Fifteen Years

I should have posted this on the 15th year anniversary of the attacks on September 11th, but we can still show respect and remembrance at any time of the year.

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In memory of those lost in the attacks 15 years ago and of the heroes and first responders who gave their all --- on the ground and in the air.

American Airlines Flight 11:
Captain John Ogonowski
First Officer Thomas McGuinness
Flight Attendants: Barbara Arestegui, Jeffery Collman, Sara Low, Karen Martin, Kathleen Nicosia, Betty Ann Ong, Jean D. Roger, Diane Snyder, Madeline Amy Sweeney.


United Airlines Flight 175:
Captain Michael Saracini
First Officer Michael Horrocks
Flight Attendants: Robert Fangman, Amy Jarret, Amy King, Kathryn Laborie, Alfred Marchand, Michael Tarrou, Alicia Titus.

American Airlines Flight 77:
Captain Charles Burlingame III
First Officer David Charlebois
Flight Attendants: Michele Heidenberger, Jennifer Lewis, Kenneth Lewis (wife & husband), Renee May.

United Airlines Flight 93:
Captain Jason Dahl
First Officer LeRoy Homer, Jr.
Flight Attendants: Deborah Welsh, Sandy Bradshaw, CeeCee Lyles, Lorraine Bay, Wanda Green.

The pilots and flight attendants were indeed the first responders to these attacks. In his last efforts, Captain Dahl switched the flight deck radio direction to transmit messages from the hijackers directly to air traffic control. Purser Deborah Welsh protected the flight deck until the hijackers overtook her. Flight attendants Betty Ong and Amy Sweeney relayed important information such as the seat numbers and descriptions of the hijackers by use of airphones to airline officials. They attended to their injured colleagues and passengers. They moved passengers away from the tear gas used by the hijackers in the first class cabins of the aircraft. CeeCee Lyles and Sandy Bradshaw boiled hot water to use against the hijackers and secured the beverage carts that the passengers used to break down the flight deck door to regain control of Flight 93. Even in the face of danger, they selflessly remained at their posts and had the safety of others as their priority.

An American flag waves over gate A17 at Newark Liberty International Airport where United Airlines Flight 93 departed for the last time. Photo taken by author.

Episode Twelve: Watching Sully

I remember playing outside on January 15, 2009 when my mom called me in the house. I went in the living room where she was standing watching the news. On the TV was US Airways Flight 1549 (AWE 1549), an Airbus A320, bobbing in the Hudson River with passengers standing on both of the wings. Everyone survived. No other aircraft in aviation history had safely ditched without any loss of life until this event. It truly was a miracle.

Captain Sullenberger and First Officer Skiles successfully landed their stricken airliner on the only runway they deemed the safest and most suitable: the wide Hudson. Sully strategically positioned the aircraft to land near a ferry terminal and piers where boats and rescuers could arrive quickly to save passengers. Sully is a hero, and rightfully so. He is the definition of a professional and experienced airman and should proudly wear that title.

I went to see Sully just recently with another colleague of mine. The film was powerful and emotional. A few tears fell throughout the movie and the scenes on board the aircraft, at the airport, and on the ground were detailed to the finest point. From the crew uniforms, the cabin layout, to the ditching and evacuation scene, you really felt like you were aboard AWE 1549.

For the three flight attendants on Flight 1549, they have a different story than that in the flight deck. Sheila Dail, Doreen Welsh, and Donna Dent had over 90 years experience combined and successfully evacuated 150 passengers from six emergency exits. The two aft doors were not usable; Doreen blocked them and directed passengers forward as water poured in behind her. Donna and Sheila opened the two forward doors; only one slide inflated at first. The other inflated after a few moments and passengers evacuated onto the slide rafts. They had no idea the aircraft landed in water until the doors were opened. On the rescue boats, the flight attendants continued to remain in charge and help passengers with injuries, shock, and reassurance. After some time, Donna and Sheila returned to the skies. Doreen retired her wings after 40 years with US Airways and is now a public speaker.

The majority of passengers interviewed after the event admitted that they did not listen or pay attention to the safety demonstration announcement. Some did not realize they had life vests under their seat and where their nearest exit was located. They did credit the flight attendants' authoritative commands and evacuation orders in getting everyone out of the sinking aircraft to safety. No matter how many times you travel, give us two minutes of your time for your own safety. Each aircraft is different. We want you to have a relaxing flight, but don't become complacent in your travels.

I hope that I never have to hear the captain say "BRACE" over the PA. I hope I never have to chant "HEADS DOWN, STAY DOWN" repeatedly until the aircraft comes to a full stop. I hope I never have to yell "RELEASE SEATBELTS, REMAIN SEATED" as I assess the conditions outside the door I am in charge of opening. I hope I never have to shout "RELEASE SEATBELTS, COME THIS WAY" while opening the door, inflating the slide, and getting into my protective position as I command passengers to "JUMP AND SLIDE, LEAVE EVERYTHING" while constantly assessing the conditions outside the exit. I hope it never has to come to that, but if it does, your flight attendants are ready and prepared to get you to safety, sometimes at the expense of their own lives. It is morbid that we think of a possible evacuation during every takeoff and landing, but that is our job, and that is what we are trained for.

Sully is not a movie about an airplane accident. Nor is it a fictionalized portrayal of one. It details the personal emotions and scenarios passengers and crew faced on that day, and the NTSB investigation to unearth Sully's decisions. His decisions, along with the training of all flight crew members and the will of the passengers to survive, makes Flight 1549 a truly remarkable and infamous event not only in the history of aviation but in the history of the world.


The crew of US Airways 1549. Taken from the National Air and Space Museum Website

Things I Have Been Asked By Memphis Passengers

1. Do we have ice cream on board?
2. What flavor wings come in the wings pack? (The pack gets its name from the kid wings in it)
3. Another cup of ice
4. Why I gotta put my bag under the seat?
5. Empty cups for pineapple chunks
6. More empty cups for pineapple chunks.
7. If I could pass said filled cups to travelers in the same party but in three sections of the plane
8. Dr. Pepper
9. Diet Dr. Pepper
10. Can you heat up my food?
11. It's cold in here
12. It's hot in here
13. Why must I lift up my Disney blanket for you to see my seatbelt?

Episode Eleven: Being the Bad Guy

I hate being the bad guy. I've been referred to by passengers as "steward," "seatbelt officer," "trash man," and the ever charming "young man," but I have also been called "the mean man" on at least two occasions. Both times involved children, but I was not the one being mean. At all.

