It definitely takes a special person who can handle the job; one who enjoys flying, is independent and can handle many different, unique situations. Those that make it past the first six months tend to have it in their blood and become what we refer to as “Lifers.” On a personal note, having worked for an airline for 20 years, I am definitely a “Lifer” and find that being a flight attendant is not as much a job as it is a lifestyle.

Here are seven surprising reasons this career draws so much interest:

1. You’re not too old! Are you thinking about a midlife career change? Are you retired and looking for something to keep you active and social? Airlines don’t discriminate against older applicants. There is no ageism with the flight attendant career. The airline industry appreciates anyone who has raised a family or has had experience in customer service. Having worked with schedules, people and handling crisis after crisis are just a few of the skill sets needed to be a flight attendant. I had a 63-year-old gentleman in my training class, a retired teacher. Who better to make an airplane full of passengers happy?
2. Equal pay for equal work. A flight attendant career is one of the few that also doesn’t discriminate against one’s gender. And, contrary to the popular stereotype, male flight attendants are not all gay, but, if they are…
3. More equality. The airlines were one of the first industries to grant equality to gay people in the form of travel benefits, health insurance and other benefits that may only be afforded to traditional couples at other companies.
4. Free travel. You’ve probably heard flight attendants complaining that non-reving or “stand by” travel isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. I disagree. The flight attendant lifestyle is a flexible one, which allows you to travel anytime you want. Paris in January? Why not? I’ve been all over the world sometimes waiting until the day prior to pick a destination according to where first class was available. Yes, I said first class. Have you looked up fares to Europe from the U.S. in first class? And, it’s not just for me. My parents, spouse or partner and children all have my benefits. My family has joined me on long layovers and my five year old has been to Canada, Europe and traveled the U.S. All for free.
5. Another common misconception is low pay. Most of the vocalization regarding the low salary of flight attendants comes from new flight attendants (under five years) or regional carrier flight attendants. I’ll agree that you’ll never get rich as a flight attendant, although I know many who make well over100,000 per year. At my airline you can fly through your vacation time and end up with almost 200 flight hours for that month. As pay increases and tops out at about 50 an hour, flying can become very profitable; it all depends on how many hours you choose to pick up. The average schedule is around 80 hours a month. Not bad for what I call a “part time” gig with plenty of flexibility and benefits.
6. Speaking of flexibility, you probably also heard that seniority is everything at the airlines and that one is true. Once you have what’s called a “line” meaning you are off of “reserve status” (on call) it’s pretty much like running your own business, but without the headaches. You bid your schedule, trade it around so it works for you and your lifestyle, working mostly without supervision. The best part? There’s no work to bring home with you. Once the last passenger has deplaned, you’re done! Bye bye, now!
7. You have instant family. That means more than 90,000 family members world wide! And with social media we’re even closer. I’ve belonged to a private flight attendant group on Facebook for the past year. Since then I’ve seen flight attendants pull together and raise money for injured or sick flight attendants, and I’ve witnessed an unbelievable amount of support with family issues and work issues. I’ve even seen flight attendants pull together to rescue animals by raising money for vet costs and helping get them to new homes across the country. Flight attendants are amongst the nicest, most giving people I have ever met. Surprised? Don’t be. Just like bad passengers, the bad flight attendants stand out. If you encounter a mean stew move on to another. Chances are they’ll be more helpful.

Are you interested in the flight attendant career? Have you had the chance to check out my flight attendant survival guide? It’s available on Amazon, Nook, Vook and iBooks.

“Ever wonder what the lifestyle of a flight attendant is like? Whether you are newly hired or on the track to becoming a flight attendant this guide will help you navigate through your new adventures. With advice from finding your new crash pad to love relationships to how to pack for your trips and everything in between this is a must read for anyone thinking about a career in the skies.”

Guest post by flight attendant Raul Zambrana

I want to share with you something that just happened to me on my last flight. This experience has grounded me, humbled me and reminded me why I still love my job and also why I love being an American. A great true story for this Memorial Day weekend. 

