--- title: "Ex-SQ steward, 33, gives up globe-trotting life with wife to join ICA: ‘I’m happy being grounded here’" url: "/community-voices/ex-sq-steward-33-gives-globe-trotting-life-wife-join-ica-im-happy-being-grounded-here" published: "2026-10-16T11:03:07.000Z" updated: "2026-10-16T11:26:19.000Z" section: "Community Voices" authors: ["Trixy Toh"] tags: ["community-voices","SQ","Life After Landing","SIA","steward","ICA","wife"] --- # Ex-SQ steward, 33, gives up globe-trotting life with wife to join ICA: ‘I’m happy being grounded here’ For many cabin crew members, stepping off the aircraft is just the beginning of a new journey. Introducing Stomp’s new original series, Life After Landing, where we spotlight former flight attendants who have traded the skies for unexpected careers, pursued personal passions or navigated life-changing experiences after leaving the aviation industry. For Muhammad Rafhan Bin Abdul Razak, working as a Singapore Airlines (SQ) cabin crew member meant more than travelling the world — it also gave him the chance to explore it alongside his wife. The 33-year-old met his wife during his stint at SQ, and the couple spent two years flying together after getting married. But after five years in the skies, Rafhan decided it was time for a change, leaving the airline to pursue a career with the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA). The decision meant giving up the opportunity to travel regularly with his wife, but it also brought him closer to fulfilling a long-held ambition and building a future with her. ![Ex-SQ steward ICA uniform wife skies](https://cassette.sphdigital.com.sg/image/stomp/ed4a8b8ef336c97f167d476390012afff468a592e7bbc94f65cd4c3555befd4f) *After five years in the skies, Rafhan decided it was time for a change.* ## Leaving behind life in the skies with his wife Rafhan joined SQ at the age of 23, spending the next few years flying around the world. He met his wife cabin crew training in 2019, after one of his batchmates, whom he described as his “wingwoman”, introduced them. The couple tied the knot in 2021. For two years, they flew together as a married couple under SQ’s policy allowing cabin crew spouses to align their rosters about 70 to 80 per cent of the time. ![Ex-SQ steward ICA uniform wife skies](https://cassette.sphdigital.com.sg/image/stomp/4470d4a05b3e1dba1cadfc30a5a34f20419d81ac5c372d6148690e19a3ed1cef) *The couple tied the knot in 2021.* Rafhan said their favourite destination was Switzerland, where they enjoyed taking in the scenery and going on drives. “It was like a mini honeymoon,” he said with a smile. “It was a hard decision to leave SQ because I was working with her.” Beyond travelling with his wife, Rafhan also enjoyed sampling food and cuisines from different countries. His favourite, he shared, was a simple steak in London. But the job came with sacrifices. Being away from home for extended periods of time meant missing important occasions with loved ones, including birthdays, weddings and family gatherings. But the death of a family member was what affected him the most. “All I could do was just message or video call them,” he told Stomp. After ending the calls, Rafhan said he would be left alone in his hotel room, describing the feeling as “lonesome”. Despite missing these occasions, Rafhan said his loved ones understood the demands of his job, something he remains grateful for. Around that time, Rafhan and his wife also began having serious discussions about their future and starting a family. “If we were to have kids, perhaps it’s time I get a stable job,” Rafhan said, adding that he was happy for his wife to continue flying and seeing the world on his behalf. While she fully supported his decision, Rafhan said his wife initially found it difficult to leave home for work trips without him. Over time, however, the couple adjusted to the arrangement. He also continues to accompany her on some trips, as he is still entitled to spouse travel benefits through SQ. ![Ex-SQ steward ICA uniform wife skies](https://cassette.sphdigital.com.sg/image/stomp/c558a85c4a4e917371a85f4535c2bc18bab4f38eb84d44295623d76d30d6b702) *At just 23, Rafhan joined the airline, spending the next few years flying around the world.* ## Fulfilling a long-held dream Before joining SQ, Rafhan had always aspired to serve in Singapore’s uniformed services. His interest stemmed from his national service stint with the Singapore Police Force (SPF), which inspired him to pursue a career in the sector. Rafhan initially hoped to return to the SPF but was unsuccessful in securing a position. He also applied to ICA and the Singapore Prison Service (SPS), but was unable to secure a role with either agency. He then turned to SQ, which he noted was technically a uniformed service as well, and succeeded on his first attempt. “I was very thrilled but at the same time at the back of my head, I always told myself that maybe one day in the future I can try applying again,” he said. After leaving the airline, Rafhan took a few months off to enjoy time at home while applying for jobs. During this period, he came across ICA’s recruitment advertisements online and decided to give it another shot. This time, he successfully secured a position with the agency. He said ICA appealed to him because its work differed from that of SPF, making it an attractive option. “I was so excited when I received the letter saying I got in,” Rafhan said, adding that his wife was by his side throughout the process. Having realised his aspiration of joining a uniformed service, he said he enjoys the structure and discipline of the job, as well as wearing a frontline uniform and “looking very smart”. “When family members ask me where I work, I say SPF or ICA and they say wow,” he said with a smile. He added that the interest and curiosity people showed in his work, coupled with the pride he felt wearing the uniform, gave him a strong sense of fulfilment. ![Ex-SQ steward ICA uniform wife skies](https://cassette.sphdigital.com.sg/image/stomp/30e0a8557448b742ac75d57afa982e489d30eaaa214cfa5a84785c5463b6e816) *Before joining SQ, Rafhan shared that he had always aspired to serve in Singapore’s uniformed service.