MY INTERVIEW WITH THE "THE UPGRD PODCAST"

Some of you may know Lucky from his blog at Boardingarea.com, "one mile at a time." He has a great site, and flies about 200k miles a year, so he knows a little something about the ins and outs of the airline world! He is a self described "points collector"....I had know idea this world existed! If you are interested in how he manages to score upgrades and free flights check out his site and be sure to tune into "The upgrd podcast," where you'll find Lucky and his friends discussing the latest in the airline industry, the deal on upgrades, car rental programs and their latest pod cast...an interview with me!

WEDNESDAY'S Q&A

I have another great question this week form Joe:

Q: Since you work first so much, I've got to ask, what's the easiest/hardest meal to serve? Seems to me like breakfast would be pretty easy since it has a lot less options, at least on AA, which is who I tend to fly. It's basically just three choices, omelet or cereal/fruit, bagel or biscuit, and drink. Once you get into the dinners, there are a couple of hot options, you've gotta worry about wine & cocktails on top of water & all the other drinks, etc, etc.

FP: I'll answer for both cabins. In coach, I find it easier to serve lunch or dinner. Breakfast in coach involves a lot of coffee and tea. Here is a secret.....every FA I know has a pet peeve about passengers and coffee. The peeve is that nine out of ten people don't tell you how they take their coffee. "What?" you say....is the big deal with that? Just ask them...right? Well, I'm not sure, but I can tell you from experience that it does get a tad annoying by row 32....leg #3. I guess you add that with having to ask, "Would like something to drink?" three times before the head phones come out of the ears and voila'....irritation sets in. I know that most passengers still don't understand what the fuss is but trust me it's not personal, it's just one of those things: ) If you would like to get on your FAs good side, next time you fly say, "coffee, cream and sugar please."

In FC everything is easier....to me. I find it more relaxing and Breakfast is a bit easier up front......(except for scrambling those eggs and the bacon splattering everywhere...hahaha!!) You're right it is usually a lighter fare and even if all of my passengers kept how they take their coffee to themselves I only have to ask, "how do you take that?" at the most twenty four times;-) The only problem is I never work early enough to serve breakfast. I guess I like checking in late more than anything else!

MARRIED ON THE FOURTH OF JULY!!

Some of you may no Shelby, from her blog, "My view from UP here," or from Twitter. I decided to interview Shelby for my Fourth of July post for two reasons, the obvious, she serves in the Army and the other reason I found out yesterday while tweeting with her that she and her husband were married on the 4th of July! So, Happy Anniversary Shelby and Jack!

The flying Pinto: I find it fascinating that you're a FA and serving in the Army. I assume the Army came first? What made you decide to pursue the Army and what do you do for them?

Shelby: I joined the Army in 1986. While following my first husband around in the
Army, I saw what the females were doing .... and I said "I Can do this"... It was
easy till I had my son in 1987. I was based in Panama, Far from home & my 1st baby.
My husband was no longer in the Army and told me he wanted us to move home. I
liked being in the Army he didn't... I stayed...He went! As of right now, I am a Human
Resource Instructor, I teach othersoldiers how to manage soldiers in their units. This
includes & is not limited too: All paperwork on a soldier from their entry into the

service, until they Retire & or they died, Even after retirement.

FP:How much have you been involved in the current war? Have you been in
any others?

S: As far as this War is concerned, I "Trained" Navy Sailors to be
individual augmentees for Army units in Iraq, Kuwait & Afghanistan...
No small task considering we were given just 3 weeks from start to
finish. I was involved in Panama, While trying to Oust Noriega...I sat in a
basement & was prepared to implement the "Casualty Reports"... I
typed only One! That was my 1st & only! A job to which no one could
ever be truly prepared. During Desert Storm, Jack (Current) hubby,
*We were not married yet* took me to the Oregon coast so he could prepare
me for hisdeployment. I came down on Orders he didn't... This was also
time for my reenlistment. Jack & I decided I wouldn't Reenlist in
the Army. I got out of the Army for a couple of reasons, Jack & I had just
gotten married, He is an Officer & I was enlisted, Even though we were
not in the same Division, it was frowned upon, & since he had been in
longer & made more money, I let him stay in, (ha ha) 2nd, we
considered having another child, & Soldier & Mother is a hard JOB! I
don't care what kind of Super Mom you are!
I went into the IRR (Individual Ready Reserve) A pool of soldiers
that still owe a commitment, but do not have to be on Active Duty
anymore, (Sort of like pulling reserve as a FA) You go if you are
needed, I sat there for 1991 to 1997, Until one day hubby *Now
Retired* said,"Why don't you go back in the Army?" to which I replied,
"I Can do that!" Off I enlisted again for the 2nd time in my Army Career,
I've been in ever since, I joined the U.S. Army Reserve, One weekend a
month, 2 weeks a year, YEAH RIGHT! That is a commercial, they worked me
like a Step Child, & I loved it... I was in Uniform again, I had missed it.


FP: When did you decide to become a FA? How long have you been flying? Are
you enjoying your 2nd career?

S: After Jack retired from the Army we moved to my home in Fort Worth Texas, I was
a "Cruise Consultant"... Thing was, wecould get these great cruises...but could
never afford the Airfare...well, being in Dallas, who should you apply for?
(TWA) ...I applied in Jan 1999, and they turned me down, I was heartbroken...My
1st book report ever was in 8th grade ..and it was on a TWA Flight
Attendant! My company called the next day to offer me another
position as a Ticket Agent, Hmmm, Foot in the door, Right? So I did
that for one year, & applied for Flight Attendant again... GOT IT!,
Living the Dream, Off to Training, in Chicago & Reality sets in,
Seriously I love it, but it not the job you think it is ...looking in from the
outside. I Graduated March 2001,and yes, I do love my 2nd Career.

FP: Your husband is also in the military, is he in the Army too?

S: I met my current husband, Jack in the Army, He was being investigated,
I was the one doing the investigation... we never met face to face, it
was all done via Snail Mail & Phone calls. We didn't have Internet way
back then! When the investigation was over, I went on my way,
Jack went his way, 6 months later, we met, face to face!

Jack joined the Army in 1974 & because of Bill Clinton he retired
with 20 years in 1994 at the age of 38...

He was "Recalled" to active duty in 2006 & is still currently serving
until September of this year! He is the most patriotic person I know!

FP: You mentioned that your husband will be oversees soon, where is he going
and do you know for how long?

S: My husband has been offered a job with a company, that he works side
by side with now, they don't want to lose him, & offered him 3
positions, One is in South Carolina, (He won't take it), the second, is in
Jordon,and the third, is in the Country of Georgia. He is still weighing his
options at this point...
He wants to go back to Iraq, where he served 2 years, as a Civilian
Contractor. He loved his work there and he loved the people. That
is the problem, he likes this work, but it takes him away for long
periods, neither one of us are good at being separated, so he is
working with the company for "Dates" that will make everyone happy!

FP: Today (the 4th) is a special day for you and your husband...besides the
obvious...what will you be celebrating?

S: Our Wedding Anniversary! Jack and I were separated for 2 years awhile back,
but we managed to find our way back to each other. We celebrate now more than
ever, that we WANT to be together, to celebrate our marriage! We believe in
marriage now, more than ever! In this day & age, that is a gift in
it's own..

When I asked Jack.... How many years do you want to count as being
married, now that we are back together, he said "ALL OF THEM", I said
"WHY?", he said, "For better or Worse, baby, Remember your vows,
Count them all"!!

I loved him more that day, than any other!

So, we celebrate the fact that Independence Day, Is our Day! the Fact
that we are Not Independent from each other!

FP: What a great date for you two! How did you decide on the fourth of July
to get married?

S: Our 1st date, Mind you, after 6 months of "Chatting", we played 20
Questions, He asked on question number 3...Will you marry Me... WIDE
EYED, and a loss of air in my lungs, I managed to say "YES!!" His
next question, was WHEN do you want to do this?

I laughed and said, July 4th, I know we will both have that day off &
it's a day you can't forget!


FP: Did you have a big celebration? Where was it? Lots of Fireworks?

S: Since this was both of our 2nd Weddings we kept it low key, just
family & a few friends..
We were married in a Park in Salem Oregon with thousands of Red, White
& Blue balloons...
It was fantastic, my Mother was afraid it would rain.... Jack said
"It wouldn't dare!!" & It didn't, we did Bed & Breakfasts up and down
the coast of Oregon for our Honeymoon. We took a nap when we arrived
our wedding night, so so tired, we got up, & he pulled me from the
bed, saying I promised you Fireworks, Now come on lets go!

FP: Do you have any special traditions for celebrating this special day?

S: We are always ALONE, & we always search for the best fireworks! No
matter what city we are in... There is never any family on this day,
It is just the two of us! I know it is selfish, but sometimes you gotta do
what ya gotta do!!

(post photo courtesy of: Laz & Didi's Pics' photostream)

MARK FINISHED HIS JOURNEY! 30 DAYS ON A PLANE...PROBABLY EVERY FLIGHT ATTENDANT'S WORST NIGHTMARE

Congratulations, Mark! Hope you are enjoying your comfy bed at home!

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO KNOW....WEDNESDAY

This weeks question comes from Joe...it's a long one, but a good one:

As I sit here, wondering why accounting hasn't gotten me my travel reimbursement, I find myself filled with questions about how you all handle your layover stays. I assume you don't have to book anything, that the airline takes care of it, right? But then, how does it actually work when you get there--do you just show an ID & the room just gets billed to the airline? Or do you have to float it on your credit card & get reimbursed? (Since we use the latter system, I hope you get to do the former, although I know if it's direct billed, sometimes that means you don't get stay credit/points from the hotel, and I hope you get those no matter what...I can't imagine traveling as many nights as you do without earning any status for it!) Are the big airlines linked in with certain hotel chains, so that you only stay at Hilton or Hyatt or whatever no matter what city you're in, or is it city-by-city, e.g., at DFW it's the Hyatt but at MSP it's the Hilton? I'm also guessing that they usually make you guys wait for and take the little hotel van rather than cabbing it. And I can only guess that, with as many nights as you stay a year, that you must have plenty of stories of the hotels botching your reservation, claiming to already be full, etc.

FP: You are right, airline crews don't do any of the booking. The airline takes care of it all. I think the only exception to that is corporate airline crews, but I'm not sure exactly how their bookings are handled. The airline has contracts with certain hotels, and no, they're not all the same chain. Each time a contract comes up, different hotels bid for the airline's business. So, the hotels expect our arrival and have a certain group of rooms blocked out. We check in by writing our names next to a room number and that's about it. Some hotels require that we leave a credit card "imprint" if we want to use any of the hotel services, like rent movies etc. but most do not. You're are also right in assuming that because it is direct billed, we do not get the "points," a sore spot with most of us!

