My View from 30,000 Feet

Things Flight Attendants say...

2012-01-15T03:55:00.004-05:00

Things Flight Attendants say...thanks, Heather!

Bucket list...check!

2012-01-04T21:50:00.000-05:00

It's been tough to find things to blog about. Work-wise, not much has been going on. Flying for Reserves is pretty slim these days. I flew one trip in August (Beijing), one trip in September (Spokane), and have had Standby every other time I was scheduled. And, there's only so many times I can post a picture of those recliners in the Crew Lounge!

Norm and I were able to get away on a cruise in December. I had one of the best days in my life when our ship stopped in St. Maarten. We grabbed a cab, and rode all the way to the other side of the island to Maho Beach. This beach is tres famous for plane-spotting...you may have seen the videos on YouTube-this is the airport where the planes are so close to people on the beach right before they land.

Finding a table in the shade at the Sunset Bar and Grill, we settled in. With a pretty rum drink, eating a pizza, enjoying the sea breeze, listening to Air Traffic Control on special speakers and a live reggae band, while watching planes land with the one I love the most, it was the just the best day ever!

The menu--and the pizza was great!

The surfboard with all the scheduled arrivals. This didn't include all the private jets.

We watched plane after plane land and take off. Unfortunately, the heavys (wide bodies) landed after we had to be back on the ship, but, I'll make a trek back there to see the big boys land one day.

It was nothing short of awesome!

Here are a couple of YouTube videos cool landings:

KLM

Air France

I know, I'm such a geek!

✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽ ✽

My View One Year Ago: He's Outta Here!

My View Two Years Ago: Celebrity Alert! (Well, sort of...)

My View Three Years Ago: Dancing Nina's All-Star Revue

My View Four Years Ago: Important Flight Attendant Announcement!

Veteran's Day 2011

2011-11-10T23:59:00.001-05:00

Veterans are really important in my life. SInce I've written this post, a couple more have joined the family: my newly-married daughter Casey's husband is Matt, who has been serving in the US Navy for a few years; and my baby child--my son, Chase who is in the process of testing to see where he'll land prior to raising his right hand to swear allegiance to this country in the US Navy.

So, this is a post I wrote 3 years ago about Veteran's Day and their families. I hope you'll read it, and think about the families, too!

And, to those Vets out there today, past and present, thank you for your service!

Catching up...

2011-10-22T19:16:00.000-04:00

So lame. Yep, That's me. New bebe in the family. A trip to Orlando so my Little Prince could go to Disney World while his Dad was off from work. (Thanks for the "jumpseat" to Orlando, Southwest Airlines!) Which means I was able to "Joey-sit" the Baby Prince. Yeah, yeah, his Staff has taken to calling him Camdyn. I'm calling him Joey. He just looks like a Joey to me.

Looks like a Joey to me!

How cute is he with his
"Pirates of the Caribbean" mouse ears?

Oh, and working. Nothing exciting. Well, except that the 757 on a long flight is just grueling for the passengers and the Flight Attendants--2 Flight Attendants for 158 passengers is...well, grueling! (The other two FAs have 24 in the First Class cabin. And usually a meal service, so they are busy, too.)

This morning, I had a lovely 4 hour sit for Airport Standby in Baltimore (we cover all three Washington, DC area airports) and I was lucky enough to set my alarm clock for 3:30 a.m. You know how much I like that, right???

Since I'm cranky and sleepy, I thought I'd offer this as a special post redux:

Look before you pee...

The Baby Prince has arrived!

2011-09-15T00:49:00.000-04:00

8 pounds, 12 ounces, 20 inches long, Camdyn arrived on Monday. Mother and son are doing just fine!

Some of these pictures were taken by Jason Williams at Elite Photography. They are published with his permission but I have to add the caveat that it is to illegal copy or distribute the photos without his permission. The offense is punishable with a long flight in a middle seat next to two Gabbing Grandmas with 5000 photos of their grandchildren. Each. And long, boring stories to go with each photo. While on an extended tarmac delay. With a broken lav.

Forwarned is forearmed, right?

