Both a Flight Attendant and a Marathon Runner

As part of the May 31 Flight Attendants Day, AJet's flight attendants Kenan Karışık and Gül Erdemir shared the challenges and beautiful aspects of their profession with DHA.

Gül Erdemir, who has participated in many competitions on behalf of Turkish Airlines and achieved rankings, stated that she is currently pursuing aviation studies at her third university. Erdemir said, "I run an average of 75-80 kilometers a week, which equals about 3,200 kilometers a year. That's enough to run 76 marathons. This positively reflects on my profession and social life because it makes me more disciplined and helps me wake up as a better Gül every day."

'I SEIZE THE MOMENT AND LIVE IT TO THE FULLEST'

Describing the discipline that marathon running has brought to her life, Erdemir said, "The most important point that marathon running has taught me is that everything that starts will eventually end. This is simultaneously true when I'm performing my job, for example, during a difficult flight; there are stressful factors involved. I remind myself that everything that starts will end. Or, to give an example in the opposite direction, during a high-energy flight, it reminds me to stay in the moment and enjoy it to the fullest. At that moment, I seize the moment and live it to the fullest," she expressed.

'I FEEL VERY LUCKY AND PROUD'

Erdemir said, "Being a flight attendant is much more than just a profession for me. I want the first thing that comes to mind when anyone anywhere in the world imagines or envisions something about flight attendants to be Turkish flight attendants. I believe there are many opportunities and possibilities for this. We will continue on our path by raising the bar. In this sense, I feel very lucky and proud of the opportunity given to me. For example, when I'm running, they cheer 'Turkish Airlines on land and in the air,' and representing both my company and my country in this uniform is truly a great source of pride. I want to continue my job with this discipline and believe that everything will be much better," she said.

Regarding her marathon achievements, Erdemir said, "Three years ago, I was the first in my category among women in the Eurasia Marathon. In the last race I ran in Barcelona, I made it to the top ten. Seeing the Turkish flag in that ranking was an incredible pride. Doing this in the uniform of the Turkish Airlines Sports Club is the biggest indicator that I can carry out these two disciplines simultaneously. So, I continue to run and fly with my own wings on land," she said.

'I AM A TURKISH WOMAN WHO BELIEVES THE FUTURE IS IN THE SKIES'

Offering advice to young people, Erdemir said, "I am a Turkish woman who believes the future is in the skies. In this sense, I feel very lucky. I am obliged to do everything I can to elevate all the opportunities and possibilities presented to us to a higher level. I do this with great pleasure and pride. I plan to do the work I believe in better every day and will continue to do the work I believe in this way. I also advise our young people to be more courageous, more self-confident, and to take a step forward in the areas they believe in for themselves and all the environments they can influence," she expressed.

KARIŞIK: MY WIFE ENCOURAGED ME TO AVIATION

Kenan Karışık, a Cabin Chief who came to Turkey with his family during the Bosnian War, said he started playing football in his childhood and played for 17 years. Karışık, who stated that he played for many teams, said, "I had such a career for 17 years, including third place, first place, Super League, and second league in Turkey's professional leagues."

Regarding his transition to aviation, Karışık said, "I ended my professional football career in 2020. At that time, I still had the idea of staying in football. However, in 2022, while on vacation with my wife, we saw my cousin's post. My cousin is a flight attendant at Turkish Airlines. My wife encouraged me. At that time, I thought to myself, 'Can I do it?' It was a very different sector, something I had never considered. Then, with my cousin's encouragement, I applied for Turkish Airlines' announcement and started working," he said.

'IT'S NOT A PROFESSION THAT CAN BE DONE WITHOUT LOVE'

Karışık stated that aviation is a physically and mentally challenging profession, saying, "I have always been someone who loves to help people throughout my life. Here, being able to touch people and help them makes me happy in a spiritual sense. Aviation is truly a very challenging profession both mentally and physically. It is a profession that requires serious patience and effort. I don't think this profession can be done without love," he expressed.