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.
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