Almost three years later: a new me and a new airline.

It's been a long while since I've updated my blog. I somewhat lost the desire to write after the shooting at FLL in January 2017. It took some personal healing for me to get back into the rhythm of work; it even took me a while to be able to walk down to my car through baggage claim after a flight. I had visions of the horror in Terminal 2 and took a different route to the parking garage. Then one day I stood at the top of the escalator down to baggage claim, took a deep breath, and walked my usual way. I was not going to let fear get the best of me. And I yearned for something different, and something different was on its way.

Let's fast forward to December 2019. I am living in Seattle, Washington and flying for my dream airline. I left my previous airline in good standing and found that it was time for a bigger adventure. My airline has been voted the nation's best domestic airline and one of the leading international carriers. I started in February 2018 and I have the honor of being the French interpreter on the Seattle to Paris flights. Nearing two years since my date of hire, it has been two years of excitement, new adventures, and a whole lot of fun--with some challenges in between.

Seattle!? I know, the complete opposite side of the country from where I grew up and worked. I was sent to our Seattle base because there weren't enough French speakers to cover the operation. Even though I was hired without my language qualifications, I took the speaker exam at my face-to-face interview after being offered the position of flight attendant. After passing the exam, I was labeled as a French LOD (language-of-destination) flight attendant and was to report to Seattle after completing initial training.

I enjoyed training so much. Eight weeks of non-stop learning and hands-on training for eight to ten hours a day led to the making of new, lasting friendships and a renewed joy for my career choice. I didn't know exactly where I was going to live in Seattle after training, but I had faith that it would all work out, and it surely did.

I stayed in a crashpad near the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport for the first year and commuted between Fort Lauderdale and Seattle. It was an exacting double commute but I was happy to do it, and it turned out not to be so bad after a while. A friend of mine stumbled upon the crashpad on a Facebook page and I reached out to the people who ran it---one of them used to work for my previous airline, so that was a small world in itself. There were five sets of bunk beds over the two bedrooms and ten flight attendants shared the apartment's amenities (kitchen, living room, big screen TV) whenever we were in town to work. I would walk fifteen minutes to the airport (just down the hill) and take a shuttle back to the hotel across the street after my flights. That hill was great walking down but it was a different story walking up with three well-packed crew bags trailing behind me. :)

I made lasting friendships in the crashpad and I am thankful for my time there. It worked perfectly for my time as a commuter when I was still unsure whether Seattle would be the place for me. It was a convenient and safe place for me to stay when I was in town to work. When I would be in Seattle in between two sets of trips, I would explore the city and go downtown with new friends. We'd explore Chinatown, the Space Needle, take ferry rides, and of course find great places to eat. I experienced a summer without air conditioning (as that is not standard in Seattle---apparently) and my first non-South Floridian autumn with crisp, clean air and leaves on the ground (and not palm fronds from a tropical storm, for once).

Towards the end of 2018, I had found that both the Seattle base and Seattle itself was the place for me. I was able to hold Paris trips on my schedule and flew there between four and six times a month, I met wonderful colleagues ranging from 60 years of seniority to a few months just like myself, and I felt a sense of belonging at the base. I decided to make a permanent move and search for a place to live. After visiting one of my friends for a day in his neighborhood of Kirkland, I fell in love with the city. It is situated on Lake Washington just north of Bellevue and one can see the skyline of Seattle and the towering Olympic Mountains to the west. It was nearing Christmas at that time and the city was decorated with beautiful lights along its quaint downtown streets. It looked like a Hallmark movie set!