The Little Prince taking his first look
at his new brother, Camdyn

The Baby Prince

Mommy and Camdyn

Daddy and Camdyn

Brendyn and Camdyn

"No more pictures! Can't a baby
get some sleep around here?"

Thanks for letting me brag a little!

2011-09-10T13:39:00.005-04:00

Long layover in Beijing, Part Two

2011-09-07T18:17:00.001-04:00

Leaving the Great Wall of China, Jack drove back toward the city on a different route. On the way to the Great Wall, I'd seen several fruit and vegetable stands along the roadside and wanted to stop at one. He suggested a Farmers Market--of course I agreed!

Along the way, Jack was telling me how the traffic was going to be really bad leaving Beijing that Saturday morning-he told me how many people leave the city for the country. Once out in the country, they spend the day with their families, picking whatever is growing on the farms: peaches, cherries, strawberries, etc. Others go fishing at a stream that has been stocked with fish by the farmer. Once the fish is caught, the farmer cleans and filets the fish, and the family grills it up right there on the banks of the stream and has a picnic!

We pulled up to building in a run-down village. Inside an undistinguishable, small warehouse was a fragrant bounty of fresh fruits,vegetables, and herbs. Jack and I walked in, and in that instant, it was apparent that not many blonde white women had been seen in there! But, just as quickly, heads went back down to tend to their tables of fresh harvest. I walked the long table in the middle, sort of searching for something different for a snack. Every one of the merchants I encountered was friendly, perhaps a bit curious, and certainly very welcoming!

I decided to have some edamame as a snack-it was freshly steamed and warm.
It cost about 50¢ for this huge handful.

Fresh edamame onboard, Jack and I headed back to Beijing. Next stop, Olympic Park, please!

The traffic back to the city center was easy-peasy, while going the other way was jam-packed! I was so glad I had gotten up early to go touring! It always pays off. (I have to keep reminding myself of that when I'm setting the alarm clock for 6 am!)

Once we arrived back in the city, I popped out of the car and climbed a pedestrian roadway bridge to take this of the Water Cube and Bird's Nest , two of the venues from the Beijing Olympics in 2008. (This picture about a block away from the Water Cube--that's how smoggy it was!)

Water Cube and Bird's Nest.

I asked Jack about Forbidden City and he told me it would take at least a couple of hours to see this massive complex. I decided to save that for another day, plus, I think I'd like to go with Norm there one day.

The Drum Tower, originally built during the reign of Kubla Khan, in the 13th century.

The Tiananmen Square exit of the Forbidden City

Tiananmen Square and the Mausoleum of Mao-a big tourist attraction.
People line up to see the former Chairman's embalmed body on display there. I did not.

After the full morning with the Great Wall and other sights of Beijing, I asked Jack to drop me off at the Pearl Market. Even bigger than the Silk Market, (but not as aggressive) with similar things for sale, there really wasn't much I wanted to buy. I'm not one to buy knock-off purses, clothes or jewelry, and there is a lot of that there. There's a lot of other, non-knock-off things that one may be interested in: pashminas, fabric goods, luggage, sunglasses, tailor-made clothing, electronics, etc. I haggled with a young lady and bought several folding silk hand fans (to have available for hot flashes on the jumpseat!) I don't like the negotiation process, but felt I had worked out a good deal. As I was leaving, the sales girl said I could have my pick of a free magnet to go with my fans! I was looking at the pretty magnets trying to decide which one to pick, when she said to go ahead and take two. That leads me to believe that if the merchant feels like she has to offer me two free items, I probably didn't negotiate as good a deal as I originally thought!

Pearl Market

Raaawwrrr!

I wandered out onto the rooftop at the Pearl Mar, where a Tai Chi group was just starting.
I didn't photograph them out of respect, but thought the garden on top of the Pearl Market was pretty.

I took a cab back to the hotel, and wandered across the street to see what was around. Our language speaker, David, had mentioned that there was "a bakery in the food court at the mall across the street." I set out to find it--but...the mall? Across the street?

This is what was across the street. A mall? Where?

Inside that tall building was this five-story mall! Who knew?

Movie theater. Now playing: The Smurfs, Transformers, and Harry Potter!