While I was in Houston, and while dealing with all the screw ups with the weather, flight cancellations and crew scheduling, I saw a teenager (16 yrs old) seated behind the gate check-in counter crying. I noticed her bracelet and realized she is a UM (unaccompanied minor). I approached her and asked her if she was ok. She did not speak English. I asked if she spoke Spanish and she said “si” (yes) immediately. I asked her what was wrong. Her prior flight to New York cancelled and the one we were supposed to be boarding did not looked good either. She was very nervous because it was her first time flying and she just wanted to get to New York. As I started talking to her, she told me her story…

.she lived in Central America. She knew of an aunt that lives in New York. She heard of all the great stories of living in America and how well her aunt was doing in the United States. She knew that if she wanted a better life for herself, she needed to leave her country, family and friends and come to the United States. She left everything behind and how she got to the USA is a story on itself. With the little money she had, she paid some people and was hidden in a compartment under a truck. Yes, she was in a case, that is on the belly of a truck, the closest part to the road. It does seem that it is one of the most common ways to be smuggled into different countries as it is hardly found by the police. However, it is the most dangerous where it seems that quite a few people die trying. She finally got to Mexico. To cross to America, they got on a raft, went on foot in the middle of the night and worked their way to Texas where the immigration police finally caught up with her. 

She was taken to a shelter were teenagers that illegally enter the USA are taken to. While talking to the UM, one of the volunteers from the shelter came in. She explained to myself and my crew that, because they are teenagers, the shelter volunteers try to find a family member and/or sponsor to take care of them while their immigration status is taken care of. If they are not able to find a family member or sponsor, they are deported back to their country. However, the volunteers were able to find her aunt in New York who immediately accepted to be her sponsor and the UM was on her way to be reunited with her. The whole crew was talking to her. Some of the female flight attendants started to talk to her about safety, security, leaving in New York as a woman, etc. They were doing such a great job talking with her as well as encouraging her to be her best. As I was the only male crew member, I decided to remove myself from the conversation as I wanted them to have some privacy and be able to talk in more detail. 

Meanwhile, the volunteer told us that there was another sixteen year old teenager on the same flight. His mother left him when he was four years old with family members so she could come to the USA and make a better life for them. For twelve years she worked on her legal status, took many odd jobs and saved enough money finally, so she was able to send for her son to be brought into the United States. Some of us were getting teary eyed and it was too overwhelming to take. 

I turned to one my flying partners and said to her: “with all the problems that this country has, there are people that are willing to give up their family and even their lives trying to make it here rather than continue to live in the situation they are in.” We need to appreciate what we have. It can always be better, but compared to others, we have it pretty darn good. 

I wanted to spend more time with the UM’s, however the flight cancelled and the volunteer took them to the UM office, but  not before some crew members pulled out their wallets and gave them some money to have for the rest of their trip. I went to my hotel and decided to take a moment to say a prayer for all that I have. I went to bed feeling grateful, thankful and appreciative for my life, health, job, family, parents, partner, dog, home… just everything. I fell asleep with a smile on my face.

Today I got to the airport and boarded the airplane and the agent told the crew we would have some UM’s on the flight. To my surprise, it was the same UM’s from the night before. The entire crew was so happy to see them! We were also happy that we would finally get them reunited with their loved ones. We looked after them for the whole flight. Some flight attendants visited with them and made their flight most enjoyable. 

We finally landed in New York. I took them off the plane and handed them off to the customer service agent. As we were walking to baggage claim, we saw a woman in a group, holding balloons and a teddy bear. I asked them if they were waiting for the teenagers off the flight and they said yes immediately. The mother was holding the teddy bear and she was just too excited. This was a reunion twelve years in the making. I assured her that he was fine and right behind us with the escort. I wanted to stay but I had to leave. I just get too emotional thinking about what that reunion was like.

 This is not an immigration issue…. well, its kind of. But the fact is that there are people from many races, genders and age willing to die trying to come to the United States to be who they want to be. This weekend lets remember that we need to be grateful for what we have. And thank you for those in the Armed Forces that have done the ultimate sacrifice for us to live in a country that allows us to be free, who we are and who we want to be. 

And I’m especially grateful for a job that has allowed me to meet great people from all walks of life, that has allowed me to live in different parts of the world, that has introduced me to many cultures, has given me many stories to tell and has given me a great quality of life.

Happy Memorial Day to all, let’s remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom! Who would you like to honor today? Let us know in comments or join our conversation on facebook, twitter and pinterest!

