Please Don't....

I see this happen more than I would like to and I am sure the passengers around me would agree. Please don't change the baby in the seat. There are changing tables in at least one lavatory on board any given aircraft. Would you change a child in the middle of an aisle in Wal-Mart? I don't think anyone will disagree with me. This is one of the most unpleasant things you can do to anyone traveling experience.

I had a young woman recently do this on board one of my flights. I saw it coming. I could just tell she was about to do it. I played it off as I came down the aisle. Hi, if you would like there are changing tables located in the lavatories in the rear of the aircraft. "Oh no she said, he is much to large for a changing table." Oh, I said as I continued down the aisle. I could not help but wonder what could make an adult think that it is ok to change your child in a seat on an airplane. Not only how unsanitary it is but also there are too many pedophiles and craziness every where around us. Can a person really be okay with exposing their child to the general public?

As I am standing in the galley having lunch she brings her child's dirty diaper and ask me to take it. Huh is my expression as I begin to wonder why would the dirty diaper not go in the trash can in the lavatory where one is suppose to change their child? I stood there in disbelief as I reached for a trash bag to give her. And before I could breath in, I opened the galley trash can for her to dispose of her child's dirty diaper. As the diaper left her hands, their was a grin on her face and I reciprocated with one. As soon as she left the galley a frown was on my face. Not just because of what had happened but because I now had to throw my half eaten lunch in the trash with the diaper. I could not eat for the remainder of the flight. Since then I only eat in the corner of the aircraft on my uncomfortable jump seat.

Can a person really be okay with exposing their child to the general public? I do not have children and I am unable to relate to a mother in this situation. Am I overreacting? Is this ok on board an aircraft?

What I would like for everyone to take away from this story is how we should be considerate of one another when traveling. It is a small space that we all must share. Think of others and lets all try to make every flight as comfortable as we can for everyone on board and not just ourselves. I would love to hear from everyone who reads this.

Smooches from the jumpseat,
Stewardess1908

No Thanks....

He locks eyes with her as she ask him if he would like a beverage. The biggest smile crossed his face and words never left his mouth. She repeats the question once more and he snaps out of his daze and replies with a coke please. She leans over to place the item on his tray table and he whispers in her ear, "May I have your number or better yet, can I give you mine?" She acts as though she never heard his request and continues down the aisle. Once service is complete and she passes by for trash, he tries his approach again. "Excuse me", he says with a folded napkin in his hands. She takes the napkin and places it in the trash bag. She did notice that he had wrote his number on the napkin but she does not bat an eye and continues down the aisle. He cringes as the napkin falls into the trash bag. Damn, he thinks to himself she is really tripping. Of course no man goes down without a fight and he was determined to get this young woman's' attention one way or another. He strikes once more while deplaning the aircraft. The gentleman approaches the flight attendant and before he can get the first word out of his mouth, she replied "No, thank you and I don't think your wife would approve. I saw her drop you off at curbside check in as I entered the airport this morning. Her ring is beautiful and your kids are gorgeous." He was shocked at her response and embarrassment was all over his face. The flight attendant looks into his eyes and says with a smile, " Your bags can be claimed at carousel 8 and have a great day!"

Keep it movin Mister!

Smooches from the jumpseat,

Stewardess1908

A Career Like No Other

I recently celebrated my five year anniversary as a Flight Attendant. I started to recall flight attendant training, the friends that have come and gone and the hard times. When I began to reflect on the hard times, I had to ask myself "Why am I still here?" Humm...Considering all the drawbacks of this job I must admit there are two things that keep me around year after year. The non-revenue flight benefits and the flexible work schedule.

Non-revenue travel is just what you need when the budget is tight or a last minute visit out of town is needed. Stand by travel is not the greatest but it is free or well reduced on may airlines.

My greatest asset here is the flexible schedule. I pick and chose when I want to work or not work. I schedule work around my life and not my life around work! No holidays or weekends for me. My seniority allows me this privilege. There are always opportunities to take a leave of absence during the fall months. If I want to be at home more, then I can build my schedule to do so. If I want to make a little more money, I can work more flights. It is all up to me!

In the beginning, I must admit it was trying but now I am happy and in love with my career as a Flight Attendant!

Smooches from the jumpseat,
Stewardess1908

The Morning After.....

It is the morning after a nice layover in Las Vegas. I had a 5 am. wake up but I had just touched the pillow a little after 1 am. Interesting is the word to describe how I feel. My eye lids are half open and my eyes are glazed over. I am moving slow. I feel like I look sleep. No make up on of course. Heels are in my flight bag and I am walking around in my service shoes. Why am I so tried?

I attended happy hour, went shopping and gambled until the wee hours of the morning here in Vegas. Happy hour was great and the drinks were good. Much needed after a long day of flying. The approach into Vegas was the worst I had ever experienced. The wind caused many aircrafts including us to miss our approach for landing. So we had to swing around and were successful on our second attempt.

I always find some good deals at the Premium Outlet Mall. There is almost every designer you can think of there. I was only able to pick up a few items in the amount of time I had to shop. Followed up shopping with a trip to the nearby casino. I have started to learn the game of blackjack and I did ok. I did not end up playing as much as I had planned which is good because I saved myself some money. I was so tried after this full day of hanging out in Vegas.

My service smile was a little limp and my patience was not as long at work the next day but I survived!