On a recent flight from Asheville to Fort Lauderdale, I was preparing the cabin for landing. I was flying the lead position that day and I was making my final cabin checks. Nearing row 30, I noticed a toddler standing in his seat without a seatbelt. I kindly asked the mother to make sure he was safely seated for landing.

"I'm trying, but he pooped himself."

I nodded and said I understood, but I did need him seated for landing.

"Oh he will sit. That is his punishment. I asked him many times if he had to go potty and he said 'no,' but he did and now he has to sit in it."

I nodded again and kept smiling. I directed my attention to the little boy.

"Buddy, would you please sit down for me? That would be very helpful and nice of you!"

The mom interrupted. "Yeah, sit down before the mean man yells at you. He is going to yell at you if you don't sit down! He's going to yell at you so loudly. Do you want to be yelled at?"

While she was scaring her child into sitting--instead of putting on the parent hat and making sure he sat down--I kept smiling at the boy. He began to look scared as she kept telling him how mad I was going to be towards him if he did not sit. He finally did sit down, and I said in my most cheerful voice--"thank you, buddy!"

I looked at the mother who was now smiling at me.

"I don't yell at children, ma'am."

I continued back towards the front of the cabin to take my jumpseat for landing. My job is not to be mean to passengers. I am not on the plane to threaten you, scare you, or make your trip unpleasant. My job is to keep you safe, and I do it in the most pleasant way possible. Sure there can be a stern warning here and there, but I have never raised my voice at a passenger, let alone a child. I find more fault with the parents who let their child do whatever he or she wants.....such as letting him or her wander to the bathroom when we are 500 feet off the ground. I do understand that a two-and-a-half year old will have trouble sitting down for a long time, but the response "he/she won't let me" to my earnest pleas does not find favor with me.

It has been shown that kids do sometimes listen better to other adults in-charge than their parents. I have no reservations about calmly coaxing a child to sit down, but I suppose it is easier for the parent to make me the bad person. It's quicker and I understand. I just don't like it.

When performing cabin compliance, I hear parents tell their children to quickly put their bag under the seat in front of them or "that man will yell at you." My coworkers have experienced similar instances and they feel the same way. We aren't here to be mean to you, and we aren't here to scold your child. But I have witnessed other crew members yell at passengers for the most simplest of things. There are different ways we can handle situations on board the aircraft, and this recent trend of people equating flight attendants with being "mean" must mean that some are indeed being mean. (mean, mean, mean).

I found that the best way to keep kids in their seat on an airplane is by bringing an approved child restraint system (CRS), such as an approved car seat or a CARES harness. There is a sense of normalcy for the child in the CRS instead of being lost in the bigger airplane seat. It is also safer for the child during all phases of flight as kids sometimes fidget or wiggle out of the seatbelt. I have a fellow FA friend on a flight where the parents took the child out of the seatbelt during landing and when the aircraft touched down, the child fell forward out of the seat and knocked himself into the seat in front of him. He was injured and the routine landing then turned into a medical situation.

In certain situations, I do have to be the bad guy. If you are caught smoking on my plane (which has happened three times so far), then I will have to ask you for your ID and then write a report for the FAA. If you refuse to comply with crewmember instructions or become disruptive on the plane, then you will face the likelihood of not travelling that day. Flying has become stressful for passengers, and this is the excuse that I hear most often. I read an article about "stress-free flying" and basically it stated to just follow the rules. Do your homework when booking on another airline. Is there a bag fee? What will be offered during the flight? Get to the airport early to allow time for check-in, bag drop, TSA lines, and possible parking congestion. Always remember that aircraft doors close at least ten minutes prior to the departure time listed on your ticket. Follow the instructions given by your crew. All of these wrapped together makes for stress-free flying, for you and for your fellow passengers. Just don't mistake someone doing their job for "being mean," and for parents travelling with small children, take advantage of your crew's knowledge and help and let your child know we are there for everyone's safety and comfort, not to be mean and scary.

And on our part, we can strive to modify our tones and attitude when instructing passengers to stow a bag or fasten their seat belt. Tone is the most important factor in language. I could be saying "have a nice day," but it is the tone of my voice that conveys the meaning. My recurrent training class has a section devoted entirely to tone and word choice in de-escalating situations, and the training has proved to be beneficial in many situations I have encountered. And I can safely say that yelling at children is not in my manual.

Episode Ten: My One Year Anniversary

May 11th marked my official one year anniversary with my company. I'm no longer a new hire! I cannot believe how fast this year has flown by [you get it ;)]. It has been a very busy year filled with new opportunities and adventures, and the flight attendant lifestyle is still enjoyable and fun as my first day on board. I've since added my one-year anniversary pin to my crew lanyard proudly displayed next to my first pin I received during my training class.

During the summer months, my airline operates a seasonal base in South Carolina. Instead of hiring new flight attendants and pilots to service this base, the company allows current crew members to bid for the opportunity to temporarily move to the summer base. Normally, these opportunities are presented to crew members at our larger bases in Orlando, Tampa, and Las Vegas. However, there were three spots open for Fort Lauderdale based flight attendants to be based in South Carolina for two months. I was debating whether or not I should bid for this event. I had heard good things about the summer base from those who worked there last year, so I submitted my request to see if I had the chance of receiving the assignment. I am number 24 out of 40 at my base, so I knew that my chances were somewhat slim since there were only three open spaces with 23 other flight attendants above me. However, I received the assignment and was scheduled to be in South Carolina for June and July.

Almost a month has gone by and I am enjoying my time in SC. The airline put us up in nice condos on a golf course only about a mile and a half from the beach. I'm at the bottom of the seniority list during this assignment, so I hold a pure reserve (on-call) line for June and July. I don't mind being on reserve; it's actually a nice change of pace from having a working line. I've been called about six or seven times this month and I picked up two trips on my off days. Most of my time is spent at the pool, beach, and driving range, with the occasional putt-putt golf trip in between. There are putt-putt courses on every corner in this city, and not just small ones, but gargantuan pirate and jungle themed ones.