Coffee shop/bookstore. There was a Starbucks on the first floor.

Buy your piano at Crazy Piano!

Baby clothing store

Maybe the blue-eyed look sells more Celtics shirts?

I *loved* this little shop-it was on the first floor, on my way out.
It was all kitty figurines, tea cups, bowls, etc. Of course, I bought a couple of bowls!

The girl on the left helped me, and she was so sweet.
I asked if I could take her picture--she was very shy about it,
until her friend agreed to be in the photo. I love their smiles!

At the bakery, this one threw me for a loop--and now I wish I had tried it! Pork floss!
I found a great description of it on serious eats.

I stopped into the McDonald's just to check it out. It was packed!

After a pretty full day of touring and sightseeing, I headed back to the hotel for a nap. Later that night, I joined some of my crew in the club at the hotel--I haven't been to a dance club in centuries! It was a lot of fun, and I was the official purse-watcher, seat-saver for the group. And, the band, from Atlanta, Georgia was pretty good! It was fun!

Since the flight back to Washington, DC (IAD) was almost 14 hours long, I tried to sleep in as long as I could before leaving the hotel to go back to the airport around 3 pm. Before getting showered and ready to go to work, I took one last walk around the hotel. It was hot and sticky outside, as it had been since we arrived. but, the sticky feeling is different from just humidity--it feels like a layer of "ick" is on your skin--and I think it is the smog. It just feels dirty.

Here are some pictures from that short walk:

I don't know if this is a "real" 7-11 store--it did not have Slurpees or Big Gulps--but, it was a convenience store. I headed on in to look for...chips! (No visit to another county is complete without me looking for Lay's potato chips!)

Score!

Tomato-flavored chips...

Shrimp-flavored chips!

Would this be seaweed-flavored chips?

I enjoyed my Beijing (PEK) layover very much, and look forward to working that trip again. Having been to both Shanghai and Beijing, I think the Chinese are some of the friendliest people I've ever encountered. This is going to sound a little weird...but, the most favorite thing I did there was go to the Farmer's Market-I liked looking at the different herbs and spices and the wonderful welcoming feeling I had there. I loved having my driver all to myself, and doing exactly what I wanted to do--it was awesome! Next time, I think I will be better prepared for shopping at the Pearl, Silk and other markets, now that I know what is available.

Long layover in Beijing, Part One

2011-09-04T19:51:00.000-04:00

It's been a whirlwind couple of weeks! My sweet baby-girl, Casey, married her long-time love, Matt last week in a beautifully personalized ceremony overlooking the Lynnhaven River in Virginia Beach, VA. Then, a dear family friend, Jeanie-a neighbor of my Dad's in San Antonio, TX, passed away and I went there to visit with her husband for just a bit. And, we are still on BabyWatch 2011 as we await the arrival of The little Prince's younger brother, any day now.

So, my apologies for posting that lame Harlequin post--now deleted--it made me laugh when I read it, but was more suited to a forwarded e-mail, I think!

Just before Wedding Week, I was on Reserve for 5 days. I went to bed the night before knowing there was a strong chance I would get the Beijing (PEK) trip with its' 51 hour layover. It has a 10 am check-in and when The Voice called me at 4 in the morning, I was very happy to get this trip, having never been there before.

Of course, I couldn't go back to sleep!

We flew a re-configured 777 from Washington, DC (IAD) to PEK for the 14.5 hour flight. (That link of the 777, by the way, is one of the ones not re-configured with "lie-flat" seats on Business. We took one of the newer interiors to PEK.)

Briefing in the domicile was quick and easy--I was working Economy Aisle. The Purser was smart enough to call the Crew Desk and ask for an extra person, and they gave us the Standby Reserve Flight Attendant. We went over with 11 stews, 5 of us in the back. It was awesome--David was the Galley person (and Mandarin speaker) and he rocked that galley! We take a beverage cart out and ~~schlep~~ serve a drink; then a food cart out with the chicken or tofu dish; followed by another beverage cart; finally, meal pick-up and more beverages. Now, this all doesn't sound like much, but, there is a lot of choreography that goes with getting all this out, with the supplies we need, in a timely fashion for 197 people in "the Village"and David was a master at it.