While driving back to my friend's house, we passed a "for rent" sign and he pulled over. It looked to be for the apartment over a detached garage about three blocks north from Downtown Kirkland. We gave the number a call as we were thinking of this place for a mutual friend and we set up to meet the landlord the following morning for a tour. The next morning we were met by the landlord, a 35 year veteran flight attendant for Alaska Airlines, who showed us the apartment. It offered a view of Lake Washington, a brand new kitchen and new flooring, plus fresh paint and new windows. Also, to my surprise, there was both air conditioning and heating! My friend hinted that I should consider the place since I was planning to move to Seattle, but it was a distance from the airport and I didn't have a car yet. Later that night, the landlord got in touch with my friend and told him how much she wanted a tenant like me to live next door to her. I talked it over--for a long while--with my mom and I decided to go for it. My first apartment--ever--was a reality. Now how was I going to get to the airport!?

The good thing about Seattle is that it has a great bus system, and I took the bus from Kirkland to Sea-Tac Airport. It took about an hour and a half each way and it really was nice to sit back and let someone else drive for once! I was even able to do my taxes on the ride home from the airport! I learned the bus routes and times and took them throughout the Eastside and over into Downtown Seattle to meet friends. After two months riding the bus, it was time to get a car. A trip to the Hyundai dealership and about four hours of negotiations led me to purchase my first ever brand-new car--an electric blue 2019 Hyundai Sonata Limited whom I call "Juanita" after the neighboring town just up the road from me.

This month marks one year since I've been in Kirkland and I have met so many great people in the neighborhood and made new friends. My time at my new airline has allowed me to see the world: Paris, Amsterdam, and Tokyo, to name a few, and has given be the opportunity to explore cities all throughout the United States. I've flown on the smallest and largest plane in our fleet and have worn two different uniforms so far. I've celebrated Christmas and New Year's in Paris, experienced two snowstorms, and witnessed true beauty in the world with the different cultures I've interacted with and the amazing places I've visited.

I never pictured myself living in Seattle but I am so grateful and lucky to have had this change in my life. I will always be a South Floridian at heart but there is truly something enchanting about the Pacific Northwest.

I don't know for certain where I will be taken on life's grand adventure, but I do know for certain that I have found my forever company and will enjoy the next forty, fifty, or maybe sixty years of flying. 2020 will mark five years since I started flying and a lot has changed in that short span, but as my mom likes to say, "change is always good."

Here's to Seattle, to my company, to my friends & family, and to 2020! May it bring prosperity, peace, growth, and more blog posts :)

Sunset in Kirkland overlooking Lake Washington

Episode Thirteen: The Tragedy

It had been a while since I worked a Rochester turn. I was normally flying four-leg flights to Charlotte and Tampa and the occasional Memphis double, so I was happy to see on my January schedule that I had mostly morning out and backs, including six Rochester pairings.

Rochester flights are very interesting to say the least. The passengers vary in background and travel reasons, but the majority are elderly persons coming down to spend some time in Florida away from the bitter cold and snow. They all have their quirks, but I have been told that I handle things well with our senior citizens. Whenever I work these flights, there also always seems to be a medical situation on board. And on January 6, 2017, there was one on our way up to Rochester, but thankfully minor after we attended to the passenger and gave him some oxygen. He was wearing four layers of jackets on the plane, so he was pretty warm and sweating. He was much better after we helped him out of his jackets and made the cabin a bit cooler.

The return trip from Rochester is normally two and a half hours, sometimes two hours and forty-five minutes. We had a flight time of two hours and thirty minutes on the way up, so we were expecting a short time back as well. Nope. Flight time was three hours and eight minutes. I was in the back of the plane flying position number 4 along side a company veteran who has been flying for 18+ years in the industry. We were discussing how this was the longest Rochester flight we have ever had, but we prepared to make 155 people safe and comfortable for the return flight.

After three beverage/snack services and multiple trash runs/compliance checks/and requests for more ice and drinks, we were on our final approach for landing in Fort Lauderdale. We landed at 1:45 PM and began taxiing to the gate. My phone started vibrating non-stop and I took a moment to look at it. 10 new text messages. 5 new Facebook messages. I had only a chance to look at one from my mom:

"Shooting at Terminal 2 in Fort Lauderdale in baggage claim. 5 dead. People on tarmac."