I've had to get use to flying on the MD-80s once again. I haven't flown on them (save for the occasional rescue flight) since August when I was based in Orlando; our Fort Lauderdale base operates purely Airbus A320 equipment. The MD-80 (lovingly referred to as the Mad Dog) is a tank of an aircraft, which is one of the reasons why I love flying on it. It almost sails effortlessly through the sky like a dream and is a smoother ride during turbulence. It is a cozier fit in the cabin than on the A320 and I've had to revert back to saying "excuse the cart, watch your elbows and knees" when doing inflight service. I think I have only hit three people by accident with the cart and/or my own elbows or legs--so far, so good. The other downfall to my love for the MD-80 is how hot it can get on board when sitting on the tarmac or at the gate during boarding and deplaning. The ground air and APU can only do so much when there are 166 humans on board and the entry door is still open. The safety information card becomes your best friend during this time. Not only does it show you valuable safety procedures but it makes for a great handy fanning device. If you are flying either the number 2 or 4 position on the aircraft, which I normally wind up doing, the card also keeps you from getting dripped on by the air conditioning when seated in the aft jumpseat in the tailcone. An umbrella and a fan--we should market it on HSN or QVC.

My love for the Mad Dog still holds true even with its quirks and mood swings. One of the MD-80s stationed here is slated for retirement at the end of the summer operation in September. It will be flown out to the desert and scrapped for parts, ending a long 27 year lifespan with over 50,000 flights. My company is beginning to retire the MD-80s at a faster pace and replacing them with newer A320s and A319s--by 2020 all our MD-80s will be retired.

I will be happy to return to Fort Lauderdale at the end of July. I have missed my family and fellow crew members, but I am very grateful for the opportunity to be stationed in South Carolina where I have met new colleagues from different bases and reconnected with those from Orlando. Besides, who isn't jealous of this being their playground:

 

Episode Nine: We Are Marshall

Tri-State Airport in Huntington, West Virginia is small. It isn't the smallest airport I've flown to, so perhaps the word "quaint" is the best way to describe it. Only my airline and American Eagle serve this airport and the thousands of people located within an hour's driving distance from the field.

The last time I was at Tri-State Airport was July 4th of last year, and instead of being on the ground for a short 40 minute turnaround, the crew and passengers were stuck there for seven hours as our aircraft suffered a mechanical problem. The gate agents and ground staff were exceedingly courteous and welcoming--they lent us flight attendants a car so we could grab food at one of the area's finest eateries. We found a Taco Bell about ten minutes from the airport, and this was the fanciest Taco Bell I have ever seen. It had a waterfall adjacent to the drive-thru lane and a covered terrace dotted with plants and bushes where patrons could dine on Chalupas al fresco.

On the way to the restaurant and back to the airport, we drove up and down steep hills and curved roads. The flying public normally tends to think of airports being either near a large metropolis or at least founded on a smooth, flat surface. For the majority of airports, this is true. Tri-State Airport has the opposite layout; the ends of the main runway are marked by steep drops and the reduced runway length leads for little margin of error. During our extended delayed sit at the airport, we talked with the ground staff and airport operations team while simultaneously playing a game of cornhole near the baggage offload area on the apron. By the time we were ready to depart, it was night. Rain began to fall and fog began to roll in. I heard one of the ground staff remark: "this reminds me of Marshall."

On the night of November 14, 1970, Southern Airways Flight 932 crashed into a hill short of the runway at Tri-State Airport in adverse weather conditions. The chartered DC-9 was carrying the Marshall University football team, along with coaches and other supporters. All 71 passengers, including the two pilots and two flight attendants, perished in the accident. Almost 46 years later, the tragedy still is fresh in the minds of those who remember it most--foremost on the minds of those who tried to help at the accident site. The ground agent explained that everyone in Huntington can remember what they were doing and where they were when the accident happened, almost like us asking each other where we were when the Towers were hit.

I worked a recent flight to Huntington just this past week. Before we began our initial descent, the captain informed us that there were heavy storms over and near the field. We had one chance to land, and if we had to abort the landing, we would have to divert to Lexington to get more fuel. He didn't seem too optimistic as he explained this over the PA to the passengers, but everyone understood. I took my jumpseat prior to landing as we weaved around dark clouds.  It was a bumpy approach, and looking out of the forward entry door window I could only catch glimpses of land before the rain and fog covered it again. I thought to myself how the weather reminded me of the gate agent's account of the Marshall accident. As we were descending lower and lower, I felt that we would not be able to land. The conditions didn't seem to be improving and the rain was falling harder. I began reviewing my evacuation commands and procedures in my head and got into my brace position. The wheels hit the runway and we began decelerating. Relieved passengers started applauding as we taxied towards the terminal.

As the passengers deplaned, many of them popped their heads into the flight deck to thank the captain and first officer for a safe landing. One couple was left on the aircraft--the gentleman was waiting for the wheelchair to arrive while his wife stood next to him near the entry door. By that time, the captain had joined us flight attendants in the forward galley. The woman came nearer and shook the captain's hand to thank him for the landing.

"While we were landing," she said, "I couldn't help but think of Marshall. It was raining like this that night." She asked if any of us had heard of the accident, and I nodded my head.

"My husband," she said while motioning to the gentleman seated at the bulkhead, "was one of the first responders. He was the chief of police in Huntington, and he tried to save people. We all remember that night."

When the wheelchair arrived, I went over to the man and helped him up. I held out my hand and thanked him for his efforts to help at the accident site.

"I still remember it like it was yesterday," he replied. "Thank you for getting us here safely."

We had a two hour sit in Huntington as we waited for the Orlando inbound plane to arrive to swap aircraft. While eating in the airport restaurant, the storm passed by as quickly as it came, and the sun began to shine.

There are many plaques and memorials honoring the Marshall team and those lost in the accident throughout Huntington. It is their sadness, but also the time when communities came together to help each other ease the pain and grief. Tri-State Airport is quaint, but it has a momentous place in sport, state, and aviation history.

Here's a portrayal of the accident scene from the 2006 movie "We Are Marshall." It isn't the best quality but incredibly emotional: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2seTQpI8_-k.

Episode Eight: My First Charter

Not only does my airline offer scheduled service to over 100 destinations in the United States, it also offers charter service for a wide variety of companies, organizations, and travel agencies all throughout the year. I've heard of crew members spending three days in San Francisco, a weekend in New York City, and even time in New Orleans on these almost coveted charter flights. For instance, during March Madness, crews at our larger bases have the opportunity to bid for basketball charter trips, and sometimes the trip pairings for charter flights outnumber those for scheduled passenger service.

Our base in South Florida is an intimate group of about forty flight attendants. I was disappointed to see that no charters were scheduled at our base during March; I was anxious to experience the overnights and fun-filled atmosphere these flights offered. Then in mid-March, reserve crews at my base were called to work an unscheduled spontaneous charter to Oregon. Only then did I secretly wish I was back on reserve (shudder).