Video monitors have the option of showing the flight map

The flight was uneventful and, we all know that is good. As we were getting close to the capital city, the Captain called and said we would be flying over the Great Wall of China, and it would be on aircraft left. So, I looked and looked. No Great Wall.

As we got closer, I realized I wasn't going to be able to see anything--this is what is on top of Beijing from 30,000 feet: smog. Seriously. That isn't haze or fog surrounding the clouds...it is smog. This was my first time ever being in the stuff. And, seriously: ewww!

Smog over PEK

Airport train--it's 86 º inside the train. But, it's a clean train...

My room was beautiful!
The bathroom had electronic blinds to raise and lower for privacy.

View from the room....ehhh!

We arrived at the hotel around 3:30 and I took a much needed shower. Bonnie was outside when I got downstairs, and we shared a cab to the Silk Market. Jewelry, pashminas, table runners, knock-off purses, clothing and golf clubs--it's all there at the Silk Market.

If you've ever been to the Straw Market in Nassau in the Bahamas, or on the beach in Jamaica, with the pushy vendors, you'll have an idea of what it is like in the Silk Market. Only worse. The aggressive solicitations as you walk down the alley of booths and past the stalls feels almost like an assault. "Hey, ladeeeeeee...you need a beautiful table runnerrrrr..." a young woman demands and quickly steps in front of me and stops--so I either bump into her, or turn on a dime and change direction. As soon as I avoid that vendor, the deafening demands of the next one are in my face. And, this continues aisle after aisle, floor after floor. Really, it was too much.

I made my way to the 5th floor, where it is mostly pearls and jewelry--and much quieter. I didn't buy anything at this market at all--and what a shame! I would have been happy to part with a few RMBs for some Chinese tchotchkes, but I couldn't stand the verbal blitzkrieg! (After just working for the last 16+ hours, maybe I was just too tired to deal with any of it.)

Gold clubs or maybe a pink golf bag?

The traffic in Beijing made Washington, DC's traffic look like a cakewalk. It was crowded, barely moved at times, pedestrians and bicycles and scooters and cars all trying to do the same thing at the same time. The city is very crowded, its' arteries severely clogged.

These are pictures taken from the cab on the way back to the hotel--just a small slice of the city:

Astro turf clock with silk flowers-looks prettier in the photo than it actually is.

I love the juxtaposition of this photo--Dolce and Gabbana in the background with the
man on the bicycle cart dragging on his cigarette with a lady in tow.

I like the way she is holding onto his shirt.

David made arrangements for me to hire "Jack" as an English speaking tour guide/driver. I had him for all of the next day, starting early, for 600 RMB, about $100. He would take me wherever I wanted to go.

For the next day's touring, I packed my little day bag with sneakers, in case my sandals started hurting my feet, water, and toilet paper from the hotel. I've been told that I'd want to bring toilet paper with me on my tour the next day--that it isn't readily available in the bathrooms there--and that I'd need to dispose of it in the container next to the toilet, not in the toilet, because of the "delicate" plumbing. I've decided that may have something to do with the picture of the lav I posted a couple of weeks ago.

Breakfast at the hotel was incredibly good and abundant. There were 4 buffets-one with American bacon and Eggs Benedict and such; one with Chinese stuff--I can identify the noodles and veggies (it was loaded with choices, and I thought I'd try a little of everything); then a cereal bar and a pastry bar. So much to choose from...I loaded up my plate and everything was tasty--I especially liked the dark berries (at about 7 o'clock on the plate). They were warm, savory, slightly tart and squishy...I have no idea what they were, but they were delicious!

Freshly fed, I met "Jack" in the hotel lobby at the appointed hour of 7 am. He asked me where I wanted to go, and I told him the Great Wall, Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and the Olympic Park.

For 20 RMB extra, we took the toll road out to "the country", as Jack called it. (The longer way took twice as long.) He explained that traffic would be fine for us, but if we left any later, it would be very crowded, as people fled the city for a relaxed weekend in the country.

No traffic for us!

