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