I had a week off for my birthday (it randomly happened in the bidding process; I honestly put my preference to work the longest four-leg trip as that day's priority, but the software decided otherwise) and after three days off, I saw a post from a senior flight attendant in our crew scheduling portal that she wanted to give away a two day charter flight. I had the days off, and I figured, WHY NOT!? I messaged her immediately and after checking with crew services, I was given the trip.

The charter comprised of a ferry flight from Fort Lauderdale to Indianapolis with the flight attendants, two pilots, a mechanic, and the charter representative, with a fourteen hour layover in the city. The next day we were to shuttle a group of car racing specialists to Alabama and then ferry the empty plane back to Fort Lauderdale. I had never been to Indianapolis (only on working flights) and was excited to see what the city would be like.

On our way to Indianapolis, I was able to sit in the flight deck during takeoff and landing (since there weren't any passengers aboard the aircraft). I had done this twice previously on our MD-80 aircraft, so being in the Airbus A320 during these phrases of flight was something new and absolutely breathtaking. We were welcomed in Indianapolis by one of the fancy-schmancy fixed-base operators (FBOs) catering to private clients. In a private van we were shuttled to our hotel, which was right near the airport.

Pulling up to the hotel, I knew this was going to be a very interesting experience. Apparently, my airline was performing this charter flight to help out another charter airline that could no longer do the flight. Therefore, we stayed in the accommodations provided by the other airline, and let's say the hotel was very much like the one in The Shining.

We were all given suites on the first floor in the "newer" wing of the hotel (which was a lengthy walk through weaving corridors) and I found myself in front of my designated room. I slid the keycard, opened the door, and was greeted by the following:

1. a large suitcase, opened with blue jeans draped across it, perched on a luggage rack
2. a large pile of sheets on the floor
3. a large array of clothing strewn on the bed
4. a large man standing in the middle of the room

"Oh, excuse me. I thought this room was vacant."

I closed the door and turned back towards the lobby. Two housekeepers were in the next room over.

"I am supposed to be in room 106 but it is still occupied"

"Yes sir, it is occupied."

".........okay"

So I trekked back to the lobby with my crew bags in hand. The receptionist saw me come around the corner and before I even announced the problem, she started apologizing for the mix-up. I didn't see the housekeepers with radios, and I didn't tell any other staff member, so I was wondering how she already knew about the problem, but I was focused on getting a different room. She handed me a new keycard and I walked to my new room near to my original one. I had a room with two double beds with a great view of the abandoned parking deck of the old airport terminal building. Sitting down on the first bed to take off my shoes, the mattress sunk right into the bedframe. I tested out the other one and it did the same, albeit a little less pronounced. I decided that after dinner I would request another room change as I yearned for a good night sleep, especially with our 6 AM shuttle time to the airport.

I voiced my concerns to a different receptionist on staff, and immediately replied that the mattresses are air mattresses, so she would send someone up to "pump up my bed." Returning to my room, I decided to call the front desk to cancel the request as I thought I could manage sleeping on the less "airless" bed. However, the phone didn't work, so I called another flight attendant (whose room was equally appalling with water stains on the walls and ceilings and unhinged cabinets) to relay my message to the front desk. Then maintenance man came to the door (of course while I was in the restroom) to fix the phone and bed. The gentleman entered, took the phone, pushed a button, hit it, and then said it was fine. I again declined the offer to pump up the bed because I was pretty sure I was losing my sanity. To top it off, I turned on the faucet in the bathtub to take a shower, and that came off in my hand. No shower for you!

Another flight attendant and I decided to uber to Downtown Indianapolis for a little while to experience the city. We walked along the hipster part of town on Massachusetts Avenue which was pretty live for a Wednesday evening. It was exciting to be in a different city and see what it has to offer even for just a short period of time.

The next day, we worked the short charter flight from Indianapolis to Alabama, and then ferried the aircraft back to Fort Lauderdale. I again was able to sit in the flight deck for landing in Fort Lauderdale. We flew along the coastline, turning towards the Everglades, and made a 180 degree turn to line up for runway 10 left. Arriving around noon, the airport was not as busy as usual, but the chatter on the radio was incessant and captivating.

Even though the accommodations were interesting to say the least, working my first charter flight was such a rewarding and enjoyable experience. Being in the flight deck during takeoff, climb, descent, and landing was like being a kid in a candy store. Plus spending time walking around a new city was equally fun and exciting. Maybe in the near future another senior flight attendant will think of me, a lowly mid-senior new hire, and offer their charter trip. I'll just have to wait and see.

Episode Seven: The Cup

I can't think of a great introduction for this story, so let's just begin:

It was the return trip from Michigan to Fort Lauderdale and I was working as the lead flight attendant in the forward cabin. The gentleman arrived at the boarding door in a wheelchair; he was, what crew would say, a 'customer of size." Standing by the boarding door, I offered my hand to the gentleman as he raised himself from his wheelchair. He graciously accepted, and as I helped him into the cabin, he stopped in the middle of the forward galley and let go of my hand.

"I have seat 1F," he stated.

"Great," I replied, "you are right here in the front row."

"I'm not going to fit there. You need to find me a different seat."

"Okay, sir, we will try our best to accommodate you." I smiled.

"I need to use the restroom."

I pointed to the lavatory directly behind him in between the galley and flight deck while questioning my own sanity as to this exchange and how we were already out of orange juice from the previous flight. I focused my attention back to the new wave of passengers coming down the jetbridge as general boarding had commenced. 

We were expecting a completely full flight---177 passengers with carry-on bags makes for a slow boarding process, no matter how many "welcome aboard" announcements I make on the PA system.

The gentleman emerged from the lavatory and stood in the galley next to me. In his hand was a small, white coffee cup, like one would get from Starbucks. He turned to me and held the cup about five inches from my face.

"This is my urine cup," he triumphantly exclaimed. "You see, I'm too big to use the facilities on the plane. So I pee in this here cup and dump it in the toilet."

I really didn't know how to respond, and wasn't sure if asking why he didn't use the facilities in the terminal instead was appropriate customer service, so I just smiled and said "oh, great, okay." He again reminded me that he would not be able to fit in his assigned seat, but I had him stay there for the time being as boarding continued. He coughed, cut off a woman, pushed by a small child, and took his seat in the first row at the bulkhead. Once boarding had finished, I moved him to an aisle seat in a free row so he could be more comfortable. He passed me by to visit the on-board convenience during the flight as I ate my breakfast in the forward galley; he stopped to smile and shook his cup. 

Fast forward one week. I was rostered for the same trip up to Michigan. On this flight, I was working as flight attendant #2 in the back of the plane. While assisting other passengers during boarding, I noticed the same man standing in the middle of the aisle not allowing other passengers to pass by. 