I loved my first crash pad. I lived there with my closest friends from training. We had a one bedroom suite with three beds out in the living room and four beds in the bedroom. It was in a very shady motel across the street from a strip joint. They had a wing for “crew” and a wing that they rented out by the hour…. Yeah, it was that kind of place. Funny that I now look back at that time fondly, but I do. The hotel provided shuttle service to almost anywhere we wanted to go, so we were able to get dropped off and take the train into New York City. We had some great times there.

In my next crash pad as a commuter I had a roommate that was dating someone who happened to be married… Married and famous! She met him on a flight while he sat in first class and his wife was in coach. (talk about a sign there’s a problem!)  The phone calls used to come in the middle of the night and keep us all up. This is the etiquette I was speaking of earlier that needs to be established. He ended up divorced and my roommate did marry him. I say if you meet a celebrity on a flight, more power to you but, I’d make sure he or she is single. I’m a firm believer that karma, as they say, is a bitch!

Some things that make me look back and laugh are the calls in the middle of the night from scheduling. We didn’t have cell phones when I was on reserve so the phone in the room would ring and wake everyone up. Of course we’d all be hoping it wasn’t for us. There were many times you’d here profanity or someone just break down and cry. There was a male scheduler who used to refer to everyone as sweetheart. One night one of my roommates had had enough and when he called her sweetheart she said, “Hey! The only time anyone should be calling me sweetheart at 3am is if I am getting laid!”  Luckily the scheduler had a sense of humor.

One of the biggest questions you’ll have to ask yourself when you find out your new domicile is, “where am I going to live?” Flight Attendants use crash pads for many reasons. One of the most common reasons is they are not based where they actually reside (aka: commuters). And, as a reserve flight attendant, unless you are lucky enough to find yourself based in the city you are currently residing in, there’s a good chance you will need to live in a crash pad. Money is tight when you first become a flight attendant and a crash pad is a way to live inexpensively.  It’s close to the airport and usually offers around the clock transportation to and from the airport.

Crash pad living is a hotel room or small apartment shared with other flight attendants and/or pilots. There are usually two types of crash pads:

Line holders/commuters: Line holders (those flight attendants and pilots that hold a schedule) will try to share a crash pad with other line holders because they have set schedules and are there much less often than a reserve flight attendant.

Reserve: This is probably where you will find yourself, at least for the first couple of years of flying. Although it can be crowded at times, because you’re with other reserve flight attendants, it can also be comforting.  You’re all going through the same experience and you’ll appreciate having others to hang around with during the slow times of year when you’re on call, sitting by the phone more than you are flying.

There’s not much you can do to prepare for a crash pad ahead of time. It may seem stressful to not have your plans set before heading off to training, but you most likely won’t know where you are going to be based until the end of training. Silver lining? …Because your classmates will all be in the same boat, you’ll be able to make plans with your new friends and figure it all out together.

Where can you find information on crash pads?

Bulletin boards in the flight attendant crew room or training center.

Facebook: Ask your instructors if they know of any Facebook groups for crash pads at your new airline. Facebook has become a great resource for flight attendants.
Those flight attendants you meet on your training flights can offer a wealth of information too. Be sure to network.

What should you look for in a crash pad?

Affordability  If you and your classmates decide to start your own crash pad, make sure there are enough of you so the price is right. Certain hotels offer themselves out to crash pad living and they will rent to you and your classmates a room equipped with enough beds. The rate is set by the hotel and then divided amongst however many people will be sharing. They will usually set a limit to how many can share a room.

Hot bed vs your own bed   Although it can be cheaper to not have an assigned bed starting out, remember, on reserve you could end up spending many nights at your crash pad; you’ll want to make sure you have your own bed and a little space to call your own. A hot bed is when you take whatever bed is available when you show up, much better suited for line holders who commute.

Transportation  You’ll want to make sure there is a shuttle service to and from the airport 24 hours a day. As a “reserve”, scheduling can assign you to trips anytime of the day and get you back to your base at all hours of the night. It’s also a good idea to make sure the shuttle runs often enough that you’re not waiting for an hour every time you get home.

Co-ed vs gender specific  You’ll find both co-ed crash pads and female or male only crash pads. You’ll have to ask yourself what you are most comfortable with. Crash pad living is a pretty intimate setting and there is usually only one bathroom. I chose to be in an all female crash pad because sometimes we would have to share the bathroom when time was of the essence.  Figure out what’s important to you…only you know what your comfort level is.