We drove for about an hour...exited off the highway and through small villages on a two lane road. Jack pointed out a "donkey restaurant" and told me that donkey was tastier than beef. (Just in case you were wondering...)

And, then we were there. I couldn't see it, but the signage told me we were at the Great Wall of China.

Noooo, this is not the Great Wall...just the sign for it!

The ticket booth is to the left-it costs 110 RMB-about $17-to take the sky ride up, and the toboggan down.
So worth it!

The sky ride going up- I was the only one there.

Smog!

My first view of the wall.

Is this a cell phone tower on the Great Wall of China?

You are here.

With the exception of two ladies selling water when I got to the Wall,
I was the only one up there, as far as I could see.
That was so cool!

One of the water ladies offered to take my picture.

Others began to arrive.

Toboggan to come down!

This was such a fun way to get down!

As I was was leaving, all the other tourists were arriving.

That's all for now. Next post: fishing in the country, a farmer's market, shopping and potato chips!

Trashed!

2011-08-16T22:10:00.000-04:00

Just back from my first trip to Beijing, China (PEK). I'll post pictures of that, soon. In the meantime, here's a picture for you. It was taken in a middle lavatory on a 777, about halfway through the 14 hour flight. And, the trash can wasn't even full....

Do Flight Attendants hate their passengers?

2011-08-10T11:35:00.004-04:00

I usually stay out of this kind of fray, but an opinion posted last week by one of my favorite travel columnists, Christopher Elliott, really hit a nerve with me.

In his column, Mr. Elliott questioned whether or not Flight Attendants hate their passengers. Here's one of the examples he cited:

"Reader Nancy Hicks tells another story of crewmember callousness. She was flying with crutches after a recent foot operation, and notified United Airlines she’d need a wheelchair at the airport. Instead, she was greeted by a “surly” skycap who waved her into the terminal without trying to help.

“That’s where the wheelchair people all wait,” he yelled. “Everyone knows that.”

She eventually had to board the small regional jet by herself in crutches, in the pouring rain.

“Not a single person from the airline even attempted to help me or find another way to get me onto the plane,” she says. (She is, of course, referring to the flight attendants who she assumed would lend her a hand, but didn’t.)"

Trust me, there are plenty of examples of bad Flight Attendants out there--I know, I work with some of them. But, Mr. Elliott disappointed me with that example, one that doesn't even involve a Flight Attendant! Even at the point where the passenger was boarding the "small regional jet by herself in crutches, in the pouring rain" a Flight Attendant could not help! We can't leave the aircraft if passengers are onboard-we are required to maintain FAA minimums for staffing. And, exactly what is it she would have liked us to do? Carry her? Work the crutches for her? I'm not quite sure what she would have had us do for her. Why didn't the "surly Skycap" take her to the aircraft? Should the Flight Attendant have called for an aisle chair? (An aisle chair is one of those wheelchairs where the passenger is strapped in across the chest and legs and carried onto the plane-usually reserved for those with severe handicaps.) Where is the Flight Attendant's culpability in this example?

Helping a passenger with luggage? What do you want me to do? People come onboard and throw a small briefcase, coat or tote bag into the overhead compartment-instead of under the seat in front of them-or their suitcase in so that it takes up the most room (sideways versus wheels first) without consideration for the other people who will be boarding behind them. For years, I turned bags, moved them, re-situated them so we could get more bags onboard. All I ever got was dirty looks when I touched their bag, or asked that it be put it under the seat; and rotator cuff injuries. The shoulder issues I have aren't covered by my airlines' Workman's Comp insurance. So, what do I do about their bags? Not much anymore. I do hunt for a space for your bag, but, I won't carry them or put them in the overhead bin--an injury just isn't worth it to me. (Exceptions to that include when someone comes down in a wheelchair; a elderly person who needs help, or an unaccompanied minor.)