"Sir, please take your seat so the other passengers may board."

"Steward, you need to find me a different seat. I won't fit in this one."

Instead of having seat 1F, he now had 16D in the middle section of the cabin. I told him I would help find a different seat, but for now, he had to take his assigned seat and step out of the aisle. He complied and boarding continued. 

"I remember you," he said as I stood a few rows behind him. "We did this last time," he laughed.

"Yes. We did." I was not laughing.

After boarding was complete, he decided seat 16D was fine, so there he remained for the flight. I told the rest of the crew members about his escapades from last week. They could not believe that urine cup guy was actually here. 

Towards the middle of the flight, the gentleman got up from his seat and began making his way towards the back lavatories. I could see a cup in his hand, but this one was different. He had upgraded to a clear plastic tall drink cup, and I was pleased to see he was doing well for himself. Hiding against my jumpseat and the R2 exit door, I heard him enter the lavatory and lock the door. I didn't want to have another close encounter with the cup, so I walked up to the forward galley where the other three flight attendants were eating. 

Ten minutes later, flight attendant #4 and I walked back to the back galley to prepare for landing, which included lavatory checks. She opened the door.

"Oh, someone left a cup in here on the vanity."

I spun around and shouted "NO. DON'T TOUCH IT!"

I took a better look in the lavatory and it was indeed the gentleman's newest urine cup displayed on the vanity for us cabin crew members to find and dispose. I wanted to bring the cup back to its rightful owner, but I thought that taking a picture with it would be a better idea before throwing it away.

Right as I was going to use the forward lavatory after the passengers deplaned, the captain called me into the flight deck.

"Hey, the First Officer and I just want to make sure you have a cup to use."

They were still laughing when I locked the lavatory door shut. 

Episode Six: Compliance and Vaporization

As I said before, my job is all about safety. Many passengers think of me as their personal servant: "stow my bag, sir; bring me another drink, sir; take my trash, right now." Service is part of the job, but flight attendants are first responders trained in all things safety related to aircraft operations. Your safety is our priority. We have to enforce hundreds of Federal Aviation Regulations during all phases of flight, most importantly prior to takeoff and landing, the two most critical parts of air travel. Accidents can occur during these crucial phases so intense and thorough cabin preparation is essential for a safe departure.

On a recent flight to Fort Lauderdale from Columbus, we had already pushed back from the gate when I noticed a passenger without his seat belt fastened. As I walked past him to my safety demonstration position, I tapped him on his shoulder and asked him to buckle his seat belt. After the demo while performing a compliance check on my way to the aft galley to take my jumpseat, I noticed that he had not yet fastened his seat belt.

"Sir, please fasten your seat belt for departure."

"Really, what's the use? It's not going to keep me alive if we crash. We will all be vaporized."

In my almost year of flying, I've heard numerous passengers protest wearing a seat belt, but I've never had a passenger with such a positive outlook on his flight that day. This was also the last flight of the day for me, so my eight hour smile was quickly dissolving. Other passengers began looking in our direction.

"It's the law, and it will keep you safe in an accident."

He glared at me, tilted his head, and then fumbled with the shorter part of the belt as he tried in earnest to cross it over his waist.

"See, it won't fit!!"

(slight pause)

"Sir, the other part is located to your right. It will fit."

Ah, there is nothing more satisfying than the click of seat belts, and lo and behold, his buckled just right. I reminded him that his backpack needed to be under the seat in front of him. He instead moved it under his feet and folded his arms.

"No sir, under the seat in front of you."

"Are you serious!?"

"Yep."

Once his exhibition had concluded, I continued to the back and took my seat for takeoff. From this altercation, one would think that this passenger was an old, grumpy man set on being an extra-special customer. Wrong. He was in fact a college student, at least a year or two younger than me. My time at college taught me a vast amount of life lessons, but I guess the course on being extremely cynical  and refusing to comply with crewmember instructions (a federal offence) was not offered at my institution.

I do not ask passengers to do these simple tasks four to eight times a day because I want to be annoying, but because all of these Federal Aviation Regulations guarantee a safer cabin in the event of an accident.

 "Please stow all carry-on items in an overhead bin or under the seat in front of you"
       Having backpacks, purses, and other small bags placed under the seat leaves the area around   your feet clear from tripping hazards in the event of an evacuation. Also, if you have seat mates in the same row, stowing your bag keeps their egress equally clear. Promise me this, dear readers, that if you should ever be in a situation on board that requires an evacuation, LEAVE EVERYTHING! Fumbling for your bags or suitcases risks your own life and that of your fellow passengers. You cannot also safely slide down an emergency chute with a carry-on bag, again compromising the safety of other travelers. Items can be replaced; your life is precious. Sometimes passengers keep their bags in an empty seat next to them. Again, not allowed. If we hit turbulence, those items can become airborne and could hit fellow passengers. A heavy purse is even more lethal when it is traveling at hundreds of miles of hour in an enclosed cabin.

 "Please fasten your seat belts whenever you are seated and whenever the seat belt sign is on"
       Seat belts do keep you safe, college kid. In an aircraft, the seat belts are designed to keep you physically in your seat, which is the safest place for you to be while on board. Aircraft seats are specifically constructed to withstand a high amount of g-forces, whether experienced through turbulence, a hard landing, or an accident. Also, just because the fasten seat belt sign has been turned off during cruise doesn't mean that it is entirely safe. Clear air turbulence is unexpected, violent, and always poses a threat. I know of fellow crew members being thrown against the ceiling, slammed back on the floor, and then requiring hospitalization from these events. Turbulence is no joke and even though flight attendants are constantly moving around the cabin during multiple phases of flight, caution is of the utmost importance. So please, if you do not need to use the lavatory and you choose to stay seated, keep your seat belt fastened at all times.

 "Ensure that your tray tables are in their upright and locked position"
     Lowered tray tables can equally block a path of egress in the event of an evacuation. So yes, you do need to put them up. "Surely you can't be serious!" I am serious, and don't call me Shirley.

"Laptops must be placed under the seat in front of you during taxi, takeoff, and landing"
      I certainly would not like a MacBook Air Pro flying at my face as the aircraft is taking off at 160 miles an hour, would you?