I turned to my other colleague and told her the news. We were both in shock. We knew this was a serious situation, so I told the lead flight attendant the news. We were relieved that it did not happen in Terminal 1 where our gate is located, so we figured that we would still be able to taxi to our gate and deplane as normal. The aircraft stopped on the taxiway and the captain announced over the PA that there was a situation at the airport involving an active shooter. The cabin was silent. People were craning their necks into the aisle and looking at one another. Phones began to sound and people started calling friends and family. The aircraft was stopped, along with tens of other inbound flights that landed just before the attack. Some people went to use the restroom while a claustrophobic passenger rang her call button to ask for some water. I had no answers as to how long we would be waiting, but I said to many "hopefully not too long."

After a few minutes or so the captain announced we would be moving again. The flight attendants prepared the cabin for the aircraft to move (everyone seated with seatbelts fastened, tray tables up and locked, bags stowed, etc.) and we moved away from the terminal. I heard the engines power down and the auxiliary power unit took over to provide power to the aircraft. The captain addressed the passengers about the situation and that the airport is on lockdown and closed. We were stuck on the tarmac as passengers from the terminals were being evacuated as reports of a second shooter were being announced. Everyone was on their phones, iPads, and laptops looking at the news reports. Live pictures recorded travelers running across the tarmac from the airport terminals escorted by police officers and SWAT groups. The flight attendants began preparing for a pour service of water and snacks to meet FAA requirements for a lengthy tarmac delay. The passengers were aware of the situation, and they knew it was not our fault, and we tried our best to remain professional and kind while an apparent war zone raged on outside the safety of our Airbus A320.

Our flight crew had no idea if our colleagues in Terminal 1 were safe. I relied on Facebook posts and updates from my mom for information. I received text messages from friends and other airline co-workers that there were multiple shootings now in the parking garage and in Terminals 1 and 3. The live picture of passengers running for cover and hiding behind pillars and cars came through on a passenger's tablet as SWAT teams ran through the garage with their guns drawn. With the reports of a second shooter and now multiple shootings, I thought it was a full-fledged terrorist attack on the airport and on innocent travelers as every terminal and area of the airport seemed to be under siege. One passenger travelling with her two granddaughters whispered to me that there were more shootings, and I slowly nodded my head while still smiling as I gave her some more water. I didn't want the two girls to become even more frightened than we all already were. Our aircraft was positioned away from the terminal, so we were unable to see the events unfolding on the ramp area. I think that calmed many fears and kept the passengers as relaxed as possible.

Without any new updates, the captain kept us informed with what he heard and understood from air traffic control. It was going on three hours since we landed in Fort Lauderdale and the lavatories were reaching their full capacity and we were desperately low on drinking water. We had used all our bottled water in our beverage carts and our supply of crew water to ensure our passengers were hydrated. We had a third of our snack supply left, so we began rationing that should passengers request something to eat. We didn't know if we would be stuck on the plane until midnight, or even the next morning, as information was still changing. By this time, the Vice President of Inflight for my airline called me to talk and to let us know that operations in Las Vegas were well aware of our situation and were in the process of trying to get lavatory vehicles out the plane to service the restrooms, along with securing drinking water for the passengers. Crew Services called us as well to check to see how we were faring, and our base supervisor kept us updated as much as she could. Having this contact with the outside was very helpful and much appreciated. We were all glad to be safe aboard the aircraft instead of being caught in the chaos outside.

At the fourth hour, we had already learned who the shooter was, what he did, and where he came from. We learned that there was just one shooter and that the reports of multiple shooters were false. The FBI had taken the suspect into custody. We thankfully found out that all of our colleagues were safe and accounted for. Our two other planes were out of Fort Lauderdale--one diverted to Fort Myers and the other was in Memphis. All flights incoming to Fort Lauderdale after us were diverted and then cancelled as the airport remained on lockdown. The police groups and the FBI were doing an entire sweep of the airport--including all levels of all terminals, all parking garages (including each vehicle therein), and the entire airport grounds to ensure there wasn't another planned attack.