And, service? What service does a passenger want? I don't have a roast to carve or a Caesar salad to make table side anymore. Domestically, all I have to offer is a soda and Buy-Onboard (BOB) food. I usually say "Would you like something to drink?" as I place a serviette (napkin) on the tray table. Then, I pick out the soda can, and along with a cup of ice, place it on the table. Just exactly what else would you like me to do? I thought I was thinking of you when I gave you the whole can of soda. It would take way too long to pour soda in the cup for all 132 of my passengers. So, I think I am being of service to my passenger by getting to your row faster and giving you the whole soda. Based on Mr. Elliott's column, I guess I'm not...

In his subsequent column today, Mr. Elliott quotes one of his readers, Pat Vinroot:

"Some of the flight attendants I have flown with on US airlines are wider than the aisles and have to turn sideways to walk through them...”

Tell me what that has to do with anything, Reader Pat Vinroot? So, lets get skinny Flight Attendants because...why? Skinny people give better service? Wide Flight Attendants can't help you in an evacuation or serve your soda? I just don't get the correlation. (Heck, I wish all my passengers were slim, beautiful and dressed well--if you're taking orders, Reader Vinroot, you get off the aircraft and give me a plane full of George Clooneys, please!)

Vinroot continues:

"...In the past few years when I have gone to the back of the plane for something I have often found attendants playing games and just sitting there talking."

Exactly what would you like us to do after a beverage service and several trash pick-ups? We go through the cabin every 30 minutes or so and offer water, and on morning flights, coffee. So, tell me, please, what else can I do for you? Shall I just stand in the aisle in case anyone wants to chat? Should I be scrubbing the lavatory? Please, tell me what would you have me doing instead of being in the galley, where my jumpseat is?

This vocal minority's expectations versus reality are two very different things. They seemingly expect a five-course meal with white glove service, in a big ol' comfy recliner of a seat but aren't willing to pay for it. They expect young, thin stewardesses, and convict those of us who aren't. They expect sugar and sweetness, but refuse to say please or thank-you.

There are many Flight Attendants that need to get out of this business, but the Mr. Elliott's column paints us with a broad, unfair brush, handed to him by a minority, who appear to be blaming the wrong people.

A fake two-day and fun in Chicago

2011-07-31T17:54:00.001-04:00

It took a couple of days to recover sleep-wise from my last trip. Referred to as a "fake two-day", we departed early in the morning from Washington (IAD) to Las Vegas (LAS), arriving to the hotel around 11 a.m. We were there for about 11 hours--just enough time to give the casino a little money, sleep and then work the redeye/all-nighter back to IAD, arriving around 8 in the morning.

I actually like these "fake two-days"...they give you a lot of hours in a short amount of time, and the Crew Desk has to leave me alone when I get back. I'm naturally a night person, so staying up all night isn't a problem for me--never has been. But, man, when I got home, I was "out" within the hour. I slept hard until late afternoon. So, the next couple of days are spent getting back to "normal".
--------------------------------------

Tomorrow my 21 year-old son, Chase, my 8 year-old Little Prince, Brendyn, and I we are going to Chicago for a couple of days--on a mission! The LP loves Legos, and we are going to the Legoland Discovery Center. We also have plans to go to the Skydeck at Willis Tower, Navy Pier, and the Hershey Store.
-------------------------------------

Oops! Mean to post this last week!

We are back from Chicago and had a great time. We stayed in downtown and had too many things to choose from to fill our days. We were able to stick with our plan and visit the Willis Tower, Hershey Store, Navy Pier and Legoland...here are some pictures:

On the ledge at the Skydeck in Willis Tower.
103 stories above the city, with 360 º views.
We loved this attraction-especially the
elevator ride to the top!

This made Chase very happy! The street sign
says"Mike Ditka Way." It is one of the many
honorary streets in Chicago, this one
for the famous coach of "da Bears!"

Off to the Hershey store!

With an "Official Factory Worker" ID card,
my Little Prince set about making candy and
filling up his bucket. He is an outstanding employee!

Off to the Navy Pier for dinner and fireworks!

Spaghetti in Chicago: mmmmmm!

Crashed!

With our big agenda today, guess who
was awake early?

Out in the suburbs, Legoland!

This is about 4 feet tall, all made of Legos!

Downtown Chicago-in Legos!