Flying is the safest form of transportation in existence. Thousands of planes takeoff and land safely every single day around the world. We sometimes see aviation accidents in the news and think how these occurrences must be on the rise, but they are still very rare. Flight attendants are trained to keep you safe at all times and charged with evacuating an aircraft in less than 90 seconds should the need arise. During every takeoff and landing, flight attendants perform a mental checklist reviewing evacuation orders and procedures. I used to mouth my review, but some passengers in the front cabin would ask me if I am praying (which I do before every takeoff and landing, but in my head). Instead I fix my gaze towards the back bulkhead of the cabin and review the following:

Location and operation of emergency exits 
Which door am I in charge of? What is my secondary exit? How do I open the door and inflate the slide? What should I do if the slide does not inflate? 

Evacuation commands 
Heads down, stay down! Release seat belts, remain seated! Release seat belts, come this way! Come this way, jump and slide, leave everything! Exit blocked, go across! Exit blocked, go back/forward now!

Emergency Light Switch (ELS)
Am I in charge of initiating the emergency escape path lighting?

Passenger Count
How many passengers are on board? How many lap children? Where are the wheelchair passengers located? Which able-bodied passengers can I call on in the event of an evacuation?

Location of the aircraft
Is the aircraft over land or water? Which exits will be usable? What are my water evacuation commands? 

At the end of the day, your flight attendants have your back in all sorts of emergency situations. Along with the captain, we are the authorities in the cabin and passengers are required to comply with our instructions. And if you choose not to, you cannot fly. And if you really don't comply, you can explain your reasoning to police officers as they escort you off the plane. Imagine, if you will not listen to my request for you to fasten your seat belt, will you listen to me when I'm shouting for you to "remain seated" or "jump and slide" during an evacuation?

We love our job and we love what we do. Please help your flight attendants keep air travel safe, secure, and enjoyable not only for yourself but for your fellow passengers.

Glenda the Good Stewardess

Yes, I really am in charge, and yes, every word out of my mouth is federal law. So please, make my day :)

Episode Five: Adventures in Babysitting

One of the greatest highlights in my career is witnessing the sheer excitement passengers have when stepping on the aircraft set for vacation. From Spring Break college students to retirees yearning for sun-drenched days at the beach, their eagerness is somewhat contagious among other passengers and crew members.

My airline offers ultra low fares to vacation destinations from middle America cities, some once without regular air service, so we attract a variety of passengers. Some of our customers can finally afford a vacation; some drive more than three hours to reach the airport; some have never set foot on a plane before. I had the pleasure of welcoming an eighty-year-old man from Knoxville on his first trip on an airplane because he was finally able to afford it. I've served Make-A-Wish families travelling on momentous and unforgettable vacations to Disney World, ever so thankful for the opportunity. Every flight is a new experience with new passengers and I try in earnest to make a comfortable and enjoyable environment for them.

Children are by far my favorite type of passengers. In them I see myself as a young traveler excited more for the plane ride than for the vacation itself. I must say they are also the most attentive passengers in the cabin. While performing the safety demonstration, I catch a glimpse of them following along with the safety card unfolded in their lap (the one thing flight attendants dream their passengers would actually do) and making sure their parent or sibling also does the same. They proudly display their fastened seat belts as I perform cabin checks, and I remember hearing one young boy tell his mother "mom, the seat belt light is on. Make sure your seat belt is fastened!" I really enjoy their reactions when I answer their questions as to how high we are cruising, how fast we are flying, and yes, I have some extra wings in my bag. I don't think their smiles can be any brighter nor their eyes any wider. 

On one of my last flights when I was based in Orlando, I was flying a Cincinnati turn in the evening. We only had about thirty or so passengers on-board, but one little girl travelling with her entire family boarded already wearing a set of airplane wings.

"Well, I didn't know we had another crew member travelling with us tonight. Would you be able to help me later on with some flight attendant duties?"

She beamed up at me and nodded. Her mother smiled behind her saying "wouldn't that be lovely!"

After we completed the beverage service, I asked the girl if she was ready to perform cabin duties with me. I handed her some gloves and we, along with her dad who was taking pictures, walked down the aisle collecting some used service items from the passengers. 

I reminded her that "no matter how stinky the garbage may be, we always say 'thank you' and smile."

When we got to the aft galley, we put away the trash and then proceeded to check the lavatories to make sure everything was in working order and that nothing suspicious was inside. I then took her on a grand tour of the flight attendant stations and galley area. We took a look at emergency equipment, the jumpseat, the interphone, and how to stock the beverage carts for the next in-flight service. As she and her dad walked back towards their seats, I got on the PA and made an announcement to the cabin introducing our newest flight attendant. The cabin erupted in applause and some passengers gave her high-fives. She, and her family, were all smiles for the rest of the trip.

I've noticed that passengers, especially mothers, are very comfortable asking a flight attendant to watch their child, or children, so that a quick trip to the lavatory could be possible. At one point, I held a woman's newborn baby as she settled into her seat, and I think I told the other flight attendant to take my picture so I could show my mom; another time I sat with a very happy toddler as his mom went to change her other child's diaper. One boy thought it was so cool that I spoke French like himself on a recent flight to Montréal that he gave me stickers and high-fived me each time I passed by him. 

Providing sincere and impeccable customer service is an integral part of being a flight attendant. It is hard sometimes to maintain such a level after flying for twelve hours or in the process of dealing with irate customers, but I have learned that a smile or even a simple "how are you" goes a long way. I try to be as nice to kids on-board as other flight attendants were to me. Who knows, these kids could be my co-workers in years to come. By that time, I'd like to be senior enough to hold Christmas off :)

-EJ

Little Me

One of this blog's followers, and a fellow crew member, requested to see a picture of me from when I would "play airplane" by rearranging dining chairs into an aircraft cabin. The best I could come up with is me dressed as a US Airways captain for Halloween when I was about ten years old. I still have the hat! And those plastic wings are now vintage as US Airways is now merged with American Airlines :/

Episode Four: The Vomiter

During the month I was on reserve in Fort Lauderdale, I was called in for trips maybe three or four times. On other reserve days, I stayed home and did errands. As I only live about five minutes from the airport, I didn't have any constraints to be at the gate within 90 minutes when on-call.

One day in September I was called for a double trip to Indianapolis, IN and Lexington, KY. For the first half of the day, my position was as the lead flight attendant (LFA). After returning back to Fort Lauderdale to prepare for the next trip to Lexington, the number three flight attendant (#3) volunteered to switch positions with me. I was very appreciative for her mercy on a new-hire, and since both positions were stationed in the front of the aircraft, I agreed. 

The flight was fairly full and we finished service about 40 minutes into the flight. I was in the forward galley sitting next to the LFA when the interphone rang. She answered and motioned with her finger that it was a call from the other two flight attendants in the aft galley. I nodded and began to restock the beverage cart. 

She then gasped and said "oh my God, I'll be right there."

"What's going on?" I asked, a bit shocked.

"Someone just threw up all over flight attendant #2."

The LFA grabbed some paper towels from the galley and ran to the back of the plane. I stayed up at the front for security reasons and kept smiling at the rows of passengers staring at me. I don't know which was more painful: the stares or my forced smile.

After a few moments, the LFA interphoned me and asked me to bring more paper towels, sani-wipes, trash bags, and the infection control kit (the "ick" kit) from the forward overhead compartment. She returned to the front and I went to the back to help clean.

I was greeted by twelve passengers crying and reaching out for the sani-wipes in my hands. A passenger to my right in 30A was not wearing any pants and was frantically wiping her arms with a paper towel. The aisle was covered in paper towels and the aft galley walls and carts were doused in vomit. It really looked like someone had died back there.

The passenger who had this unfortunate and surreal episode had thrown up on the last two rows of the plane (occupied by the twelve passengers). In his haste to reach the back lavatories, he entered into the galley and projectile vomited in a 360 degree fashion over the compartments and the number two flight attendant. Graciously, the gentleman offered to assist in the clean-up process. I passed out the sani-wipes to the contaminated passengers and they scrubbed their skin and clothes for the remainder of the flight.

We managed to clean up as much as we could with our supplies, but we asked the captain to let Lexington know that we needed cleaners. After the passengers deplaned, I asked the gate agent if the cleaners would be here shortly. She presented a man, with a single broom, who exclaimed he was the cleaner and "where the spill was located." I smiled, looked at the broom (which would accomplish nothing), and said "we no longer need your service. Thank you."

Thankfully, the return flight was uneventful. But we did give the galley the best wipe-down it probably had ever received in years. 

My favorite telling of this story comes from flight attendant #4 who was in the back with #2 during the event:

"Okay so, EJ, you seen me up here getting my food from the oven. I took my food and went to the back, sat in my seat, and was about to dig in to the blessing in front of me. Number 2 said 'oh, that smells wonderful" and I replied 'yes, would you like a bite?' She said 'oh, no thank you.' So I get my fork and put a potato on it. I'm so ready for this food, and how about this man gonna come back here and start throwing up all over the place. It was like something out of a horror movie. I turned against the exit door and put my jacket over my face. I didn't even get to eat."

-EJ

Episode Three: Live Animals

I really like animals. I love dogs, cats are fine, and the occasional rabbit is equally agreeable with me. But when there is an animal on-board an aircraft, that is a completely different story. Mostly because of the passenger handling the animal, or as some refer to them, their "child."

Ma'am, I hate to break it to you, but that is not your child. It is an animal and it needs to be in its carrier under the seat in front of you for the duration of the flight. I'm not telling you this because I don't like your pet, but because it is one of the Federal Aviation Regulations I must enforce to keep you, and 150 other passengers, safe. Normally, passengers understand and comply, but there have been instances when such a simple request has led to absolute insanity. 

--------------------------------------

I picked up an Austin trip on one of my days off to earn some extra money. My crew was excellent and I had flown with them before, but as seniority states, I had the last pick of the four flight attendant positions on-board the plane. We were on an MD-80 and I was stuck with position number four (#4) in the tailcone. I didn't mind being seated in the back between the two lavatories and slowly becoming deaf from the roar of the two engines mounted on the back of the plane; it was actually kind of peaceful and serene. Plus the number two flight attendant (#2) seated next to me was a fellow anthropology major like myself, so we had good conversation. 

My position as #4 during the beverage service was at the forward side of the serving cart with #2 on the other side. We worked aft to front starting with row 37 and ending at around row 18. Passing row 28, I noticed a passenger with an orange cat on his lap. Passengers are allowed to have service animals or emotional support animals out on their laps during the flight, so I opted to check the manifest at the end of the beverage service to verify if the cat was a service animal. As #2 passed the gentleman, she immediately informed him that the cat must remain in the carrier for the flight. He hesitated, looked at #2, took the cat by the neck, and stuffed it in the carrier. We finished service and #2 told me she already informed the passenger prior to takeoff that the cat had to be in the carrier; it wasn't a service animal. 

Later on in the flight nearing initial descent, I did a trash run to the back of the plane where the large trash carts are kept. While there, a woman came to me and pulled me aside. 

"Sir, I need to tell you something."

"Yes ma'am, how can I help you?"

"There is a cat in the lavatory."

I looked at her for a moment and she stared right back. 

"I beg your pardon, ma'am."

She again said that "there is a cat in the lavatory."

She pointed to the lavatory nearest to me and motioned for me to open the door. With my hand on the handle, questioning my sanity, I imagined some feral cat leaping from side to side, meowing and clawing everything. I opened the door, looked, and to my surprise, there was indeed a cat in the lavatory. Thankfully in its carrier, but just chillin' on top of the toilet seat. The floor was covered in scat and a purple rag covered in more cat droppings was sticking out of the trash bin. I thanked the woman and picked up the interphone to inform the lead flight attendant (LFA). At the same time, #2 came to the back and I told her the situation. She opened the lavatory door, gasped, and we both began laughing.

Both #2 and I told the lead flight attendant that the cat must belong to the gentleman in row 28 as there weren't any other animals on the plane. The lead brought the man to the back as #2 and I tried our best to put on a straight face. 

LFA: "Sir, you were told to keep the cat in the carrier under the seat in front of you."

PAX: "It got sick"

LFA: "I don't care. You were told multiple times to keep the cat in the carrier under the seat."

PAX: "I don't see the big deal here."

I think at that time the LFA, #2, and I did a simultaneous eye role. 

LFA: "It is a big deal. If the cat was left unsecured in the lavatory during landing, it would have been thrown against the wall from the force. You would have had a smashed cat upon arrival. Take it back to your seat, now."

The man huffed, grabbed the carrier, and sat back down in his seat. I went up to the woman who had first told me about the cat in the lavatory; she was seated a few rows behind cat man. 

"I just have to know. Did you move the cat to use the restroom? There was another one right across the aisle."

"Oh, sir, I just really had to go!"

The back of the plane erupted into laughter, as they were witnesses to the event, as cat man placed his head in his palms. 

"I don't know how you do it, sir," she replied.

I smiled. "I don't know either." 

-EJ

Episode Two: Seniority

Seniority in the flight attendant realm dictates everything: your schedule, your hours, your days off; basically your life. Flight attendants who have high seniority--the infamous "senior mamas"--have first pick on trips and days off when the monthly bidding period comes out. For the new-hires, we are left with either the trips no one wants or endless months and years on reserve.