Yes, we use the hotel van service. The hotel usually makes special trips for airline crew although some airport hotels have us ride with everyone. At my airline we have a clause in our contract that states, if we are waiting for more than 20 minutes for a van, we can cab it. If the hotel doesn't have a van service then the airline will contract with a limo/livery service in that city. At my airline, any layover over 20hours means we stay in the city rather than by the airport.

I do have a few "stories," but one that sticks in my mind is when I was working as a load FA (meaning I was by myself) and I arrived in Newark, and because of major weather in the area all the hotels were booked up. I had to call scheduling when I arrived, after waiting on hold for 20 minutes, the scheduler directed me where to pick up my van. I was driven about an hour away from the airport, by myself, by a stranger, to a disgusting, hotel room wreaking of cigarette smoke....and it was the only room they had. Needless to say it was a loooong night! Luckily, we usually stay in pretty nice places and that time was not the norm!

and to answer a question you didn't ask, but it is a common one: "No, we don't have to share hotel rooms, we each get our own: )"

(post photo courtesy of Capnmikesphotostream)

BARE ESSENTIALS OF SAFETY FROM AIR NEW ZEALAND

Here's a safety video you all might pay attention to;-)

Thanks Kevin! For your recent (Go Girl) comment and introducing me to this very cool "safety demo".....and to answer your question,"would my airline be up for this?" Nooooooo: )



Also, check out "my view from 30000 ft" Blondie, tested out the "remote condom"....thanks, Blondie!

GO GIRL!

Some of you may remember my first contest...a give-away...no it wasn't the car! It was a gadget. The contestants had to e-mail me and explain...why they had to have it! Well, I got some great responses but the clear cut winner was Aviatrix:

"I fly commercially in a small airplane with

No relief tube or co-pilot. Seven hour missions can lead to
Eight hours between bathroom breaks..
Elevated summer temperatures require me to
Drink lots of water.

Turbulence aggravates my
Overfull bladder

Precision flying requires concentration. If only there were some way to
Empty my bladder in flight. Also, I'm not afraid to blog about the
Experience. (Sorry, no photographs, though)."

Well, she has tried it and posted about it! Thanks Girl! Head over to her blog, "Cockpit Conversation" and check out what she has to say about the experience!

MY SECRETS REVEALED: DIFFICULT CUSTOMERS

When I tell people what I do for a living, they usually respond by saying, "I don't know how you do it, I wouldn't last one day....I'd be in a fight with someone!" Dealing with passengers on an airplane can be trying at times but I have a couple of techniques I use for dealing with "troublesome" passengers. Here are two methods I use on almost every flight:

The Kindergarten Teacher:

There are two types of passengers that are particularly hard to deal with the first is, the needy passenger. When I say needy, I am not talking about you, the passenger that might have a couple of special requests during a flight. I travel too and understand how it is to travel and the needs that arise. I am talking about the "extremely" needy passenger that distracts FAs away from everything and everyone else. Most flights have one. My trick for dealing with this type of personality is to pretend that I am a Kindergarten Teacher and to treat this person like they are 5. It works every time. I meet their need, but I also give them much needed direction. I let them know what to expect, when to expect it and what is expected of them...works like a charm. It is a win/win.

The Diffuser:

The next type is not as easy to deal with. It is the passenger that shows up irate. (I'm not talking about taking anyone along who is a threat to the flight...I'm talking about your average mad person) When I was new I used to engage with these people...big mistake. There is never a good outcome. What did I accomplish by arguing back? Even if I "won" and had the passenger removed from our flight, the tone for that flight has now been set...I've taken on the bad energy, and inconvenienced the other passengers. I had been flying for about 5 years when we had a passenger on a flight who had managed to piss off everyone before he even sat down! We were in the process of talking to the Captain to see about having him removed, when the gate agent came down, and informed us that this man's daughter was also on the plane. Only she was in cargo, he was on the flight to escort her body home for her funeral. Ever since then? When a passenger gets on one of my flights and is looking for a fight? I tell myself that he/she is heading to the funeral of a loved one. It changes the way I approach them and instead of taking things personally I can now diffuse the situation. Some people see it as putting up with people you shouldn't put up with. I see it as making the flight more pleasurable for everyone.

(Photo courtesy of: George Eastman House's Photostream)

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO KNOW....WEDNESDAY

This weeks question comes from Joe:

Just recently discovered your blog and, as a very frequent flier for business, I am enjoying the behind-the-scenes look at the airline world.

Had a quick question, though. It may just be my perception, but it has sure seemed like certain carriers' crews have been getting older and older and older, while others' crews seem to get younger and younger and younger. Is that your experience/perception as well? Do FAs often change carriers? Given how important seniority seems to be in your job, I would think there would be a huge downside to switching, but the only explanation I can figure for the age trend is that there are "starter airlines," where young FAs get their first jobs but that are less desirable for some reasons (because of routes, pay, etc), and then there are "career airlines," that are more desirable that FAs jump to & stay at once they can. Is that right? Just curious.

Thanks so much for writing your blog, and good luck with everything!

Joe
San Diego, California

---

Hi Joe!

Thank you so much for reading my blog, I am flattered that you are enjoying it! I know as a frequent business traveler you experience a lot of the same frustrations that we do. I've mentioned in previous posts that business travelers are my favorite travelers because you understand the ins and outs of traveling and don't usually take it out on the crew when there are weather, ATC, or mechanical delays!

To answer your question, yes we are older, older, older at the majors because seniority is everything.(which is not a bad thing, think, U.S Air 1549...average age of the crew? 54.4 years) Flight Attendants and Pilots alike will stay at an airline once they are hired because it doesn't make much sense to keep starting from the bottom. I have 16 years at my airline and my seniority number is 3,878 out of 9,450 Flight Attendants. We have a lot of 25-40 year FAs.(not their age...their seniority) There really isn't a lot incentive to quit, as a FA at my airline you can work as much or as little as you want. Why quit?

And, yes the younger, younger ,younger FAs seem to be at the new low cost carriers. We haven't hired too much since 911. For a while there weren't that many FAs under 30. Now we have a handful of FAs in their twenties again, I just recently flew with a woman who is 26 and her Mom is a FA with us and she has 39 years! I should also mention that the airlines, at least mine, likes to hire people with experience! Life experience that is...the oldest person in my FA training class was 63! A retired teacher...great FA!

As far as desirability, yes, I am happy with the big boys! I like longer flights and I'm not a fan of the small planes: )For me, the majors was a better choice but I think it's a matter of personal preference.

Please send in your questions, you can leave them in the comments section or e-mail me at theflyingpinto@aol.com!

AN EARTHQUAKE, $12.00 DAYQUIL AND A MOOSE

Sometimes things don't work out the way you planned...as was the case for my layover in Anchorage. I had been looking forward to this trip all month. It is rare that I will work a three day trip these days but I love going to Anchorage and with the husband on vacation I decided to take advantage.......only I got sick! I tried to convince myself it was allergies, and checked in on Sunday for my trip......only it wasn't allergies.....and I went down hill from there.

The 7 hour flight up wasn't too bad but I had to go straight to bed by the time we got there. My crew on the other hand made plans...BIG plans to go out and join the summer solstice party going on....and for those of you reading who are FAs or Pilots, you know how rare it is that your whole crew is cool and wants to got out!! I actually contemplated joining them and then succumbed to my achy, tired body in hopes of feeling better in the morning and being able to explore then.

Well, it didn't seem possible but I felt worse the next day. I decided to stay in bed and fell back asleep only to be awoken to my bed shaking back and forth. I immediately thought someone was under my bed! Hotel beds sometimes have a hollow frame that the mattress sits on and as FAs we always hear these horror stories of someone hiding in there and waiting for your arrival to attack. My first thought when the bed started shaking was, "I can't believe this guy waited all night to come out and get me!" But, then I saw everything in my room shaking and realized, "Oh my God! I'm in an earthquake!!" My first earthquake! I found out the epicenter was about 30 miles away and registered 5.7! I don't think anyone was hurt and so it was actually kind of exciting....considering how unexciting my trip was up until that point.

I spent the rest of the day watching a movie, still feeling lousy, and sleeping as much as I could. I had to be in the lobby at 7pm for our van to the airport, so I went a little early so I could go to the gift shop and find something to help me get through my flight. Much to my horror and surprise the Dayquil I found in the gift shop was $12!! Can you believe that? Is it even close to that at the stores? I haven't bought it in so long, but I can't imagine it being that much. I really didn't have a choice so I bought the Dayquil and $5 cough drops. I met up with the rest of my crew, and found out that they had a blast, met up with 2 other airline crews, took over the back room of some bar and partied like rock stars!! I felt so left out!

Our van ride to the airport held an unexpected treat...we saw a Moose and her two babies! Our driver pulled over and they were only about 30 ft. from us. My crew whipped out their camera's and got some great shots...I was feeling so bad at this point that I couldn't even pull out my camera...they all promised to e-mail me their photo's. I promise to post, when and if this happens...you never know...we're all best friends at work and then you get home and the intentions to keep in touch etc. are there but you get caught up in your everyday life at home...and then usually about 4-5 years later run into these people you meant to e-mail, or call.

My crew did ROCK though, especially the woman I was working FC with. She pretty much handled it on her own while I sat out the service. I though about calling out sick and staying in Alaska but we had minimum crew, and without me the flight would have been cancelled. I'm sure our full flight was happy I showed up.....sick or not: )

The good news is I'm home...still feeling lousy...but home...and somehow that makes it all a little better!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TO THOSE DADS OUT THERE WHO CARRY THE "MOTHER LOAD"

WHY YOU DON'T WANT TO FLUSH AIRPLANE TOILETS WITH SMALL CHILDREN AROUND

This is funny....we used to do this all the time...very entertaining to passengers...well, not all...but most find it funny: )

LIFE LESSONS LEARNED AT 31000 FEET

I found this list at The Secret Life of a Flight Attendant. I've been reading Katie's blog since she was in the hiring process for becoming a FA. She has been on the line a couple of months now and I get the biggest kick out of reading about her new adventures. I wish blogging was around when I started flying! Anyway, here are some of my favorites from her list of lessons learned at 31000 feet:

• When an airplane is going back to the gate due to a mechanical problem with the air conditioner there is no way to answer, "Why can't we just open a window?" with a straight face.
• Your crew really can set the tone for what kind of mood you'll be in for the next 2-5 days.
• If you piss off crew scheduling you'll find a six leg a day trip in your near future.
• In-flight management must have already forgotten how challenging this job can be on the body, heart and soul of a reserve.
• That air sick bags are my new "duct tape"....1001 uses and counting!
• What crew juice is (see my previous post) the different names for it as well as several recipes
• That oxygen bars are Gods solution to hangovers.
• That it is always the little old women who know they can't lift their bags that pack the heaviest.
• That business cards are a must because cocktail napkins are to easy to lose.
• That a seal-a-meal I bought is the best $45 I'll ever spend.
• That you can heat seal-a-meal bags inside an airsick bag full of hot water and actually eat a hot meal on the plane.
• That the view from the flight deck is breath taking.
• That even though the aft lav says "PUSH" on the door, people will still pull out the ash tray thinking it is the door knob.
• That the forward lav attracts everyone from row 1-31
• That you should never tell a 5 month pregnant lady that her flight has been canceled unless you plan on calling security.
• That layover hotels do not like skinny dippers!