We had a great trip to Chicago--it really is one of the friendliest cities in the world. When buying our subway tickets at a machine at ORD, one of the Chicago Transit Authority employees walked over to see if we needed help. I just can't imagine that happening in Washington (although I'm sure it does, occasionally.) Without exception, every single person we encountered in Chicago was so very friendly and smiling--it was Southern hospitality with a Midwest accent.

To me, the Legoland Discovery Center was cool, for a suburban birthday-party kind of place. To my young grandboy, whose world revolves around Legos, our visit was the Holy Grail. Wait until he finds out that Legoland is opening a theme park in Florida this Fall!

In the Loop...

2011-07-07T17:00:00.003-04:00

There are a lot of Open Trips on the computer. Open Trips are ones that are not fully staffed and a lineholding Flight Attendant can pick one up or it can be assigned by the Crew Desk to a Reserve. A Reserve Flight Attendant gets the luck of the draw which can be great or terrible. Guess what I've gotten the last three days?

This month I am a Call-In Reserve which means I know what I am going to do the next day at 7 pm the night before; instead of Ready Reserve where I wait for The Voice to call at least four hours prior to departure time.

Since I haven't flown any of July, I have the least amount of flight time accrued among my Reserve colleagues. That and other contractual rules meant I was to be assigned one of the first (meaning earliest time) positions. I was in this "time accrued" situation on Tuesday, Wednesday and today. Look where I've spent my last three mornings:

BWI Crew "Lounge"

IAD Crew Lounge

The last two days, I was assigned a 5:45 am Standby (ONSB) at Baltimore (BWI). Airport Standby is in case something goes wrong (i.e. a Flight Attendant gets sick while working, misconnects from another flight, etc.) We have to be ready to go anywhere from Dubai to Buenos Aires and Bozeman to Tampa. If you are needed, you go on a trip. If you aren't needed, you go home.

(To be fair, I "preference" BWI over Washington Dulles (IAD). They are equidistant from our house--and, BWI is easier for me. IAD is just a pain in the neck to get to, with all the construction around the Washington Beltway for the new Metro line.)

Last night, just after 7 pm, I looked at the computer and saw that I had Standby again for the third day in a row, this time at IAD, and at 5 am...and all I could do was just shake my head, and go to bed. Getting up at 2:45 the last three mornings has been ugly.

We have an expression used when a Reserve Flight Attendant gets assigned several International trips in a row due to the luck of the draw...it's called being in the "International Loop."

I guess this means I'm in the "Standby Loop!"

Update:

I got a trip last night--once again a 2:45 a.m. wake-up (5 a.m. sign-in, and 6 a.m. departure) with one leg to Chicago (ORD) and one leg to Houston (IAH). Tomorrow, another 2:45 a.m. wake-up with one leg to Denver (DEN) and one leg back to Washington (IAD).

Okay, so I'm out of the "Standby Loop" and am definitely in the "Oh-Dark-Thirty Loop!"

Catching up

2011-06-11T16:50:00.003-04:00

Where does two months go? Seriously? Mea culpa!

Union work
Recurrent
Transatlantic cruise
San Antonio
Wedding planning

I haven't been flying much...with the big ol' merger of my company and another airline, there are two different Flight Attendant unions. We're a "closed shop" so no matter where one stands on Unions, as a Flight Attendant, I'm required to pay dues. And, it is a cantankerous fight for millions of dollars in dues revenue. It is ugly. The volume of mail that each Flight Attendant has gotten over the last couple of months is staggering. Truly, that is not an exaggeration! We can measure it in several inches! (The two Unions have single-handedly funded the retirement program of US Postal Workers!)

I've been doing a little work on behalf of the one I think is best for a.) me and b.) my flying partners. We are currently in the midst of voting, and the election will be over in a couple of weeks. I think we will all be happier when the election is done.
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I went to Recurrent Training in April. Since the training is held in Chicago, the Company flew me in the night before, so I was ready to go at 8 a.m. the next morning. The hotel shuttle drops us off at the airport and this year, this greeted us when we got off the shuttle at O'Hare (ORD):

I just post 'em, folks! =)

My Recurrent was the first month of the new merger training and we were introduced to some of the other airlines' safety equipment (different versions of ours, some better.) The FAA requires that we prove ourselves on every aircraft we are qualified on yearly. There are mock-ups of each aircraft's doors that we train on--here are the Airbus and 777 doors.