Distance to the airport  Most crash pads are close to the airport, but the closest isn’t necessarily the best choice since you also want to make sure there are things for you to do close by. Maybe working out is important to you. Some crash pads that are hotels will have a workout room. I also liked having convenience stores and restaurants within walking distance to me. Find out if your crash pad offers shuttle service to places other than the airport.

What can I bring and keep at my crash pad?  Understandably you’ll want to make your new place feel like home, but keeping in mind the space limitations, you’ll want to limit the amount of personal items you keep at your crash pad.  If you get a crash pad with other reserves, you should have a small corner to call your own where you can keep a couple pictures on a night stand and maybe a drawer full of your own things. If you’re lucky, you’ll have a little extra space to hang items other than your uniform in a closet…but this isn’t always the case.

A very important thing to remember is that even though you are going to feel extremely close to your roommates and you want to trust everyone, you’ll still want to protect your valuables. The only way to do that is to not leave any in your crash pad. There are always thieves unfortunately as well as people who just truly forget something is not theirs because property has become commingled.

Are you headed for a flight attendant interview or training? This is an expert from my new book, The Flying Pinto’s Flight Attendant Survival Guide . I wrote this book just for you! It’s everything I wish I had known when I started my career as a flight attendant. It picks up where training leaves off! Available on Amazon, iBooks and Nook. I would love to know what you think of my book! Please let me know in comments, facebook or twitter! And, of course you can always ask me any questions you have about being a flight attendant!

Guest post by Debbie Powell

The three self-entitled princesses sat squished together in their seats, looking down their long noses at anyone who tried to interrupt their inflight movie.  They barely acknowledged the flight attendants in the aisle, giving only an occasional sidewards glance if we tried to get their attention to offer a drink or a meal.

The “princesses” have been my challenge tonight.  Drink orders were impossible with these three, and when I moved past them, they yanked an earphone out and barked.

My “chicken or beef” offering was a chore that left other passengers, ready with earphones out, frustrated and hungry after these three finally decided their meals.

I’m once again waiting on the princesses in 18 J,K and L.  I tried to pull the beverage cart past so that Julie, on the other side, would have to take care of them.  But Julie was on to me and snapped the break in place faster than I could keep it rolling.  Julie winked at me.

“Ladies,” I say, “What can I get you to drink?”  Silence.  “Anything more to drink?”  I flutter my hands in front of a video screen.  Princess 18J’s eyes blinked; I saw it.  Still nothing.  Ok, I think, they aren’t interested in my liquid gifts.   There are other passengers that will be impressed by my can opening skills.  I move on to row 19…

A flurry of activity erupted out of seats 18 J, K and L.  Earphones have been yanked out, videos have been frantically paused, eyes are darting between each other and to me.  But I’m the one feeling the pain.

“You skipped us!”
“A drink?!?”
“We are right…here!”

My head spins….

“Ladies, I was right here offering you a drink…”  I move past my obvious irritation and ask, “What would you like?”

“You choose.”  All princesses are once again looking straight ahead, earphones back in, videos whirring…

I choose?  What?  I CHOOSE?!?  My head is blending my own quick-fire mixology recipes…
A tomato juice and coffee mixture…  Coke, orange juice and a dash of leftover chicken…  I could have a lot of fun with this.  Well, I have chosen.  I “choose” to move to row 19.

A flurry of activity again erupts from 18 J, K and L.

I wink at Julie.

Want to hear more from Debbie? Check out her site, www.gingerbeadboutique.com for lots more stories, her lovely lanyards and more!

Whether being a flight attendant is still in the dream phase or you’ve just started your journey my survival guide will answer all your questions about your flight attendant career. Everything from crash pads to love relationships to hotels and layovers and more! Available on iBooks, Nook, Vook and Amazon.

“High stress, low pay and a shrinking job market all contribute to flight attendant’s inclusion among the worst jobs of 2013. The BLS projects virtually no change in job prospects, as airlines continue to consolidate and reduce staff.”