For the full list go to katiecoffey.blogspot.com

(air sick bags photo courtesy of Man met bril's photostream)

HIP COMPASS "ESCAPES" SUMMER ISSUE

The new issue of Hip Compass "Escapes" Magazine has hit the virtual news stands. Hurry! Head over and get your copy now! You'll can find my article, "Life Styles of the not so Rich and Famous" on page 20. It's an in depth look at my life as a Flight Attendant and how it has evolved over the years from being young, single and free to travel the world to fitting my lifestyle as a mom today.

This is the second issue of a great new publication where you'll find an interesting group of travel writers. Check it out and let me know what you think!

"SIR, YOU NEED TO SIT DOWN RIGHT NOW!"

Check out this post from Lucky's blog, "One Mile at a Time" over at the boardingarea.com, he is a college student who flies over 200k a year, I love his perspective on flying and this one gos along with Wednesday's Q&A...also check out part one of this eventful flight..."passenger pisses off Flight Attendant, no really!" I'm happy I wasn't working this flight!

(post pic from Lucky's collection at Flickr.com...one of the many showing how frequently he really does travel!)

BRING BACK THE STEWARDESSES

I came across this post last night and I just had to share it with all my insightful, intelligent, supportive readers. I left the first comment and then linked it to twitter as a result he ended up with more Flight Attendant comments than he probably wanted! It got such a huge response I thought I would pass it on to those of you who are not on twitter...Of course I would love all thoughts: )

by Robert Coram:

"The biggest airline in the world, Atlanta’s own Delta Airlines, is in serious trouble: a $125 million hit this quarter, reduction of system capacity by ten per cent this year, and the loss of 8,000 jobs in the past 12 months. But I know how to fix all this and, at the same time, advance western civilization: bring back the stewardesses and impose on them an upper age limit of 30.

One of the most bizarre marketing ploys in history was when the airlines dropped “stewardess” and picked up “flight attendant.” It seems that “stewardess” was demeaning and that “flight attendant” more professional. The job did not change, only the attitude. Think nose dive. And by the way, how do you attend a flight?.......

To read more go to: Likethedew.com...yes, there's more!!

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO KNOW....WEDNESDAY

This weeks question comes from Mark Lawrence:

"What is the most ridiculous excuse you have heard from a person who just could not stay seated?"

This one stumped me because I've heard all the "regular" excuses...have to go to the bathroom really bad, back aches, recent leg surgery etc...but nothing really ridiculous, so I called on my friends over at Twitter, who are awesome by the way, and here is what they came up with:

"Worst ever had was pro football charter & several guys were in too much pain to sit. They were really nice about it but some wouldn't even sit for landing!"
BethanyinFL

"Last one I can recall, Was the "Praying" Excuse, Then kept hanging out in the Galley moo-ching drinks, *Eye Roll*"
FlyAArmy
upupnaaway.blogspot.com

"I forgot to turn my phone off, while fumbling thru the overhead bin!"
BlondieDC
myviewfrom30000feet

"I'm in a hurry", "I'm a diamond stellar status member", "I have a pilot's license" "I can't understand English"-oh really?
TraytablesTrvls
Incaseofemergency

"I have a bladder problem, I have to go to the bathroom every 5mins"
Dennis9295

"I can't stay seated because then my pants will be crinkly for my wedding later today."The guy wore sweatpants BTW
CBI28

"When I'm having a drink,(alcohol),I like to stand."...what???!
tallicarules

Best excuse I've heard was "I'm a fighter pilot, I'm used to flying." We hit some moderate turbulence & he spilled his soda.
navyaircrewman
navyaircrew.com

Number 2 for take off Woman gets out her seat to open overhead bin I ask her to sit down she says "My lucky shirt is in my..bag." My response, "Well if this plane takes off with you up your not going to be so lucky...please sit down!"
DGNY

-This just get me every time. "The agent said if there were open seats in F/C, that I could sit there!!"
-"Oh I Thought The Seatbelt Sign Was Off"!!
-"my kids are sitting in F/C and I have to keep checking on them"
Dennis9295

"Once as F/O I got called to the back for this. A kinda large lady said she just had ASS surgery."
IIballcane

"ants on a plane" - my next screen play -> "stay in your seat!" "no, there are ANTS on this plane!" "ayyyeeee!"
flyddw mix.epicfu.com

"How about...I REALLY REALLY need to use the lav...?"
leaky_tiki flickr.com

"~~~~Securty made them check their....donut, :-)) ~~~~"
Twitter/N304TT

(Post photo by Tommy Gakenwan)

FLIGHT ATTENDANTS MAKE BETTER PARTNERS BECAUSE...

Facebook has a Flight Attendant Group and I found this list on their site, "Flight Attendants make the best partners (bf/gf/wife/husband/spouse/defecto..whatever..)because..."

Here are a few of my favorites:

"Because we can set up for a party in a half an hour, make airline reservations inside of twenty minutes, cater an affair for 30 out of a closet, talk to a total stranger about his most pressing problem and not remember it a day later, carry lunch for a Crew of five in a grocery bag, and look like a million bucks from a dead sleep to the wheel of a car in 19 minutes. We take it in stride, cry later and go on. Unfortunately, we tend to be independent, self starting, and after a while we don't put up with much. Good people? Yes. But we have extremely high standards and we won't take a back seat to anyone. That's a bit intimidating for most potential partners."
Patricia Sund

"...we show faith daily (that mechanics have fixed things and our sig others don't stray), know where the cheapest restaurant is in every town, have tolerance that rival saints, and can get our partners to places they'd never dream of going to... and know how to say "you're an IDIOT" with a smile on our faces and NOT get in trouble."
Heather Ragle

"Domestic Partner Flight Benefits!!!!"
Jonathon Lack

"..they are never home!!"
Vimyr Romarez Reaid

"unlimited amount of hotels soaps and shampoos."

Steve Walden

"We always have a great dress-up outfit to wear!!@#$Ultra sexy..!!!"

Adriana Oliver Yanez

"...because you can drink have cocktails in New York, lunch in Chicago, shopping in San Francisco, go clubbing in LA, and recover from your hang over in Miami :)"
Oscar Daniels

"we tell it like it is!"

MaryJean Maglio White

"because our lifestyle is like the rich and famous people."

Anita Diaz

"because you marry me and fly for free. Stand by of course!!"

Tina Stocks Ruvalcaba

" I'm an FA and so is my gf. The best part about seeing each other is that we can get up at 4pm and enjoy each other's company until dawn the next day. (even if it's a Tuesday)"
Mike Gill

"…because FAs are great problem solvers...and generally... great diplomats as well! :-)"

Jorge Carmo

LEAVE A LIGHTER FOOTPRINT

Travel Green

A guest post by Deborah at www.puremothers.com

School is out and summer vacations are calling. Some will stay close to home, some will travel by car and others will take to the blue skies in search of some well-deserved R & R. If you want to take your green way of living with you on your vacation there are several things you can do. Firstly, choose an airline that has a high green rating. Greenopia recently rated the airline industry and gave Virgin America and Continental high accolades. The ratings were in the areas of fuel conservation, alternative types of fuel, recycling programs, green building design, green food options and carbon offsets. You could start by choosing to fly with either of them.

Pack your own reusable water bottles to fill up at the airport, once you've gone through security. If you must purchase bottled water at the airport, look for recycling bins to discard or take them with you until you find a recycling bin. I've tucked a bottle or two into my bag or car until I got home to dispose of properly. Take your own utensils with you and avoid plastic utensils offered at the airport. To-Go Ware makes a cool bamboo set with a recycled plastic or cloth pouch for carrying. If you need a jolt of caffeine while you're waiting for your flight and decide to wait in that long Starbucks line, opt for the organic, fair trade coffee- sans plastic lid. Just drink the first few inches down so you don't spill it while you walk.

We all know that once you get the "okay" from the flight crew you can use your electronic devices. Why not give the batteries a rest and read a book? Have you been to a bookstore lately? There is something for everyone. If you can't find something of interest to you, then you really do need this vacation to find yourself. My point is - electronics use energy. Save it and find other activities to occupy your time on the flight. Sudoku anyone?

If you're traveling with children, it's easy to look to convenience items, especially for meals. Instead make a batch of muffins and sandwiches at home to bring with you on your flight. To-Go Ware also makes great stainless steel tiffins to store food. I pack mine with sandwiches, fruit and yogurt. Just make sure there are no liquids in yours. It will ruin your vacation if it gets confiscated. Always be sure to check the airline's website for rules and regulations regarding items allowed on the plane. If you're a cloth diaper user, you score extra green points, but if not, you can think about switching over after your trip. In the meantime, be as green as you can and remember to put the poop in the toilet before you wrap up the diaper to discard. Some people are not aware that it is actually illegal to throw human waste in the trash. It needs to go into the sewage system where it can be treated properly. The greenest wipes on the market, short of making your own with cloth, are from Nature Baby Care. The wipes and the packaging are 100% biodegradable.

Once you arrive at your destination you can continue your green vacation. Did you choose a green hotel? These environmentally friendly hotels have chosen energy-saving measures, like low-flow shower heads and toilets, recycling and avoiding wastefully packaged products. Check out www.greenhotels.com to book your vacation.

Here are a few more things you can do to leave a lighter footprint. Because, the only footprint you should leave is from a walk on the beach!

