Flight attendants stay strong

MALAYSIA - National Union of Flight Attendants Malaysia (Nufam) president Ismail Nasaruddin said although saddened by the news, the crew members would continue to give their best.

He said the union sympathised with the loss and was deeply saddened by the news, and was willing to provide assistance to the families of the missing crew members.

Ismail said he had called on the families of the crew members of flight MH370 after the announcement made by the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak that the jetliner had ended in southern Indian Ocean.

He added that the affected 12 crew members were Nufam members.

Meanwhile, several MAS crew members said yesterday they were all holding on to the smallest hope that MH370 was still out there.

They said they were sceptical about the announcement that the jetliner had ended in the southern Indian Ocean, more than 2,000km off the coast of Perth.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, one steward said he would only believe the jetliner had crashed after the authorities identified the debris.

"My colleagues don't believe that the jetliner is at the bottom of the Indian Ocean. They are still holding on to the hope that the plane will be found. Until we see sign of the debris or the fuselage, only then will we believe it is gone."

His colleague, who also declined to be identified, said she was devastated when she heard the news.

"I just couldn't believe it. My colleague called me immediately after she heard the news and we both broke down. It's still difficult to accept the fact that the jetliner is missing."

Another stewardess said she found it hard to believe the passengers and crew were gone.

"I still have a glimmer of hope that the aircraft has not crashed into the Indian Ocean. I have worked with most of the crew on board (MH370) and they are like family to me. It is hard for us to accept this news.