High stress: I can agree that there is stress involved with being a flight attendant or any other customer service job for that matter. The flight attendant lifestyle is not for everyone. There can be long hours, spent away from home and loved ones missed. I think most find out whether it’s the job for them or not within the first year. This is one of the main reasons I wrote my book, The Flying Pinto’s Flight Attendant Survival Guide. It’s a guide to help new hire flight attendants navigate through their first few years in the sky or those who are interested in knowing more about becoming a flight attendant.

Low Pay: This is a touchy subject for me. I am tired of everyone thinking that every flight attendant is at poverty level, which is one of the reasons I wrote, “Seven Surprising Reasons to be a Flight Attendant“. Yes, the first few years are tight, but if you do your research and choose your airline carefully being a flight attendant can be a pretty great gig financially. Am I rich? Yes, in terms of freedom and lifestyle. How many people can build their own schedule and work as little or as much as they want or need to? I still have a full time job, yet I am home for every school activity or family event I need to be home for. How’s my actual pay check? As good as, the higher end of a nurse’s salary. Not impressed? How about if I tell you that I  accomplish that in eight to twelve days of flying a month. And, that doesn’t factor in that I usually don’t check in until the evening of my first trip. I have many flight attendant friends that make six figures a year. Yes, they fly a lot, but who doesn’t work a lot to make that kind of money? The median income ($37,000) of a flight attendant is always skewed because most US airlines let their flight attendants drop all their trips and fly next to nothing every month or fly as much as they like. Another great advantage when life happens and you’re caring for aging parents, raising small children or any number of things that most people don’t have the luxury of taking a few months or a year off. The pay generally gets better after your fifth year of flying with yearly raises until your twelfth to fifteenth year depending on what airline you are with. I’m topped out and still have over twenty years of flying left before I retire.

Shrinking job market: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics: “Employment of flight attendants is projected to experience little or no change from 2010 to 2020. Job prospects should be best for applicants with a college degree and experience in customer service.”

All major US airlines have been actively hiring the past couple of years, so I am not sure where they got their information from.

I didn’t even mention the great layovers in Maui and Paris or the views from my office window! Want to know more about being a flight attendant? Check out my new book available on iBooks, amazon, Nook and Vook! It was a true labor of love as I love being a flight attendant and want to pass on what I know to those interested in pursuing an airline career!  I could be wrong, but I imagine it’s more fun than being an actuary, the number one career on Careercast.coms list.

I wrote a book! Ever wonder what life is like after you are hired as a flight attendant? Everyone thinks getting hired is the hard part and it is, but let me tell you that first year on line as a stew can be one of the most challenging years of your life! Think about it, you’ve just agreed to leave the life you’ve know to live out of a suitcase, at the mercy of crew scheduling.

Whether you are newly hired or on the track to becoming a flight attendant my flight attendant survival guide will help you navigate through your new adventures. I offer advice from finding your new crash pad to love relationships to how to pack for your trips and everything in between. I’ve even thrown in a few personal stories of my own and Kelly Kincaid (miss jetlagged) did the awesome illustrations. This book is a must have if you’re just starting your flight attendant career or just starting to think of a career in the skies!

Want a copy? I would LOVE to give YOU my readers the chance to win one! I have five promo codes to give out, all you have to do it “like” me on facebook or follow me on twitter and leave a comment here why you’d like a copy, for your chance to win! I’ll pick five winners and announce it on Monday 4/29. Need it now? You can find, The Flying Pinto’s Flight Attendant Survival Guide on Amazon, iBooks, Nook and Vook!

And, oh! If you are waiting for the results of last weeks shoe give away, the winner of a brand new pair of Chromatic Gallerie shoes is, Ruth Green! Ruth please message me via facebook or email me for instructions on how to claim your prize!

Happy Flying!

Queen’s Day (April 30)– Catch the most important and colorful Dutch holiday celebrating the     Queen’s birthday. Expect more spectacular Royal and multi-cultural performances this year as the country bids farewell to the retiring Queen Beatrix, who will relinquish her crown on the same day. Be part of the “orange craze” of people dressed in the Royal color to cheer for Her Majesty as she delivers her speech on the Royal Palace balcony. Take advantage of this day to book apartments in Amsterdam when the city is tax-free and all trades are permitted. Better yet, get the best deals in the street market where the locals bargain their old goods and companies offer great promos.