-Share meals so you don't have leftovers to take from a restaurant. They're usually in plastic clam shells or Styrofoam. Or - bring your stainless steel tiffins from your flight and put your leftovers in those.
-Skip the plastic straws in your margarita. Get it with salt and lick the rim (my personal favorite).
-If you have a kitchen at your destination and need to do grocery shopping, bring your own bags and skip the plastic and paper. EnviroSax makes really small bags that roll up and fit right in your pocket.
-Rent bikes and share cabs.
-Eat organic, local foods when possible (I mean that's why you're there, right?)
-Shut the lights off in your hotel room when you leave.
- Reuse your towels.
-Keep the television turned off. You can watch TV at home.
- Be moderate with the A/C and turn off when you leave. If appropriate to your place of stay, open windows and turn on fans instead of A/C.
- Always throw litter and recyclables in the proper trashcans.

Enjoy your green vacation!

INSIDE THE LIFE OF A FLIGHT ATTENDANT

By Dan Pimentel:

"For as long as there have been commercial airliners hauling passengers to Grandma's house, there have been members of that flight's crew managing the cabin, serving meals and refreshments and soothing the jitters of scared flyers. Long ago when big airliners still had propellers, they were called "Stewardesses" or even the less respectful "Trolley Dollies", neither of which stuck, thankfully.

Today, the women and men in that profession are called Flight Attendants, or FAs for short. We see them on every trip to the airport, often waiting for their next leg to begin, often looking quite bored. As I watch them moving through endless airports towing their well-worn suitcases, I often wonder just what life as an FA is like.

Recently on Twitter, I mentioned that curiosity to Sara Keagle, a veteran FA with a major carrier which shall remain unnamed. She offered to answer for publication any questions I had. I took her up on this offer, and the results follow. I hope you find this as interesting as I did, it really is a look into what that profession really is like".......

Head over to Dan's Blog, "AV8RDANS WORLD OF FLYING" for the complete interview.

HIDEAWAY VILLAGE COTTAGE AND OUR WEEK IN PICTURES

We made it home, and I am happy to report our trip back went smoother than the flight up. We gave ourselves plenty of time...enough time to enjoy Legal Seafood's Crab Bisque at the airport...only to find out, it is seasonal: ( So, everything but the Bisque worked out. We had 3 seats together and Lucy slept for the last two hours. It was a busy vacation for us we had a wedding, a graduation, a cookout, and a memorial service to attend all in the first 3 days!We were able to slow down a bit and enjoy the last 4 days hanging out at the many beaches Cape Cod has to offer. I know of a couple nice, slightly off the beaten trail beaches, if you are ever headed to the Cape e-mail me and I will share some secrets: ) And as promised here are some details on our cottage rental. The first 5 pictures are of the cottage we rented and the little village it is in. As you can see it is a cottage....about 400 sq. ft with a bathroom smaller than some closets.In fact if you have not been to Europe, Asia or New England it is possible you have no idea what I am talking about but trust me it's small. The good points are it is clean, extremely affordable ($400-$500 per week depending on when), it has a gas oven and stove and is centrally located between Boston and Cape Cod. The trickier aspects are the fact that it is BYOB (bring your own bedding) Another crazy New England phenomena, a lot of people who stay are coming down from Boston for a vacation so it's easy for them to bring bedding and towels. We are fortunate to have family near by because I was unaware of the BYOB policy. If you are interested in renting the place just contact Freeflyingmom...my mom...I'm sure she'd be happy to help with the linens: ) The pictures below are of beaches within a short driving distance from where we stayed. As you can see, they're beautiful, not crowded, and the star fish were in abundance this week. You can see Lucy below helping one back to the ocean. If you have any questions about the area or renting here just send me an e-mail, I'm happy to pass the information along!

I'M BACK....

Posting will resume tonight after Lucy gos to sleep; ) Here she is sitting in the FOs seat before our flight home. The Captain was so nice and when he asked her what she thought about flying she took her shoe off to show him her "pink" toes!

IF I'M NOT HERE....I'M AT THE BEACH

No WiFi...be back Thursday: )

VACATION: DAY ONE

4am: wake up to get ready for a 7:25am departure

6:26: leave for airport...yes, extremely late.

6:45: arrive at The Parking Spot...yes, we live that close to the airport.

7:00: arrive at the airport....very long line at security...not looking good.

7:05: explain to gate agent that we're late...we're checked in...but printer didn't work so we don't have boarding passes, therefore unable to be in the short line (baggage check for pax w/ tickets)

7:07: Agent helps us...get tickets, head for long security line...chased down by "bag nazi" who claims we have too many bags. (we have 6 bags, 2 each and Lucy's car seat) when she sees I am an employee, the harassment gets worse...TSA agent had to explain to her we are right..."bag nazis" day probably ruined!

7:12:through security...ruuuuunnnnn really fast to our gate.

7:16: arrive at our gate to find out the flight is closed...here is my conversation with the gate agent:

Me: "We're here!"

Agent: "Flights closed."

Me: "You closed it 9 minutes early?"

Agent: "It's a head start flight...it's closed."

Me: "I thought you could only close a flight 5 early?"

Agent(now speaking to me like I am his child): "It is 5 early...and you know better...you need to be here a lot earlier than this." (he closed 10 early)

Me: " It's only 7:20 right now...and yes, thank you, I know that I need to be earlier. I guess you've never been late? But, thanks for the comments." (couldn't help it...the "bag nazi" already had my blood boiling, didn't have time to take it out on her and my biggest pet peeve is to be spoken to like I am 5)

and so the adventure begins....next flight at 11am.

(photo courtesy of: Caribbs photostream at Flickr.com)

AIR FRANCE 447

I am skipping Wednesday's Q&A this week to say my heart gos out to the families and loved ones of the passengers and crew lost on Air France Flight 447.

Mark Lawrence asked this weeks question...which I will answer next week...and when I went to Mark's site, "Amateur Aviation Photography" tonight I saw he talked a little bit about the tragedy and recommended reading a post by Captain Dave at his blog, "Flight Level 390." I read it, and to be honest it wasn't what I wanted to hear but I've been reading his blog for a while now and I trust what he says. Obviously nobody has the answers yet but his speculation is worth the read.

PLEASE BRING YOUR SEAT BACK TO A MORE UNCOMFORTABLE POSITION

Lets settle this once and for all! Does it really make a difference if your seat back is raised to the upright and locked position for take off and landing? Every time a passenger gives me the look that says, " are you kidding me, so ridiculous!" It reminds me of a Seinfeld bit, when he talks about flying and how silly the whole seat back thing is. He stands straight up and says, "alive," and then leans back and says, "dead." Then repeats over and over...it's funny...but, here's the thing, having your seat in it's up right position can make a difference. When you are in a situation when seconds count you don't want anything to impede your exit. Weaving around jutting seats would slow things down.

The FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) mandates that every airplane must be able to be evacuated in 90 seconds or less, no matter how large the aircraft.FAA minimum crew is 1 Flight Attendant for every 50 seats. Once a year each airline must demonstrate that each aircraft in its fleet can be evacuated in the 90 seconds, if they fail they need to keep adding a Flight Attendant until this is achieved, this then becomes that air crafts new minimum crew.

Now, sit up straight and watch this video of the Airbus A380 evacuation test...and the next time you fly just put your seat up in its upright and locked position for take off and landing and know the Flight Attendants are doing there job and you're safer for it.

Information about the Airbus evacuation test:

an evacuation test that Airbus conducted for its new A380 aircraft on Mar. 26, 2006. The test took place at Airbus in Hamburg, Germany.

• performed in complete darkness, aided only by emergency lighting
• half of the exits blocked, though neither crew nor test passengers know beforehand which ones
• test passengers reflect demographics of actual travelers (e.g., at least 40% female, at least 35% over 50)

To pass, all passengers and crew—whatever the plane's maximum capacity—must be able to evacuate within 90 seconds. In this drill, all 853 "passengers" and 20 crew members got off the A380 within 78 seconds. The European Aviation and Safety Agency and the Federal Aviation Administration approved the results of the trial a few days later.

2 BR COTTAGE W/PRIVATE BEACH $400.....

$400? Per week? NON?!?! OUI!! Per week! Is this the deal of the century or what? Not sure, but pictures look good, description sounds right and spoke with the owner today who sounds great. I'll let you know when we get back, I plan on taking lots of pictures and telling you about all the wonderful things to do...besides wasting away the day at the beach...which I plan on doing at least a couple of the days. So, yes we're heading to Buzzards Bay, MA which, if you've never heard of is a small town that runs along the Cape Cod Canal, about 50 miles south of Boston.

We're set to leave Thursday. Now the only thing left to figure out? Do we bring the dogs?

BUY A PIECE OF THE RITZ CARLTON NY

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WHAT DO YOU WANT TO KNOW....WEDNESDAY

Albert asks:

"So... tell us about the most bizarre or weird requests that you have gotten from our fellow passengers in flight."

Ok, I know I have had some strange posts/stories this past week (i.e., gum graffiti, nose picking, and my strangest experience as a FA...it's in my radio interview) and this post will not disappoint. The absolute most bizarre and most disgusting request I have gotten was to clean up a couple's nail clippings, finger and toe! The couple was sitting next to the galley, so this request came after painfully listening to the husband clip his finger and toe nails and then proceeding to clip his wifes. All the while making a nice little collection on the tray table...yes, the very same one you all eat and drink off of. I don't think I need to tell you that I did not honor that request and I am pretty sure my feelings were written all over my face.

So, what did they do with their nail clippings? I advised them to use the air sick bag, which I think they did but will never know because I walked away as fast as I could and I didn't look back!

I could tell you so many more stories but I think I will leave you with that...keep the questions coming.

(photo courtesy of tourettesradiostream at flickr.com)

MY FIRST RADIO INTERVIEW

Click "here" to check out my radio interview with "The Trip Chicks." Host Ann Lombardi asked some great questions about my job as a Flight Attendant. The show, based in Atlanta, is an hour long, and there are two interviews before mine. My interview is the last half hour if you want to fast forward.

A big thanks to Ann and also to Blondie at, "My view from 30000 feet," for passing my my name along!