Smooches from the jumpseat,

Stewardess1908

CRACK BERRY…. A FLIGHT ATTENDANT NECCESSITY

I smile as I began this insert. This one little piece of equipment allows me to keep it together. There is no way I could travel around without it. Between checking emails, sending text messages, viewing important documents and having my calendar at my fingertips are just a few of the many things that this device allows me to do. I am in constant contact so I am not bombarded when I return home from a trip. I cannot depend on hotels to provided complimentary Internet service for my laptop. Many nights I am so tired when I reach that the hotel that logging into a computer will not happen. My crack berry allows me to accomplish so much in between flights. I have negotiated real estate contracts from my phone! The other agents have no idea since so many of us conduct business from our phones. So if you are like me and you need to stay in constant contact while traveling, you have got to have this device.

Smooches from the jumpseat,

Stewardess 1908

My Life’s Fallen Pieces…

Relationships suffer in this industry and it takes a strong person to hold it down in our lives. There are many divorces and broken homes around me. Every day I meet the pilot that pays spousal and child support and is just frustrated with life and where he is. I think this is many of us. We bring our flight bags as well as our personal life frustrations to work with us. The unhappiness and stress in some of our lives is just out of control. The flight attendant that has the attitude nine out of ten times is frustrated about something that has nothing to do with me and you. To be away from home and not be able to clear the air with a love one has to be painful. Yes, there are phone calls, email and text messaging but sometimes two people need to talk to one another face to face so more than words can be shared. The need of a hug and the removal of a tear can release something that a phone call can never do.

Our personal lives suffer. There is no way to sugar coat it. You have to try really hard and put in a lot of time. A phone call may not happen every day from a loved one. Our entire day is scheduled and when a flight is delayed or a change occurs it throws everything off balance. There are so many rules and regulations that cover our rest period and how long we can fly each day. We have no control when we enter the terminal.

We are paid to be away from home, family and friends. When we are home no money is being made. This industry does have its ups and downs and this is just one of them. I would personally love to be home Saturday for lunch with my girlfriends and a nice dinner date or even a night on the town. I would love to see my mother every Mother’s Day but that will not happen. It’s just a balancing act that can cause stress, strain and devastation to any relationship if we are not careful.

Now I pose the hard question to myself: “Would I trade this career?” No, I would not. I know I am not the best with placing phone calls on the road or remembering those special days. As long as I have my crack berry, I can try and pull it together. LOL! I am not upset and I do not regret my career choice. I can just try my best to communicate with my family and friends more often.

P.S. If you have ever wondered why so many pilots and flight attendants date and marry one another, this is why……

Smooches from the jumpseat,

Stewardess1908

What Day is it???: Week of June 21st - 28th

My life will be crazy this week. Whenever I go out on the road and have not prepared my house or personal life, it can get out of control.

Sunday: I flew back into Atlanta because I had an early report time for work Monday morning. I made it home about 8pm but had much needed real estate business to catch up on. Meet a good friend for a quick bite to discuss a client and bring a very important item to her. Well of course I left it at home on the sofa right where I almost left my purse. While en route to meet her, I realized I needed to get gas because I had no desire to leave my house any earlier than necessary to get to work and plus I would not have made it to meet her. I was on empty. You tend to forget how much gas is in your car when you leave it sitting for days. So it is always catching me off guard or I am too tired to stop anywhere and I just pray as I coast home from work. I completed real estate business about 11:30 p.m. Then I remembered I needed to complete bidding for my schedule next month. This is very important! I then had a desire to do something personal for me, so I downloaded a song for my ipod. I have to keep my ipod with fresh music to help keep me sane while away. I officially got into the bed at 1 a.m.

Monday: 4 a.m. wake up to get ready to began a two day trip with a great crew. I sent out a text to let her know that I was bringing my swimsuit just in case she was debating to pack one or not. I get to work around 6 a.m. and I fly around until 2:30 p.m. Check into the hotel and set up shop in my room. I get dressed and relax for a moment before heading out. I have a 5:30 a.m. limo pickup for our ride back to the airport.

Tuesday: 4:30 a.m. wake up to start flying at 6 a.m. I will fly until after 8 p.m. I will get home around 9:30 p.m. and unpack and repack my flight bag because I have another two day trip that starts around 7:30 a.m. Dinner may not happen on a night like this. According to my blackberry I have a conference call tonite for my service organization.

Wednesday: 5:50 a.m. wake up most likely. I will fly until 3 p.m. local time but to my body it will be 6 p.m. eastern.

Thursday: 5 a.m. wake up call most likely. I will fly until 2:30 p.m. Make it home around 4 p.m. I will need to wash clothes, clean house and shampoo hair.

Friday: I am FREE from duty! I have been out of town all week so I am forced to do all errands today. My wake up may not be as early as the other mornings this week but I can not lay around all day. Car has to be serviced, renew tag, check and read mail and pay bills.

Saturday: I report back to work around 5:30 p.m. and work until 2 a.m. I will be gone for another two days.

This career will make you become some what organized if you are not already. Your life becomes a big whirlwind at times. You can go days without speaking with friends or family. I can admit that I used less than 300 minutes of my cellphone plan last month. My rollover balance is in the thousands. I have had to look at the day of the week on my birth control just to know what day it is. LOL! It really does get crazy.

This week I will keep going and going and going. From the looks of things next week will not be much better.

Smooches from the jumpseat,

Stewardess1908