King’s Day (April 30) – When Prince Willem-Alexander and Princess Maxima assume their throne,     the Kingdom of the Netherlands will once again have a king for the first time since 1890. For this, the Royal Dutch Party organized the King’s Day Festival side by side with the last Queen’s Day. Greet the new King and Queen at the Royal Boat Parade while listening to     live Royal orchestra. After partying hard with the locals in the streets, save your energy for more cultural shows at the King’s Dance, which will be held in different museums.

Bredeweg Festival (April 29) –     The night before Queen’s Day, get a sample of free street     performances for all ages, from circuses to rockbands and gay    parties to kickstart the Royal day.

Flower Parade (April 18 – May     20)– Visit the world-famous rainbow fields of tulips when they are in full bloom at the Keukonhof park. There is also a month-long parade of lilies, orchids, daffodils, and other native plants at the Keukonhof boulevard.

Day of Architecture (April 20 – Last week of June) – Every year, the Royal Institute of Dutch     Architects awards the best-designed buildings in the city at the     Architect’s Ball. Get a chance to meet and chat with award-winning architects as they open their offices to the public to explain what they do and why certain buildings are special.

National Windmill Day (May 11)– Learn how this national symbol operates and why it is important in shaping European history. Enter and climb different kinds of windmills as local volunteers explain the history and inricacies of these 17th and 18th century treasures.

Liberation Festival (May 4-5) –     On May 5, 1945, the Germans surrendered to the Canadian troops in the Netherlands before the end of World War II. Today, the military heroes are remembered through the annual Liberation Torch Relay     participated by over 200 municipalities. The Dutch sure remember their liberation with the non-stop free concerts and parties after     the ceremonies.

The Van Gogh Museum’s Grand Exhibit (May 1 – January 2014)– After almost a year of     renovation, the city’s most-visited museum reopens with its grand 40th Anniversay Exhibit entitled “Van Gogh at Work”. Get to know over 200 works by the legendary artist and trace how he     developed his techniques along with other contemporaries. There are also special tours, lessons, and workshops for kids.

If you think April to May is busy enough, wait until the much-awaited Holland Festival and Pride Parade, among others, start in June. Expect a lot of tourists and plan your trip early with amsterdamapartments.com to get the best accommodation deals.

Questions? Join the conversation on facebook and twitter!

Happy Flying!

Before we get to this weeks give away, lets announce the winner of Brian Easley’s book, Straight Guy in the Queer Skies! Congratulations to Tawni Leah! Please message or email me Tawni and I’ll put you in touch with Brian.

This weeks contest will be very popular with the ladies in our audience! Shoes, shoes, shoes! Need I say more? Check out Chromatic Gallerie. They offer all colors, all heel heights, materials and widths! Head over and “like” them on facebook (here) AND sign up for their newsletter (here) that will inform you of their sales, special events and more. And that’s it! You’re automatically entered. I’ll be announcing our winner next Monday. Can’t wait to own a pair? Chromatic Gallerie is offering our readers a 10% discount using the code: theflyingpinto10.

Lots going on this week as I’m expecting the release of MY new ebook, The Flight Attendant Survival Guide! It’s being set up for distribution as we speak. Follow us on facebook and twitter for updates and of course shout out if you have any questions.

Happy Flying!

Questions? Comment below or Join us on facebook, twitter, google+ and pinterest! We love to hear from you!

This weeks contest is with Casauri.com. Perfect for travelers, they offer a wide variety of bags including the best iPad case in the world! Which happens to be what we’re giving away this week! You know the drill! Head over to Casauri.com’s facebook page and hit the like button! Need to have it now? Casauri.com is offering you 20% off all their products with my coupon code: FP20! Good Luck!

Traveling? Got questions? Ask in the comment section below or join our conversation on facebook, twitter and pinterest!

“My mommy will have cranberry juice.  And, my sister will have milk.  She’s still little.”  The little girl giggles.  A seven hour friendship begins between me and my new bestie, 5 year old Brenna.  Animatedly, Brenna tells me she doesn’t like green beans, but her mommy wants her to eat them anyway.  The 757 blows through the clouds as Brenna entertains me.