Ah, reserve life. I miss it to an extent, but I do not miss the daily calls from crew scheduling giving me 90 minutes to be at the airport for a trip. At my airline, we have reserve periods from 4:00 AM to 6:00 PM or 10:00 AM to 12:00 AM, and depending on what period you are scheduled for, you can be called at any moment during those hours for a trip. That's right, if it is 11:58 PM and scheduling calls you for a horribly delayed Memphis turn, you are legal and must do the trip. I was only on reserve for three months. I always knew what days I would be on call, but it was the waiting for a call or the intense paranoia of missing a call that drove me insane. For flight attendants who lived at most 90 minutes away from the airport, which a majority did, they were trapped at home on reserve days. If they did manage to go grocery shopping, the minute the phone rang, they had to leave the cart filled with food in a random aisle and change into their uniform in the bathroom. 

My ringtone for crew scheduling was, and still is, a tornado siren. Every day I was on reserve, I would turn my phone's volume all the way up so even if the phone was in my pocket or in a different room, I would hear the call. If a reserve flight attendant misses a call, crew scheduling leaves a message and there is a ten minute window to return the call. If not, the flight attendant is marked as a "no-show" and has four points taken against him/her. At sixteen points, you are terminated. When I was in Orlando, I was on pure reserve from 10:00 AM to 12:00 AM, and scheduling called me virtually every day. It was exciting to receive the first few calls. I wondered where I would be flying, what aircraft, and especially with whom. During my time in Orlando, I was number 177 out of 177--at the very bottom of the totem pole. For the two months I was there, I didn't even bother bidding, save for days off I wanted.  Now almost after a year flying and at a different base, I'm number 24 out of 42. Bidding is always an exciting time and process, and I generally am awarded the certain flights and days off I choose. 

There are flight attendants at other airlines, larger than mine, who have been on reserve for years and even decades. I am thankful that after three months I received a flying line. It added more structure to daily life, but I do miss the spontaneity of being on reserve.  For those still on reserve, your time will come. We all have been there at some point, so we understand the struggle. Give it six months, and by that time, six more months will make a year. Soon thereafter you should get a flying line, and if your airline has done some aggressive hiring like some have recently, your seniority will shoot up in no time. A few more years and you'll be a coveted "senior mama":)

-EJ

Episode One: In the Beginning

I left for flight attendant training less than a week after graduating from college. It happened in a whirlwind, but it was entirely worth it! My airline hired me a month or so before I graduated school, so during the last few months at university, I kept thinking about training and what to expect. Scenes from the television program "Flight Attendant School"--which documented the lives of cabin crew trainees for Frontier Airlines--kept playing in my mind. Then came the emails with study materials: 50+ airport codes, 24 hour clock diagrams, aircraft terminology, and uniform/grooming guidelines. The few days before my flight to our Las Vegas training headquarters were spent studying and packing for a new adventure and new home.

When I was hired, our Fort Lauderdale base, where I live, did not have any openings. The closest and most convenient option, in my mind, was Orlando where the airline operates its biggest base. I had the ability to put in a base transfer after training graduation, so I kept that idea in the back of my mind. Living for five weeks in a hotel room with another trainee in Las Vegas was a huge adjustment. It was a bit like being back at college, but even there I had my own room and a somewhat regular schedule. My roommate was also from Orlando, but he was to be based in Las Vegas to start a new chapter in his life. Our class of over forty trainees was very diverse in age, race, background, and reasons as to why being a flight attendant was their goal. Some were retired, some had two jobs, and others had worked for previous airlines. For the most part, my fellow trainees were here with the goal of graduation in mind. Our instructors made it very clear that this time was not a vacation as Las Vegas will always be here after graduation. 

Training involved long twelve hour days filled with hands-on activities and class lectures. Our instructor was amazing and she really helped us all along the way. Other flight attendant classes before and after us did not have our instructor, but many of them told me they secretly wished they had. We had to abide by the airline's grooming policy during training, and even the slightest of slip-up resulted in a write-up. Punctuality was also of the utmost importance. Tardiness was not accepted, and if you were late, you were sent home. We also had to maintain 90 percent or better on all exams, written and oral, and sometimes there were two or more exams a week. 

We formed study groups to help each other tackle the massive amounts of information. My airline has three main types of aircraft: the MD-80, the Boeing 757, and the Airbus A319/A320. Training involved safety knowledge on all types. From aircraft layout to evacuation commands, cabin preparation for an emergency, and door operating procedures (as all varied based on the specific aircraft), afternoons and nights were spent drawing diagrams and inventing jingles or songs to make the information stick. 

Many people think being a flight attendant is being a "waitress/waiter in the sky." While service is indeed a part of my job, passenger safety is my priority and my career's raison d'être. In order to graduate, flight attendants are required to pass certain rigorous training exercises to prepare us to fight an on-board fire, perform CPR and AED life-saving aid to passengers, evacuate 177 or more passengers in less than 90 seconds on land and/or on water, and to protect the flight deck and other passengers through self-defense techniques. We also have to be familiar with hundreds of Federal Aviation Regulations and airline procedures. I wish training was just about serving cokes and collecting trash. If it were, our class would not have lost over ten trainees who could not compete with the tests, drills, and information. 

The day I had my wings pinned to my uniform was a momentous occasion. The hard work had paid off and I was excited to start flying. The next step was to move to Orlando where I had to report for my Initial Operating Experience (IOE) in less than a week. I didn't even have a secure place to stay! But for some reason, it didn't matter. I was ready to live in an airport hotel or crash on a friend's couch. I had good faith that something would work out, and something very much did. I stayed in a crashpad just minutes from the airport owned by a captain for the airline. Originally I was to live with two other guys, but the room wasn't then vacant. Instead, I lived with the captain, his wife, and his mother in their own house. I was treated more as a member of the family than a tenant, which made the transition so much easier.

After two and a half months in Orlando, I transferred back home to Fort Lauderdale. The FLL base is smaller and I enjoy that attribute. I know all of my fellow flight attendants and the twenty or so pilots we have based here, so flying together is more like a family trip than working with a series of complete strangers. 

Aviation has always been a passion of mine, and even when I was little, I would rearrange the dining room into an aircraft cabin and attend to my stuffed animal passengers; grandma would also play along and would be my first-class passenger. I truly love my career and the opportunities it has given me. It's so worth the 10 hour days, unexpected reroutes, late-night arrivals, delays, and disgruntled/insane passengers, more of whom you will encounter on this blog. 

Thanks for taking the time to read!

-EJ