COMING HOME

As a Flight Attendant I have often seen and heard many stories from fellow Flight Attendants and Pilots of bringing our Fallen Soldiers home. I thought I would share a story I found from a passenger:

A Simple Thank You
Last week, while traveling to Chicago on business, I noticed a Marine sergeant traveling with a folded flag, but did not put two and two together. After we boarded our flight, I turned to the sergeant, who'd been invited to sit in First Class (across from me), and inquired if he was heading home.
No, he responded.
Heading out I asked?
No. I'm escorting a soldier home.
Going to pick him up?
No. He is with me right now. He was killed in Iraq. I'm taking him home to his family.
The realization of what he had been asked to do hit me like a punch to the gut. It was an honor for him. He told me that, although he didn't know the soldier, he had delivered the news of his passing to the soldier's family and felt as if he knew them after many conversations in so few days. I turned back to him, extended my hand, and said, Thank you. Thank you for doing what you do so my family and I can do what we do.
Upon landing in Chicago the pilot stopped short of the gate and made the following announcement over the intercom.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to note that we have had the honor of having Sergeant Steeley of the United States Marine Corps join us on this flight. He is escorting a fallen comrade back home to his family. I ask that you please remain in your seats when we open the forward door to allow Sergeant Steeley to deplane and receive his fellow soldier. We will then turn off the seat belt sign."
Without a sound, all went as requested. I noticed the sergeant saluting the casket as it was brought off the plane, and his action made me realize that I am proud to be an American.
So here's a public Thank You to our military Men and Women for what you do so we can live the way we do.
Stuart Margel, Washington, D.C.

(this photo and story courtesy of Kerryblogger's photostream)

Todd Heisler The Rocky Mountain News (First Place)
When 2nd Lt. James Cathey's body arrived at the Reno Airport, Marines climbed into the cargo hold of the plane and draped the flag over his casket as passengers watched the family gather on the tarmac.
During the arrival of another Marine's casket last year at Denver International Airport, Major Steve Beck described the scene as so powerful: "See the people in the windows? They sat right there in the plane, watching those Marines. You gotta wonder what's going through their minds, knowing that they're on the plane that brought him home," he said. "They will remember being on that plane for the rest of their lives. They're going t o remember bringing that Marine home. And they should."


I hope you all had a great Memorial Day and a chance to honor our Fallen Soldiers from this war and of wars past and after you've had that chance go listen John Lennon's "Imagine."

RULES FROM A CIVILAIN

Head over to Lulu's Sandbar and check out some great travel rules from a fellow passenger. Summers coming and that means full flights and novice travelers...good time to brush up on the rules. Remember, to respect each other out there....in the words of Rodney King, "Can't we just all get along?" hahahaha: )

Happy and safe travels!!

ONE WAY TO ANNOY ME

Budget Travel did an article, "Seven ways to annoy a Flight Attendant".
While there are some good points on the list, it takes a lot to ruffle my feathers. The thing that really annoys me? Passengers who pick their nose.....at their seat.....right in front of me. If you are a frequent reader, you know that I enjoy working in the First Class Cabin. It's easier to be with the frequent fliers, they don't give me a hard time when there is a delay because I have the free booze...kidding...kind of: ) But, one thing that happens more than you would believe, is men passengers pick their nose right in front of me. (sorry to pick on men specifically but I have yet to see a female passenger pick hers) I could probably get past it if I didn't have to serve the nose pickers, but inevitably they are the passengers who "forget" to put their "used" cloth napkin on their food tray and then like to hand it to me as I am passing by still serving others. I would guess that the passenger I am still serving doesn't want me taking the nose pickers napkin, at least not yet.

I would love if anyone could shed some light on this? What's the deal? Do they think I don't see them? I haven't noticed to many nose pickers off the airplane but that could be because I don't pay enough attention elsewhere. Does anyone else see this? I know other Flight Attendants do because we talk about passengers and this comes up a lot!

(post pic courtesy of photographer kaptain kobold at flickr.com)

MORE SEATTLE

When you are in Seattle don't miss out on having your picture taken with a fish!

GRAFFITI IN SEATTLE

I wondered aimlessly around Seattle with another FA on Tuesday. We didn't have an agenda, and luckily she enjoyed taking as many pictures as I did. I know I don't usually post so many photos of the same thing but this was just so gross, yet so fascinating at the same time! We walked up an alley towards Pike Market and this wall full of "gum" graffiti is what we found! All those colors are chewing gum! The funniest part is the name in the top picture. I hadn't noticed it when I took the photo but it says, Kristina. That is the name of the woman I spent the day exploring Seattle with! How strange is that?

If you want to find this "gum" wall, head to Pikes Market and if you look in this photo below you'll see Post Alley, just under the Market Theater sign...just take a left and it's a few feet down on your left! You can also get a closer look by clicking on the photos...they will enlarge so you can really see the goo: )

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO KNOW....WEDNESDAY

Albert asks:

"What other tips for us, not-so-frequent travellers do you have?"

I'm going to cheat a little this week and re-post a previous post that I think answers this question: )

Click here!

PRIVATE BEACHES AWAITING YOUR ARRIVAL

On my way to Seattle this evening, I had a retired pilot sitting in my first class cabin. We got to talking and I found out he owns a beautiful condo in Playa del Carmen, Mexico.(40 minutes south of Cancun) It sounds perfect and if I didn't have two vacations already planned in June, I'd probably go. I like the sound of a beach all to myself...especially a white sand beach and turquoise water! The swine flu scare has kept people away...there are no bookings...because of this he's cutting deals. $1800.per week for a stunning, three bedroom, beachfront home located in the brand new Luna Encantada condo development overlooking the infinity pool and Mexican Caribbean! The condo is exceptionally private and secure, yet within 1/2 block to 5th Avenue, which is an open-air pedestrian walkway with a wide variety of fine multi-national restaurants, art galleries, shops, and nightclubs. With three couples, that's only about $85. a night each!

I haven't checked airfare, but I imagine you could get a great deal on that as well. Here is an interesting fact, the airlines "cut" a lot of flights to Mexico because demand was down. Not because of the swine flu directly....just indirectly. The media played it up, but if the airlines cancelled flights because of the threat...they would have cancelled ALL the flights. I love to visit places when they're not crowded so I would take advantage of this. I may just find the time in July: )

You can check out more details and pictures of this condo and others at www.vrbo.com.

Here is some updated information on traveling to Cancun, www.cancuntravelog.com

GIRLS NEED FLIGHT PLANS NOT FAIRYTALES

I did it...I joined Twitter! I was a reluctant twit, but I have to admit I am finding some really great people there. Today I found a company called Girls with Wings. Their motto is the title of this post, "Girls need flight plans, not fairy tales!" I love it! Girls with Wings was started by a group of Women Aviators who are using aviation as a tool to entertain and educate girls about their limitless opportunities for personal growth.

As the mom of a two year old girl, this is encouraging. Those who know me, know that I discourage anything "Princess" for my daughter. I thought I was alone in these feelings until I came across this group on Twitter! Don't get me wrong, I think being a girl is fabulous!! I love the fact that my daughter loves to play dress up and is extremely feminine, I just also want her to know that she is strong and capable in her own right. I don't want her to think that she is a princess who needs to wait around for her knight in shining armor to "save" her.

I applaud Girls with Wings and if you are a Mom, Dad, Grandparent, or just someone special in a girls life, check this organization out. You'll be glad you did. They are also looking for mentors, Aviatrix you'd be great!

SHOWER CAP THE REMOTE!

Here is a great Flight Attendant trick....use a shower cap to cover the remote control in your hotel room. If you need to ask why click "here."

Another great use for shower caps? Shoe covers. Keep your dirty shoe soles away from your clothes when you pack them together.

Let me know if you have any other creative uses for shower caps, I would love to hear them....and please be earth friendly, purchase your shower caps and other travel essentials at ecoLiving Essentials.

SAN FRANCISCO SPLURGE

Attention all Flight Attendants: Next time you have a layover in SFO, treat yourself to a pedicure at Nova Nail Spa located at 811 Mission St.

Nova Nail Spa is the first nail spa in San Francisco designed with “green” interior building materials and finishes, producing a healthier experience for their guests in addition to being energy efficient and environmentally responsible.

Every detail, from the insulation to the flooring materials to the pedicure seats to the plaster on the walls to the lighting is either non-toxic, energy efficient, rapidly renewable or recycled.

And it doesn’t start and stop with the design. Nova Nail Spa products and treatments are all natural and non-acrylic. Non-toxic polishes and interior finishes combined with an extensive ventilation system, Nova Nail Spa doesn’t have that “paint shop” smell associated with traditional nail salons.

Prices start at $25 for a manicure and $40 for a pedicure...well worth it!

It really doesn't smell like a nail salon!On my recent trip to SFO my girlfriends and I relaxed and enjoyed pedicures and then headed over to North Beach for great Italian food.....and coffee.....and desert: )

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO KNOW....WEDNESDAY

This week Albert asks:

"When I am at the airport, I see all the FAs and pilots using what seems to be the same carry on. Does your airline provide these to you?"

"And more importantly... in a long trip, how do you manage to pack everything that you need and more in your carry on?" "How many days away from home is the longest scheduled trip?"

FP: It's funny that you say that it looks as though we all have the same "carry on." That is the running joke when a crew gets off a van and all the "black" luggage is lined up. Someone always says to the driver, "mines the black one!"

Luggage is considered part of our uniform and at my airline it has to be black. I would say most U.S. airline luggage is black. You would think that since it is a required "uniform" piece that it would be supplied. I can only speak for my airline but we have to buy our own replacements. We used to get a new suitcase and tote free every three years but we lost that in our last contract negotiations. I'm actually not sure if our pilots are supplied with theirs or not, I kind of doubt it. That being said, we used to receive our luggage from Travel Pro. I now buy mine from Ebags and am much happier.The Travel Pro suitcase is heavy before you even pack it and I've never had a smoother rolling bag than my Ebag brand roller board.

I've gotten pretty savvy at packing. Rolling your clothes really works. If I'm on a multiple day trip and especially if I have plans to see friends or sight see and therefore have "extra" clothing, I will roll my clothes and wrap with rubber bands. This lets me keep them real tight and I can fit more. It also cuts down on wrinkles....I hate to iron.

The longest (scheduled) trip at my airline is four days (three nights). I have seen five day trips but they're rare and usually it's a four day that gets in past midnight on the last day. I'm spoiled now and usually work two day trips, which for me is ideal. I still get the "treat" of a hotel room but I'm home the next day. One days, also known as "turns" feel too much like a "real" job to me: )

(If you like the "vintage" airline bag in the post pic, check out the ebay store I found it at: Klaytonseye04Collectibles)

MY CONTEST WINNERS, MODEL THEIR NEW T-SHIRTS!

Thank You Albert and Sherri! You both look great, and Sherri, I love Mt. Rushmore in the background! Albert and Sherri guessed why I call myself Theflyingpinto, click here if you don't know the answer.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY! WIN FOUR TICKETS FROM SOUTHWEST AIRLINES

I found a great contest for everyone!

In honor of Mother's Day Southwest Airlines is going to give away a family four-pack of airline tickets to any destination Southwest serves in the U.S. To enter, simply post a My Peanut and I Fly Southwest button somewhere online (ie: your blog and Facebook page).

You have until May 31st to enter...click here for details!

I hope everyone has a great Mother's Day! I'm flying....didn't realize it was Mother's Day when I picked up a turn...oops!

I WANT YOU.....

.....to tell me your best customer service stories. Related to flying of course. Oh, come on now, dig deep! You must have one experience to share about a FA going above and beyond?

As you know my family and I flew recently to San Francisco. I love to fly on my off time, not only because I enjoy travel but because I really appreciate getting the passenger's view of things. I've been able to improve upon my customer service skills by being a passenger. And, I'm sure like you I've seen things I like and some things...not so much.

Well, on our recent trip I experienced the great and the not so great. Our flight to SF couldn't have been better. Not only did we have two rows to ourselves, but it was more than that. Our inflight crew bent over backwards to make sure we were happy. They knew I was also a FA and they made us feel welcome and special. As you saw in a recent post they even brought Lucy a cookie from FC. It was a great flight!

The flight home was a completely different story. The flight was full and somehow the gate agent managed to seat the three of us together. Life was good. Then I started to notice the FAs. This crew was not friendly at all. They just didn't appear happy to be there. The FA working the aisle was snapping at passengers and being loud about it. This surprised me because the airline I work for is known for their friendly inflight crews. My issue came up when the FAs came through with the second beverage cart and I asked one of the FA's to fill my "to go" mug with hot water for my tea. Here's where things went sour. The FA told me that she was not allowed to do that. Huh????? She agreed to get me a cup of hot water and I could pour it in myself. When she returned with my hot water she told me that the reason she couldn't put the hot water directly into "my cup" was because I could accuse her of "putting something in it." Huh????? How stupid does that sound? She could have put "something" in the Styrofoam cup! The Styrofoam cup I was trying to avoid using in the first place, being bad for the environment. Anyway, I will admit that asking for hot water is kind of a pain in the butt thing to do, however, I usually get my hot water from Starbucks but didn't have time to do that this time and I can't tell you how many hot waters I've gotten for people over the years. I deserved my hot water! I told her I was also a FA and was curious to know where this "rule" is written. She didn't have much to say after that. Had it just been the hot water I probably wouldn't even be writing this post but after seeing them interact with the passengers,(disengaged and rude) I can see where the FAs can make or break a customer's perception of an airline. I have my off days but I truly try to smile at work and not act bothered when I have to go out of my way, is it too much to ask the same in return?

There's my story. Now I would like to hear your story but only the good ones! I want to hear when a FA was great. I know I got to tell my bad tale but I don't hear enough stories of superb customer service. And the purpose of me telling that story was to let you know how I improve upon my customer service skills, by watching and experiencing the good and the bad. So, like I said, dig deep and share your nice FA stories : )

(post pic courtesy of: "What makes the pie shop tick" Check out more of his work at flickr.com)

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO KNOW....WEDNESDAY

OK! I did it again!! It's Thursday, although I'm writing on Wednesday night. I guess that's were the confusion comes in. I could blame it on age.....or Mommy brain.....anyway, here are the answers to your questions!

From Angel:
Questions from the non-industry worker. ;)

I know I try not to buy food when I'm at work, but if I traveled - forget it! I'd be broke and 100 pounds heavier.

Do you get comped for your food while traveling? If not, do you set specific budgets for specific cities? For example, if you knew you were going somewhere that had yummy food, do you splurge?

FP: Hi Angel, thanks for your question. We do get comped for our food. It's not much, somewhere around $2.00 per hour that you are away from your home domicile. So, yes I definitely "splurge" in certain cities. Seattle, San Francisco, Chicago, and Boston to name a few!

If I am working a trip that is productive, meaning more flying less down time, I do bring my own food. I have a great cooler, from Ebags.com...and what a great cooler it is! It's on sale right now for $29.99, marked down from $50.00! You'd be surprised how much food I do bring. I usually bring perishables that I will use up the first day of my trip and the rest of my food might be tuna, soup, almonds, etc. I am actually planning on doing a post on what my cooler looks like packed and ready to go, so look for that.

And, as far as being heavy and broke? Well, depends. As a new "reserve" FA you're usually broke and hungry, so at least you avoid being fat: ) It's when you decide to fly as an International FA that the fat threat comes into play! Imagine flying late at night with nothing to do but eat leftover ice cream sundaes and all kinds of cheese with crackers! Dangerous! It can be worse than the freshman 15: )

From Albert:
Now, tell us... Your most embarrassing moment as a FA? (at least the one that you will admit publicly!).

And to even things out... your most brilliant moment as a FA?

FP: Albert's questions are more difficult: ) My most embarrassing moment? I guess I would have to say, several years ago when I was flying with a very funny male FA who reminded me of Martin Short. He and I were working on the bar cart together and he decided to embarrass me by asking me how my boyfriend was. I was caught completely off guard because when I answered "great" he went on to say, real loud for everyone to hear, "you know, you really shouldn't date married pilots...you'll never get anything...he'll never leave his wife...and if he does....you'll get half...half of his time...half of his income...blah...blah...blah!!!

He, of course made all of this up but I was ten shades of red with no where to hide and what could I say? Ummm, it's not true! Don't believe him! In retrospect it was funny but at the time I wanted to jump over the cart and kill him: )

My most brilliant? hmmm? All my days are brilliant.....ok...maybe not all of them; - ) I guess my most brilliant was when I had to take over for the pilots and land the airplane....kidding.....ha...ha!!

I guess I would say it was the "fire" that turned out not to be a fire on board. In the few emergencies I've had I was able to stay calm and perform my duties. My training really kicked in.

Thanks again for the great questions, and Albert remind me next Tuesday that I have to do my Wednesday post that night......will ya, please?

STILL ON VACATION.....

.......But thought I would share a couple of interesting stories with you from blogs I enjoy:

Stilettos in the Sand is an incredible account of an American Woman living in Saudi Arabia. Her recent post is about a man on a plane who demanded that the air steward oblige a fellow passenger to cover her hair and bring a "mehram" (male guardian) after refusing to put on his seat belt!

Also of interest:

The Sky Steward has an idea I love....The Upgrade Bag...check it out, you'll see what I mean: )

and be sure to check in on Wednesday when I answer a couple of great questions:

From Angel:
Questions from the non-industry worker. ;)

I know I try not to buy food when I'm at work, but if I traveled - forget it! I'd be broke and 100 pounds heavier.

Do you get comped for your food while traveling? If not, do you set specific budgets for specific cities? For example, if you knew you were going somewhere that had yummy food, do you splurge?

From Albert:
Now, tell us... Your most embarrassing moment as a FA? (at least the one that you will admit publicly!).

And to even things out... your most brilliant moment as a FA?

COOKIE MONSTER

Guess who got a "First Class Cookie" on the way to San Francisco?

WELCOME FREE FLYING MOM!

My next post will be from San Francisco, we're are heading out in the morning...a mere few hours from now...to visit our very great friends. You may remember from an earlier post (Traveling and non-reving are not created equal) that Lucy and I tried and failed to get on a flight to SF earlier in the month. Well, my friends 40th birthday has passed but there is still reason to celebrate...always...so off we go with over 100 seats available on our flight! Amazing! What a difference a few weeks make: )

I also wanted to introduce Free Flying Mom (yes, she's my mom) to all of you. She is going to be a contributor to The Flying Pinto. As you can imagine she has her own stories from the past 16 years to tell and yes, she does fly for free! So, if you get the chance check out her site, FREEFLYINGMOM.COM and let her know if you have any questions.She'll be able to give you the "airline parents" perspective. Just in case you too decide to "give birth" to a Flight Attendant." (ha, ha)

OFF THE BEATEN PATH.....FROM COMPUTERS TO AVIATION

Here is the second interview in my series, Off the Beaten Path. It's a series of interviews with people who have jumped off the hamster wheel of life and have chose to follow their dreams. Hopefully, some of you will be inspired to follow your bliss: )

My interview this week is with Michael, I've known Michael since the sixth grade and naturally we lost touch as adults. I ran into Michael working one of my flights out of Boston, he was a passenger on a business trip, we were about 28 at the time. We caught up a little and he shared with me that he loved aviation and actually planned on working in his current field of computers until the age of 30, at which time he would pursue his dream of being a pilot. Now, not to be negative but Michael was married (to his HS sweat heart, Liza: ) with 2 kids! I wished him well, but truthfully figured he would stay "stuck" where he was. Well, here we are over 10 years later and Michael not only pursued his passion but is now an employed pilot for Fed Ex! Here is his story:

FP: When did you know you wanted to become a pilot? Have you always had an interest in aviation?

Michael:I had always had an interest in flying, but knew relatively nothing about it growing up. I didn't have any relatives or friends that were pilots, in either general aviation, airlines or military. Growing up near the local airport, I had always seen planes fly over the house and had always thought about how cool it would be to fly. As a kid, I use to ride my bike over to the airport just to watch the planes come and go. My real interest in flying came when I was a Jr. in high school. It sounds stupid, and I'm not alone, but after seeing "Top Gun", I had finally answered a that question of, "What do you want to do when you grow up?" I was 16.

FP: I never knew anything about aviation either! Amazing that my 2 year old has already flown more than a dozen times! Why didn't you pursue being a pilot right out of High School?

Michael: The military thing didn't work out for me, so I opted to put flying on the back burner and pursue my other interest, baseball. I played at the U of Arizona for a couple of years, but flying never really left my mind. After graduation from Arizona, Liza and I moved back to Plymouth and I started my first job as a Systems Analyst for T.J. Maxx (my college major was MIS).

FP: So, when did you start pursuing aviation? Did you take your flying lessons at Plymouth Airport? Is ground school still free? I thought that was pretty cool that they have that.

Michael: It wasn't long after, that I finally bit the bullet and started my private pilot flying lessons at Alpha One (yes, they still had the free ground school). Every Saturday, Liza and my parents would all go down to the airport and have breakfast while I did my lessons, it really was almost tradition. It took me roughly 6 months, mostly due to weather, to get my private pilot's license. It's funny, but I realized early in my training that I had a certain "feel" for flying. It was the same "feel" I had with computers and software, so I knew it would come relatively easy for me. This was in 1993, so I was 23 when I got my license.

Over the course of the next few years, I picked up an Instrument and Commercial rating, but my flying took a back seat due to the birth of my two sons, Jack and Derek, and a new job. I'm pretty sure this is when I saw you on the flight, so I was 28.

Before Fedex, as previously mentioned, I was an analyst for T.J. Maxx. In 1996, I left and went to work for a software company, which turned out to be the greatest move of my life. This went so well, that I was afforded the opportunity to start another career. This happened in 2003. I had been flying alot for various people around Plymouth, Marshfield and Bedford. I had 3 jet type ratings and was doing well as a "contract pilot." In 2003, my software company was bought by another company and fallout was something I really didn't want to deal with. So Liza and I made the decision to try my hand at another career as a pilot. We had 2 kids, 8 and 6 at the time, so things were pretty stable. Financially we were doing well, so it was the perfect opportunity. After some serious networking and "contract" flying, I landed a dream job at EMC Corporation flying Hawkers and a Gulfstream IV. Absolutely fantastic job. I seriously loved every minute of it.

FP: So, what was your first "real" flying job?

Michael: My first real flying job was at Plymouth Airport, flying Beechjets and Hawkers. I liked it. Mostly Part 91 and some Part 135. It exposed me to some incredible opportunities.

FP: How did the career change affect your family?

Michael: I'm sure my career change had some affect on my boys, but not as much as I expected. They had no idea what I did before flying, except for "computers". As soon as the FDX thing happened, at least they understood that I was "pilot" now. Did it they benefit solely from this move? Maybe a little, but I've always been a good father to the boys and have taught them the correct core values to be successful in life. They understand that "they" are responsible for themselves and if they want to do something in life, they will always have that opportunity.

FP: Keep going, you have such a great story! How did you land your current position at Fed Ex? How many flight hours did you have when they hired you as a pilot?

Michael: Then the inevitable happened. As strange as it sounds, most pilots I know dream of landing a job at a "major" airline. I had put my apps in at Southwest (yes, I did get a 737 rating) and Fedex and UPS. I had friends at Southwest, so I tried to work that angle, but was never offered an interview. Then one day in 2004, I was flying at EMC with a temp contractor pilot, who was a retired 35 yr 747 captain at TWA. He said to me, "Would you ever think about an airline job?" I said, "Sure, but my choices are pretty limited." He then says to me, "Well goddamn, I have a good friend of mine at Fedex. Would you like me to call him for you?" I was flabbergasted. I said, "Sure". Well, things happened so fast it was unbelievable. I had done my homework, so I knew what the procedures were for getting an interview at Fedex. Next thing you know, in Oct 2004, there I am sitting in front of the FDX System Chief Pilot telling him my story. I didn't really think much of it, I was just trying to do my best. So there I am, happy as a clam with a great job, and wham, as I'm sitting in training in Dallas, I get the phone call. "This is FDX, we'd like to interview you." I couldn't believe it, this never happens to guys like me, especially civilians. I went to interview very well prepared, and sure enough, I get the phone call in Feb 2005, "your hired, can you be in class in March?" I had about 5000 hours at the time.

FP: Wow, obviously you took the job. How big of a decision was that for you?

Michael: It was probably the hardest decision I have ever had to make. I was looking at leaving a great job for an unknown. I was taking a huge paycut as well, and to top it all off, the same day I got the "you're hired" phone call, Liza tells me that she's pregnant. Imagine the stress. After alot of soul searching, I finally decided to resign from EMC and go to class at FDX. March 21, 2005 I started class. On March 26, after the 1st week of indoc, I jumpseated home because Liza was scheduled for her first ultrasound. Picture this, Liza lying on the table with the technician doing her thing, and me standing there with my two boys by my side. I see Liza and the technician whisper something and then look at me with an expression I will never forget. Liza then holds up 2 fingers and says, they're twins. As my knees buckled, I had to walk out of the room. I couldn't believe what I had just heard. New job and 2 new members of the family all at once, my god, how was this going to work.

Liza and the boys were great during our transition. I was an engineer on the 727, and thankfully, I had instant seniority due to the timing of my new hire class. I was flying to PVD every night and running home in the morning, which I hope made it easier on Liza. The twins were newly born and our life was constant chaos. God bless my wife. It taught me alot about my marriage and my family. Everybody sacrificing for the will of the family.

FP: I love that! You do have a great wife! You need to have a lot of support and a strong, secure relationship when one of you works for an airline and travels a lot. It is harder being the one left at home...especially with 4 kids!! So, what has been your favorite destination?

Michael: My favorite destination is a tough one. I've been all over the world, but I really look forward to "warm" places. Hawaii is fantastic, Singapore, Australia, and Brazil to name a few. If I had to pick one, it would probably be Hawaii or New Zealand.

FP: I saw the photo of you and your son on John Travolta's airplane. Did you get to meet him? (see post pic)

Michael: I did get to meet John and his wife Kelly. His chief pilot was my sim partner during my 737 type rating course in Dallas.

FP: Very cool! Thank You Michael, you are an inspiration for anyone wanting to pursue a career in aviation! I'll see you and Liza at the next reunion...we won't mention which one; - )

After my interview with Michael I came across a Darren's blog, Byrdinthesky. I thought it was an amazing coincidence because just like Michael, Darrens background is in computers. He changed careers with the support of his wife. He is now a pilot, living his dream! He has a great blog and is enthusiastic about his career choice and will answer any questions you have about becoming a pilot, so go check him out!

THE SECRET RECIPE FOR FIRST CLASS COOKIES....SHHHHHH!

(Post pic courtesy of bliss' photo stream)

Or at least the secret to a more enjoyable flight! First Class Cookies.......mmmmm.......what can I tell you? They are warm right out of the oven and they taste as good as they smell. Cookies are great, they make people happy. It's rare that a passenger will turn down his/her cookie. In fact, they'll usually have a glass of milk with the cookie which is funny because hardly any adult orders milk as a drink. But, bring out warm cookies, and milk is the beverage of choice. I know you can smell them in coach and, I'm sorry! I wish I had enough for everyone. It's probably not a bad idea. Surfing the Internet all I ever read is how bad FAs are...mean, stupid, rude etc. Maybe if we gave passengers a warm cookie it would help: ) I know passengers in First Class can't help being nice once they have their cookie. So, here's what I'm going to do to make everyone happy on their next flight. I'm going to share the recipe for First Class Chocolate Chip Cookies......ok.....it's really my recipe.......well, not mine exactly. Toll House Cookies actually. But, I do have two tricks for baking cookies. If you like your cookies to stay "right out of the oven soft" you need to follow the recipe for Toll House Cookies, except use all brown sugar and most important, take the cookies out of the oven before they look done.They will still be a little gooey on the inside and the edges should barely be starting to brown. Every oven is different so you need to watch them bake until you figure how long this is with your oven.

Next what I want you to do, is call your airline before your next flight and find out what kind of aircraft you will be flying on. Specifically, how many passenger seats and how many crew members will be on board. What? You think I'm crazy? Well, you can't just bring enough cookies for yourself, can you? Ok, well at least find out how many crew members will be on board;- )

Here is the recipe....add baking to your trip planning and next time you smell those FC cookies you can indulge right along with FC (the milk is still free in coach).....and here's another secret....if you follow this recipe, your cookies will be better than FC!

TOLL HOUSE COOKIES:

Ingredients:

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar (replace with brown sugar)
  
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• 2 cups (12-oz. pkg.) NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels
• 1 cup chopped nuts

Directions:
PREHEAT oven to 375° F.

COMBINE flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in morsels and nuts. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets.

BAKE for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

(post pic courtesy of bliss' photo stream from flickr...check out bliss' pics he has over 4,700 amazing travel photo's!)

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO KNOW....WEDNESDAY

QzakGirl asks:

The "A View From the Top" picture gave me an idea for a question.
What's the training like? I've heard it's pretty intense, and they "cut" people like crazy. Kinda like a reality show! ;)
So...what's it like?

FP: Training or "Barbie Boot Camp" as its been coined, is intense! I had no idea what I had gotten myself into. The training to become a Flight Attendant is usually six weeks long and it's not about learning how to serve meals....and now with hardly any airline serving meals, why would it be? So, what is it all about?

• Familiarity with the aircrafts
• Familiarity with the emergency equipment
• First aid
• Fighting fires
• Ditchings (see post pics)
• And the big one, Evacuations, better known as "Evacs"

"Evacs" is when we learn how to evacuate an airplane. This part of our training is the most intense and is probably why you heard about people being "cut like crazy." The airlines definitely operate like a reality show. I am actually surprised we haven't seen a reality show based on FA training or Crash Pad living. The worst part about training was when people were let go. We had a written test everyday and you could only fail one (and you'd have to pass the re-take) during the entire six weeks. You had two tries with "evacs" if you didn't "pass" the first day, you had a re-take the next day and that was it if you didn't pass then. The fact that people got sent home didn't bother me as much as the way it was done. It was seriously bizarre the first time it happened, we took our test in the morning, took a break, came back to our classroom where the lights were turned out so we could watch a video and I'm not kidding when the lights went back on, "Susie Trainee" was gone! As in, gone, no goodbyes, nice to know you, gone!! They found her on the break and then sent someone in to gather her belongings and sent her on a flight home!! This continued the whole six weeks and like I mentioned we lost the most people during "evacs." My class started with 65 Flight Attendant Candidates and we graduated with 43! There is a lot more I could tell you about training but I am saving it for my next article in Hip Compass Escape Magazine, which hits the virtual news stands June 15!

Update: I realized this morning that it is in fact Thursday: ) Another thing about being a Flight Attendant? We hardly ever know what day of the week it is!

AS THE AIRLINER PUSHED BACK FROM THE GATE.....

I FOUND THIS AT COMICSVOICE.COM and thought it was pretty cute...a sign of the times!


As the airliner pushed back from the gate, the flight attendant gave the passengers the usual information regarding seat belts etc. Finally, she said, "Now sit back and enjoy your trip while your captain, Judith Campbell and crew take you safely to your destination."brbrJoe sitting in the 8th row thought to himself, "Did I hear her right - is the captain a woman? I think I better have scotch and soda."brbrWhen the attendants came by with drink cart, he said, "Did I understand you right? Is the captain a woman?"brbr"Yes," said the attendant, "In fact, this entire crew is female."brbr"My God," said Joe, "I'd better have two scotch and sodas. I don't know what to think of all those women up there in the cockpit."brbr"That's another thing," said the attendant, "We no longer call it the cockpit."

LEARN A NEW LANGUAGE! FOR FREE!

Are you interested in learning a new language? Maybe you are planning a trip to Italy, or France? Livemocha.com is a great way to get started. There are a lot of languages to choose from....everything from Arabic to Zulu......of course there's Spanish and French too: ) You can work with other students on line and there's even an online community of native speakers you can practice with. You work at your own pace but beware they will send you progress reports if you miss your assignments....I have gotten a few, which brought back too many memories of HS!

WOULD YOU PAY $297,922 FOR A YEARS WORTH OF ORANGE JUICE?

And that's just the shipping! I mentioned in a previous post that colored paint on an aircraft weighs more than white paint and therefore increases the amount of fuel used, well here are a few more interesting facts. Here is a list of how much more an airline spends on fuel per year by carrying these products on board:

• 1/2 lb milk= $74,480. per year
• 1 lb of O.J.= $148,961. per year
• 2lbs of O.J.= $297,922. per year
• 3lbs of of water= $446,883. per year
• 5lbs. of ice = $744,805. per year
• 8lbs of water= $1,191,688. per year
  

Post pic courtesy of Babies Travel Lite (diapers, formula, and more delivered worldwide)

FEAR OF FLYING AND THE CURE.....

I came across this post yesterday, "Fear of Flying and it's Cure". It is a funny, well written post that I thought I would share with you. Here is an excerpt from it:

But here's the weird thing - I'm afraid to fly. No, REALLY. Just ask my wife who threatened to divorce me on a flight to Costa Rica. I had my head buried in her lap with a blanket over my head. I think I squeezed her so hard it has led to fibromyalgia. I made inhuman noises every time the plane bumped. I asked that they give me an entire bottom of wine in an IV drip. White knuckle does not begin to describe that flight.

And then about five years ago...I found the cure: International First Class.

I was hired to help write something in London and the company I was working with gave me a first class ticket.

Turns out I wasn't so much afraid to fly...I just had never flown correctly. International First Class is dandy. It is ridiculously expensive. You could buy a small Armenian Village for as much. But when someone else is paying it is the only way to go.

Having spent most of my flying life in 33c, I never knew what 2a was doing. Turns out they were having a lovely party.

Check it out at: froynlaven.blogspot.com
post pic courtesy of: What makes the pie shops tick

MONTHLY LINE AWARDS

Every month Flight Attendants bid for their next months schedule. Our bid packets come out around the 15th of the month and our bids "close" on the 21st. In between that time we go through our bid packet and select in order of preference what we would like to have as a schedule, also known as a "line." Lines are built anywhere from 21 days off a month down to 10 days off a month, from one day trips to four days. Lines are then "awarded" in seniority order. It is a pretty exhausting process, one I still haven't figured out a good system for. You would think that since my husband only works eight days a month that I would have an easy enough time working around his schedule but his schedule rotates and is not the same two days every week which actually makes it difficult. We usually end up with three or four days that interfere with each other, but it's something I resolve by "advertising" those trips to other FAs or personal dropping (scheduling will take the trips back, coverage permitting). That's an example of the flexibility I'm always talking about, so it usually works out.

We also have a great thing called job sharing, which is what I have been doing with my girlfriend the last couple of months. We bid one schedule and the line award gos to the senior FA....which happens to be my friend, by one number.....and we split the schedule in half any way we like. This has worked out great but next month she wants to fly a full schedule, which left me to have to bid. Like I said, I don't have a great system and I hate going through that giant bid packet so I took the lazy way out which is to bid for a vacation relief line. I like vacation lines for a couple of reasons:

1. They're kind of a gamble, and I'm usually lucky
2. I only have to bid about 20 lines vs. hundreds of choices
3. and their senior FAs schedules

I'll explain, vacation lines are a compilation of four FAs schedules. When a FA has a week of vacation, the trip or trips they would have flown that week become part of the vacation line. This is done four times equalling four weeks of vacation with four different FAs. The risky part is not knowing what they might bid. They may be senior and still like four day trips, in which case I wouldn't be so lucky since I don't care for four days. But, I did get lucky, very lucky. We switched to a new bidding system this month, no big deal just a new bid screen. Well, I only bid about 10 lines, all vacation lines and I didn't get any of my choices! When this happens the computer automatically assigns you the next line in the bid packet that your seniority holds. I was assigned a line that I wasn't to happy with but didn't think much of it, until I got a call today. A call from my inflight department, saying that there was a glitch in the new bidding system and that I should have held my first choice. Me and about five others. Hmmm, they obviously can't go and take that line away from the person who did get it. What can they do? They decided to let me wipe my line clean and go into the computer and pick up from our "open time." Open time is extra trips they have in the system which are available to everyone but not until April 28th....I get to go in on April 27th and "build" my line any way I like! There are a lot of very senior trips available. Did I mention I can work any days I want and have any days off I want? Did I mention how lucky I am...very.....very lucky: )

PET AIRWAYS

When I first heard about this I thought it was a crazy idea but after checking out their website Petairways.com I am sold! I am lucky enough that my four legged babies (pictured above) are small enough to travel with us.....under the seat in front of us. Now those of you with medium or larger size dogs have the option of buying them a ticket on their very own airline! No more cargo bin for Fido! I have heard that some dogs are never quite the same after flying in an airplane cargo bin and I believe it because I hear those poor dogs. I can actually hear them while I am sitting in the back galley of the plane. Sometimes they cry the entire flight! I'm sure you're skeptical like I was but check out their site, Petairways.com and this price comparison chart. This chart is what sold me! I had no idea it cost so much to carry your pet on the plane.....another benefit of being a FA, my pets fly free too: ) Pet Airways prices start at $149. each way, extremely comparable to what it would cost to carry your pet on board and sometimes cheaper than cargo on some airlines.

I wonder if there is inflight entertainment, maybe 101 Dalmations?

Airline	Under Seat	As Baggage
Air Canada	Not Avail	$105
AirTran	$69	Not Avail
Alaska	$100	$100
American Airlines	$100	$150
Continental	$125	$125
Delta	$150	$275
Frontier	Not Avail	$100
Hawaiian Air	$175	$225
Jet Blue	$100	Not Avail
Midwest	$100	$100
Northwest Airlines	$150	$225
Southwest	Not Avail	Not Avail
Spirit Air	$100	Not Avail
United Airlines	$175	$250
US Airways	$100	Not Avail
Virgin Airlines	$100	Not Avail

FUNNY E-MAIL

Dear FP,

In regards to your article, Flying with Dummies:

I think all crying babies should be sedated and fly in cargo hold.

This would allow the parents to save on airfare and enjoy a few cocktails.

Then, if turbulence occurred they would be relaxed and not frightened by this event.

P.S. Babies should be packed in tempurpedic foam for their protection.

-A concerned passenger

Dear Concerned Passenger,

Assuming this letter is meant to be funny...(I hope,since I was laughing hysterically).....and I don't need to turn you in to social services, here is my response to you:

It sounds like you have had a few bad experiences sitting next to crying babies? Sedating the babies is probably not a good idea but you are welcome to take a Benadryl , use your eye mask and ear plugs and you'll most likely sleep through all the ruckus. Cargo is not a great way to save on airfare, it is actually expensive. The reason some of our routes make money is due to cargo, not passenger load!

I have to disagree with the tempurpedic.....especially since it's Earth Day...this is a very toxic, not environmentally friendly product. But, I'm open to more suggestions.

You could also choose to fly on an all "adult airline".....but I can't promise that you won't be screaming once the plane takes off: )

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO KNOW....WEDNESDAY

Albert asked:

My question today... "How did you feel the call to be a FA?" "Have you ever thought about changing jobs?" "Will you still love to be a FA in the future?"

Yikes! That's three questions: )

1. How did you feel the call to be a FA? The "glamour" called of course: ) No, seriously, there really wasn't a calling to be a FA....the calling was "what am I going to do with my life?" I was 23 and hadn't finished college, was trying my hand at real estate, which I probably would've liked but lacked the self confidence at 23 that you need for sales. So, I asked myself that question...."what am I going to do?" and I thought, "hmmm, I could be a Flight Attendant!" This was on a Wednesday, I mentioned it to my Mom and my boyfriend at the time. I then looked in the Sunday paper for job postings, and there it was! A major airline was hiring! I went to the first interview on Tuesday (the cattle call) and was invited back for a second interview on Wednesday and was invited to training that day! Exactly one week from when I decided to become a FA! I know it usually doesn't happen that fast but I lucked out and I fell in love with the lifestyle!
   
2. "Have you ever thought about changing jobs?" Changing jobs? No. Doing something else along with being a FA? All the time. I'm entrepreneurial and always have ideas in my head. That's one of the best things about my job, I can fly as little or as much as I want to. I can take leaves of absence and come back as if I never left. I can even use my flight benefits while on leave. It's a great career if you love freedom and flexibility.
   
3. "Will you still love to be a FA in the future?" You can probably figure out my answer to this question, yes! That's why we have so many Senior FAs, there's no reason to quit. The flexibility is unbelievable and it only gets better the more senior you get. The job is not for everyone.....you either love it or hate it....if it's not for someone they'll usually quit within the first year. If they haven't quit by then? Their usually in it for the long hall.

post pic from: "A View From the Top"

WHAT'S IN YOUR (FA) CARRY ON?

"Is that all you have in your Flight Attendant carry on?" This is the question I received in not one but several e-mails after my post, What's in your carry on?

The answer is no....not even close! My crew (tote) bag (not to be confused with my suitcase) has a lot more stuff, here's what's inside:

• inflight manual
• cabin key
• flashlight
• books
• pens....even more than the other bag
• notebooks
• passport
• Ziploc bags...empty (I accumulate)
  
• hose (extra pair)
• inflight shoes
• tons of airline napkins with names/numbers and notes (even though I have notebooks?)
• computer
• phone
• pictures
• rosary beads from the Vatican (not because I'm religious but because I'm Irish Catholic and I bought them for my Aunt who has since passed and they were given back to me... so, therefore special)
• love notes from my husband
• alarm clocks
• lip stick
• Bath and Body Works body cream (Vanilla)
• lint brush
• hair brush
• make-up kit
• sun glasses
• cash (ones for van driver and maid tips)
• bid packet
• my revenge-is coffee mug
• my klean kanteen
• snacks
• band aids
• Excedrin
• cough drops
• vitamins
• camera
• magazines...tons of magazines, passengers leave loads of mags behind: )
• ear plugs
• i-pod
• eye mask
• nail polish
• sweater
• playing cards (for passengers to use...yes, I'm that good;-)
• gardening gloves (used as oven mitts)
• apron
• kid scissors
• tape

there's probably more...you'd look at my bag and think, "no way is all that stuff in there...but it is: )