Brenna’s mommy isn’t feeling well, so I’m helping this darling girl with the bulky bathroom door. She has finished in the bathroom, and as I’m opening the door for her I ask Brenna if she has washed her hands.  She squeals, “No!” and we both laugh.  I tell her how important it is to wash our hands.  “This plane is soooo dirty!”  She erupts in giggles again.  Brenna washes her hands while I hold the faucet lever down for her.  What a little sweetie pie.

Upon landing, the medics come onboard and help Brenna’s mom off the plane.  I’m holding Brenna, keeping her occupied, while her mom is being helped.  Through it all, Brenna is still talking!  Talking about the plane, her sister, what she thought of our pretzels and how she can’t wait to see her daddy.

Our captain is standing near so I say to Brenna, “Brenna?  Tell Mr. Pilot what we do in the bathroom.”

“We poop!” she squeals.

Today’s guest post is from a friend and colleague, Debbie Ward. In addition to finding humor in the skies, Debbie enjoys making beautiful jewelry lanyards for professional women. You can see Debbie’s work featured in this weeks give away! Be sure to check that out “here.” and like her facebook page to be entered. You can also visit here web site, Gingerbeadboutique.com to purchase a lanyard and read more from her blog. Our readers enjoy a 15% discount with the code: theflyingpinto15

Happy Flying!

Due to the high popularity of Phuket it is a good idea to book your accommodation early, especially if you are planning to visit in the high season. People who book accommodation in advance may also be able to take advantage of special deals and discounts. It is also worth considering how you will get around Phuket. There is no real public transportation service, and the private and shared taxis that roam the main streets can be rather costly. However, car hire is provided by a number of local and international companies, and this is an affordable way of exploring Phuket in comfort.

Patong’s bustling nightlife is legendary and this is certainly a good place to let off a little steam especially after the chaos and confusion of Bangkok and the mad scramble to secure cheap flights Phuket is a veritable sea of calm. There are numerous bars and clubs to be found here, many of which line the beach. However, the neon lights and crowds of Patong can be a little overwhelming for some visitors, who may prefer to turn their attentions to other areas of the island. Patong is also home to a number of other interesting attractions such as vibrant cabaret shows and weird and wonderful museums, while the restaurants here cover all types of cuisines and styles, making this a great place to indulge in a meal before heading out for a night on the town.

When it comes to attractions, visitors to Phuket are really spoilt for choice. In addition to spending time on the sunny sandy beaches, visitors can discover the marine life by taking scuba diving and snorkelling trips. The island also features its own lake complete with a cable for wakeboarding, while people who feel the need for speed should head to the nearby go karting track.

The northern part of Phuket is particularly picturesque and peaceful, and this is a good place to visit to in order to retreat from the hustle and bustle of Patong. Phuket Town can be found in the heart of the island, and this is where many of the island’s residents live. There is also plenty of accommodation to be found here, and Phuket Town is popular with families as it tends to be much quieter than many parts of the island.

This week we are giving away a beautiful lanyard of your choice from Gingerbead Boutique. Not only are they gorgeous, but they’re special because Debbie is a fellow flight attendant. Like many good businesses, Gingerbead Boutique was born from a need:

“Years ago, I wanted a dressy lanyard to wear with my uniform.  After not finding one that I liked, I decided to make it myself.  Since that time, friends and co-workers have asked me to make theirs as well. A close friend recently suggested that I open my own online jewelry store, stocking it with my pretty ID badge lanyards.” -Debbie

If you’d like one of Debbie’s lanyards or a piece of jewelry check out her site and like her facebook page, “here.”  She’ll choose a random winner from her new likes and you’ll have until Friday, 3/29/13 to enter. This is an exclusive contest for my audience so your chances of winning are pretty great! If you just have to have one now, Debbie offers my readers 15% off with the code: theflyingpinto15.

Check back with us next Monday for the winner and a new give away! Got questions about air travel or becoming a flight attendant? Ask away! Post in comments or join me on facebook and twitter.

Here’s a scenario… You’re the passenger; I’m your flight attendant. After hearing the above statement, you may have gotten a little defensive. It’s the way our relationship has been set up and I think it’s a set up for failure. Nobody likes to be told what to do, especially without knowing why.

How do you feel about flight attendants, the airlines and their rules?  Is your guard up as soon as you board?  Have we flight attendants been friendly, or do you see us as big egos on power trips?  It might not be well known but, flight attendants love people.  If you could be a fly on the wall in the interview you’d hear them say, “I love people – I love to travel!”  Everyone knows flight attendants tell you how to stow luggage, turn off electronics, fasten seat belts, bring seat backs forward and put tray tables away. But “Why,” you ask?

The FAA (federal aviation administration) governs the entire airline industry. The multitude of rules are put in place and flight attendants must adhere to all of them. Flight attendants are the informers. The FAA does random checks rides on U.S. commercial flights. If flight attendants fail to inform any passengers of these Federal Aviation Regulations (or FARs) then the flight attendants can be fined thousands of dollars. The airline is also fined so guess who gets fined and disciplined? Let’s use the example of when you get up to go to the lav and the seat belt sign is on. Your flight attendant informs you, “sir, the seat belt sign is illuminated.” You say, “it’s an emergency.” She says, “the seat belt sign is illuminated,” sounding like a broken record. You now stare at each other like there’s a language barrier; essentially there is. If the flight attendant tells you, “ok, just be careful,” she has just given you permission to get out of your seat as long as you are “careful”.  This opens the airline up for a law suit should you get hurt because of turbulence.  What should you do if it is an emergency?  I’m still not going to give you permission but, once you’re informed you are free to make up your own mind and it’s up to you. What about all the other rules? Here’s a quick break down of the reasons behind those airline rules we love to hate:

Properly stow your luggage: All bags must be properly stowed prior to push back. It’s probably obvious why the bags in the overheads must fit properly…so the bins can close. Your smaller carry on needs to fit under the seat in front of you because the aisle must be free and clear in the case of airplane evacuation. Sound silly?  Well, let me ask you this.  Did you know that the FAA conducts scheduled drills yearly with EVERY U.S. commercial airline? Reason being, each aircraft type must be able to evacuate within a specific amount of time, this is how the FAA determines how many flight attendants are needed to make up a “minimum crew,” the amount of flight attendants required for each flight. Flight attendants can successfully evacuate a full wide body aircraft in seconds. Having bags properly stowed saves more time than most people realize.

Seat backs and tray tables forward: I once saw a skit where a comedian leans back as if sitting in an airline seat and says, “dead;” leans upright and says, “alive.” Back and forth, back and forth… “dead, alive, dead, alive…” Very funny, but for the same reason we need luggage stowed, we need your seat and tray table locked and upright. Your seat leaning back will slow down the passengers behind you; your tray table being down will slow you and other passengers from evacuating quickly.

Turn off anything with a power switch or battery:  Ahhhhh, the electronic debate. The best answer I have about why electronics have to be powered off below 10,000 feet is this: technology changes so fast that there is no way for the FAA to keep up and continuously test all devices. Yes, I am sure that many flights take off and land with electronics on – passengers forget to turn them off or don’t believe in this rule.  I will say this though: personally, I’d rather be safe than sorry.  Without this blanket restriction, there is a strong possibility that hundreds of electronics could be on at the same time during take off or descent.  Without knowing how new electronics can affect sensitive aviation equipment, there is always a risk factor. Here is an article from Boeing that gives examples of possible interference from electronics, “Interference from Electronic Devices.”  I will also state that although not required, it is a good idea not to have headphones on during the critical phases of flight (above and below 10,000 feet, taxi and take off). Most incidents and accidents occur during this time and it’s a good idea to have situational awareness at this time.

Place your oxygen mask on yourself first: This is not only a great analogy for life, it’s also an extremely important rule for flying. Time of useful consciousness is as little as thirty seconds at 35,000 feet. If you don’t put your mask on first, you won’t be conscious to put an oxygen mask on someone else. Most likely if the cabin loses pressure, it’s not a life or death situation. Put your mask on and then place one on your child.

I hope it helps you understand why some of these regulations are in place. You may not agree with them all and that’s fine; but I hope at least there’s a better understanding as to where flight attendants are coming from. It’s entirely black and white for us when it comes to an F.A.R. With some things, we may be able to think outside the box, but not when it comes to dealing with the F.A.A. because our jobs, wallets and lives are on the line.

Does it help to know the whys? Does anything else boggle your mind when it comes to the airlines? Let me know in comments and I’ll answer them in a future post. Also, if you love Jetlagged Comics as much as I do you can order t-shirts, travel mugs and more at the Jetlagged Comic Store.