* Rafhan said his loved ones were supportive of his decision, although some were surprised by the major career change. They had initially expected him to stay at SQ longer so he could continue flying alongside his wife. ## Adapting to a new environment  After completing 26 weeks of training and a further one-and-a-half months of on-the-job training, Rafhan began his career with ICA. He has now been with the agency for two years and is a Group Leader for Team Delta at Airport Command. His biggest concern about switching careers was whether he could adapt to the different working environment, given the contrast between his roles at SQ and ICA. He highlighted the difference in dealing with people, from serving passengers on board flights to interacting with travellers from all walks of life at ICA, where he also has to be firm when necessary. During his training, there were many times when Rafhan doubted himself. “There were many classes where I didn’t know whether I was able to succeed,” he said, citing law examinations as an example. Nevertheless, Rafhan persevered and adapted quickly with the support of his loved ones and colleagues, whom he described as welcoming and treating him like one of their own. He now works 12-hour shifts, with two days on duty followed by two rest days. At the start of each shift, he and his team report to the airport to draw their equipment before attending a briefing on operational updates, such as flight disruptions and international conflicts that could affect airport operations and security. Throughout their shifts, the team works to ensure ground operations run smoothly. Rafhan is stationed at the immigration counters in the arrival hall, where he conducts interviews, checks and searches to establish travellers’ intentions for entering Singapore. One of the biggest challenges he faces on the job is dealing with “unruly” travellers. He said he tries his best to remain calm, firm and professional, as situations can be unpredictable. Rafhan recalled an instance when a traveller talked back to him and raised his voice during an interview, testing his patience. With the help of his fellow officers nearby, they managed to calm the traveller down, allowing Rafhan to continue the interview properly.  “That taught me to be very patient,” he said. He also recounted a recent incident when he heard a man shouting in the arrival hall. When Rafhan looked up, he saw the man collapse to the ground and begin shaking. He suspected the man was having a seizure. He rushed over with other officers to attend to the man and immediately called for medical assistance. “Thankfully, the man regained consciousness after some time, but he was still in a daze,” he said. ![Ex-SQ steward ICA uniform wife skies](https://cassette.sphdigital.com.sg/image/stomp/6ddbe1a79c65645ea7c4f73e1e27293f9b57d50def37f98faa307f0769ea2df8) *He now works 12-hour shifts, with two days on duty followed by two rest days.* ## New challenges, but no regrets Outside work, Rafhan also had to adjust to a different routine. He explained that when he was with SQ, his workday ended once he disembarked from the aircraft, allowing him to return home and rest. With ICA, however, he has come to realise that border security is “very much a 24/7 responsibility”. As a senior officer, he has to stay connected even outside working hours to keep himself updated on developments. “So almost every day I need to follow up or check on my emails or official groups,” Rafhan said. “If there’s anything new or urgent, we need to disseminate quickly, even on my off days unless you’re overseas.” He admitted that the arrangement has affected his lifestyle slightly, as he sometimes has to bring work home. When he first joined ICA, he would occasionally have to check his emails while out having dinner or spending time with his wife. “I just told her that this is what I have to do now, I hope you understand,” he said, adding that she eventually grew accustomed to it. Despite the challenges, Rafhan tries not to bring negative emotions home. “When I come home, I see my wife and two cats, I’m happy. Why would I want to bring negativity home?” he said. So far, he has not experienced any emotional breakdowns, adding that he believes he is able to manage his emotions well. Ultimately, Rafhan said his decision to join ICA was driven by a bigger purpose — building a future with his wife. “I’m happy being grounded here. I can make sure that someone is holding the fort back home,” he said. His two years with ICA have reaffirmed his decision to make the switch, which he described as the “right choice.” “I hope I can continue for as long as I can,” Rafhan said. “After five years and five continents, I know that ICA will give me that challenge that I want to pursue.”