The fifth hour approached and we began to prepare for another drink service. With only juices and sodas available and virtually no ice at our disposal, we again tried our best to remain professional and kind to the passengers who were very much frustrated and still unnerved. Even if they were internally, all the passengers were gracious and thankful to receive another snack or drink. They thanked us again and again. Everyone seemed to be in good spirits and were talking with one another. It was like a social gathering. People were being respectful and kind to one another.

Our FLL mechanics were able to bring us cases of bottled water. They drove a pickup truck to the plane and raised a ladder on the truck bed to reach the L2 door. Seeing them was absolutely wonderful. We asked them if they were safe and how everyone was in the terminal. It felt so nice to have contact with the outside world and to see familiar faces. We distributed water again and our back galley turned into a hangout area. We had a mother of two traveling with her Italian relatives for a cruise cracking jokes--two men in their early twenties and a member of the US Army were sharing the single outlet in the lavatory to charge their phones--and an accountant was showing us pictures of his grandchildren, all talking about life, the event, and whatever was on their minds. We had two women come to the back in tears--not scared for their safety but completely horrified about the attack. The claustrophobic passenger was playing Sudoku on her tablet and was doing much better. We all checked up on each other, and we flight attendants tried in earnest to maintain a safe and orderly cabin. No one was loud. No one was belligerent. No one was mean. We were all at the safest place in the entire area, and we were all content and thankful for that.

Almost six hours later, the captain announced to the flight attendants to prepare the cabin for taxi. We performed safety checks and the plane made its way to Terminal 1. We parked, disarmed the doors, and waited for more instructions. The gate agent announced that deplaning would take a few moments as there were extra security measures that needed to be met. Everyone waited patiently to leave. No shoving, no rushing, just standing in silence. Many people made the sign of the cross when we were finally at the gate.

The airport concourse was eerily quiet. Armed sheriff deputies with bulletproof vests and helmets directed passengers towards baggage claim. It looked like the rapture had occurred. Bags were everywhere with contents strewn on the floor; iPads and laptops were left charging in wall outlets; jackets and coats were in piles where people were once lounging waiting for their flight. A stand from Starbucks had toppled over with its contents in a pile on the floor; half-enjoyed drinks and food were left on tables at Chili's. It was the creepiest sight I have ever seen. We had two wheelchair passengers with us--I was pushing one and the lead flight attendant was pushing the other one. There weren't any wheelchair agents left at the airport, and the ground agent had to stay at the gate. We arrived to baggage claim and after half an hour we were able to get the wheelchair passengers' bags. The woman I was pushing asked me to speak to her son about the event and where he could come and collect her; I gave him directions to Port Everglades and told him that his mother was fine.

After almost 15 hours on duty, we left the airport terminal under the watchful eye of SWAT and police groups. Leaving the employee garage was chaotic as a line of cars in a dead stop crowded the exit. All the traffic leaving the airport was reduced to a single lane. Police officers directed us around abandoned cars left on the airport road and a multitude of emergency vehicles. I finally arrived home around 10:00 PM, exhausted and emotional. I feel so sick that innocent lives were lost and that the airport I have called my home was defiled.

The healing process has begun, and the airport has reopened to a state of normalcy. Terminal 2 is still closed, but the other three terminals are in operation. I am thankful that our flight time was longer than anticipated. If it was shorter, all of us could have been put in danger through the chaos of the shooting, the evacuations, and the overall uncertainty of what really was going on at the airport. A tragedy did occur, and we were all witnesses to this terrible event, and I believe this experience will be forever ingrained in our minds.

We must pray for the families of those lost, we must pray for the shooter and his family, and we must above all pray for peace and healing.

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: