EARNING MY WINGS: JOURNAL EXCERPTS FROM THE BEGINNING

By The Flying Pinto


April 1, 1993

Well, here I am. Home. Tim picked me up at the airport and I cried like a baby as soon as I saw him but truth be told I am happy to be here. As soon as we opened the door to our apartment Louie stretched out and wouldn’t stop meowing. I’m happy today. When they told me I failed and had to go home, they let me know I could call as soon as my class graduated and set up another interview to try and come back. I really don’t think that I will. Why would I want to work for a company that treats people the way that woman treated me?

April 5, 1993

My old boss from Boston Trolley Tours offered me a job selling tickets until I figure out what I’m doing. That was a huge relief considering I’m broke. Our lease is up next month and Tim is still moving to the cape. I really don’t know what I want to do. I would rather stay in the city but I would have to find room mates and figure out what to do. I definitely don’t want to go back to giving tours. I can’t!

April 8, 1993

Ok, I am going to call the airline and ask for an interview. I can’t sell tickets for trolley tours the rest of my life, and my mom had a good point. When I told her I couldn’t work for the airline after the way I was treated and I definitely couldn’t go back and kiss that instructors ass for six weeks, she said, “I understand, but sometimes you have to ask yourself if your decision is good for your long term plans. If you suck it up and kiss that instructors ass for the short term to get what YOU want in the long term is it worth it? Why give up what you want because of her?” I thought that was a good point! I’m ready to go back. I just can’t believe I have to wait and re-interview!

April 17, 1993

My original flight attendant class graduated yesterday. My friends at work all took me out to Las Brisas after work to lighten the blow. It was fun to hang out, everyone was pretty trashed especially Steve. We walked through Faneuil Hall around 2am and Steve told us he really wanted a sausage from the cart outside (gross) but the guy was closing up and wouldn’t sell him one. Well, that wasn’t good enough for Steve, he offered the guy hundred dollars for a sausage! I swear! I still can’t believe it. Debbie and I laughed so hard we almost peed our pants!! I’m still laughing! I’m sure he woke up this morning wondering where the @*&^%# his money was!

April 19, 1993

I called the airline today and I have an interview set up for Wednesday. I’m taking the first flight out in the morning to Houston and flying back the same day!

April 21, 1993

It’s the end of a long day, and the good news is I head back to training June 8. The woman I met with today was really nice and told me I had a great attitude about everything. She said the only reason they don’t give people another chance is when their attitude is poor and they try to blame everyone else for not being successful.

Guess I fooled her!

April 23, 1993

After work today I went to the book store and looked through the whole travel section. I can’t wait to get back to training and start flying. I wonder a year from now, where will I have been? I’m excited again!

*note to younger self: Things really did work out for the best, one of your best friends today becomes your room mate this time around in training. And where did you get to go that first year? Lets just say you needed your passport for your very first trip;-)

If you need to catch up on my journals you can find the first entry and everything I’ve posted since here…flightattendantjournals.blogspot.com

Trackback

9 comments

  1. JohnOnOahu @ 2009-09-07 06:14

    I'm impressed…I really, honestly don't think I could have gone back.

    I got "written up" for a minor infraction in training 15 years ago and STILL have trouble speaking to the guy who did it. (Even though he is good friends with my best friend)

  2. Well, I am sure we all are glad that you went back to training. I am also happier that you listened to your mom, not many do these days.
    The life lesson here is to balance your short term needs with your long term goals. Thank you for sharing

  3. Wow! Such an exciting story to read and what a beautiful piece of advice your mother gave you! Looking forward to the rest of your stories!

  4. FreeFlyingMom @ 2009-09-07 16:20

    My Dear FP you are so lovely…I am so glad you became a Mother so that you in turn will know the joy and pride I feel as the mother of you and your sister.

  5. Joanna Jenkins @ 2009-09-07 16:38

    Good for you. I'm not sure I could have gone back more more.

    I LOVE this series!

    xo

  6. The Friendly Skies @ 2009-09-07 19:40

    your mom is a wise person! 🙂 Glad that things worked out so well for you… sometimes the things that happen to us are for the best.

    Again, love these! Thanks for sharing. 🙂

  7. Captain G @ 2009-09-07 20:54

    Thanks for visiting our blog. I find your blog quite interesting as well. Since we fly so much, lets hope to catch each other in the friendly skies.

  8. love the journal!!

  9. meredith @ 2009-09-15 15:24

    I'm loving reading your blog! I found you on twitter, and have been reading there, but now I'm catching up on your blog. I've recently been thinking of making a life change, and becoming a flight attendant. so your experiences are really helping me make sure it's the right thing to do.

    I have a major wanderlust about me, but I have a steady job. it's a hard decision in this economy. I work as a designer and photographer, and I still need to let out my creativity. I'm curious if you know any other flight attendants that also work as freelancers. I don't know how much spare time you get as a flight attendant. but it was my childhood chosen profession 🙂

    major problem – i'm pretty quiet. do you think that's a definite answer that I won't make it?