Both Flight Attendant groups have had to re-learn commands. Commands get so ingrained in our heads that unlearning old ones and relearning new ones is tricky:

Brace! Brace! Brace!
Release seatbelts, get out, leave everything!
Come this way!
You! Help at the bottom, send people away!
Jump, jump! Form double lines.

Now, SHOUT them. LOUDER! LOUDER! With 20 people watching you. And, a stopwatch. Knowing that if you cannot say it, in the time allotted, while performing the exact movements the FAA and company require (assess conditions, open door, pull handle, protect yourself) exactly, you can, eventually, lose your job. No pressure, right?

It's not rocket science, of course, but, it can be challenging. Fortunately, we all passed and go on to fly for another year.
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Since my husband deployed to Germany last year, he earned a lot of comp time, along with his vacation days. And, he intends to use every single one of those days, and I am a casualty of that! =) It certainly helps that I am partner-flying (sharing half a month's schedule with another Flight Attendant.) In May, we took a 2-week Transatlantic cruise, from Galveston, Texas to Barcelona, Spain. It was fantastic--my favorite ports were Ponta Delgada in the Azores, and Malaga, Spain.

Ponta Delgada was simply beautiful--a cross of that special green that is Ireland, and the
lush-ruggedness of the mountains in Kauai.

We rented a car and drove around the island. The roadsides were covered in soon-to-be blooming hydrangeas, and azaleas just starting to peek out. I imagine being there two weeks later and being overwhelmed by the beauty of these blooming bushes....they were everywhere!

We drove up to Sete Cidades...which is a town and lake inside a massive volcano crater:

The two different colored lakes? Actually, only one lake...that is a bridge seemingly dividing them. The lakes reflect what surrounds them... and the green lake reflects the surrounding trees!

Of course, I have to takes chip pics! Ketchup flavored and "I have no idea" flavor. It translates from Portuguese and Spanish to Rural Prescription or Farmer's Prescription. I have no idea what that tastes like!

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Last week I non-revved to San Antonio (SAT). It was my sister Donna's birthday, and she wanted me to go with her to see Dad. My family isn't one to hang around too long to wear out a welcome: we blow into town, visit, and blow right on out. And, that's what we did in SAT. We flew in Monday evening, shopped on Tuesday, and left Wednesday morning. In between there, I had lovely dinners at the Thai Cafe (my 2nd fave restaurant in the world) and Sorrento's (my first favorite restaurant!) for some Eggplant Parmesan--to die for! We were able to spend a little time with Dad, Donna bought some Lucchese boots (she always does) and we had a good time visiting with Joe and Jeanie, Dad's friends who are precious to both of us!
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My beautiful daughter, Casey is marrying her love, Matt at the end of August. They are planning a beautiful sunset wedding overlooking the beach. In the last couple of weeks, I put together a website for the wedding and this week I'll be in Virginia Beach for a dress fitting. She has an exciting summer...she moved into their new apartment last week; Matt will be coming home from his Navy cruise next month; and, of course, the wedding!

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And, finally, my Little Prince Brendyn is going to be a big brother in September!

The Little Prince's Staff

And, presenting Camdyn, my newest Little Prince. (No worries, I will overload the blogosphere with pictures of him, too!)

Travel tip

2011-03-31T15:01:00.001-04:00

Little travel tip from Budget Travel magazine:

"Slip a scrunchie or ponytail holder through the handles of your family’s suitcase and pull one end through the other. The resulting loop is handy for holding an extra sweater or a teddy bear (just to make sure it’s secure!) as you and your family make your way around the airport."

I tried it, and think I'll have to keep a ponytail holder within easy reach in my bags!

My View from Geneva, Switzerland

2011-03-21T15:49:00.004-04:00

My trip last week was a three day Geneva (GVA). I had never been before, so I was excited to go.

During briefing, I was "juniored" into the Business Galley position. I was working with two Flight Attendants that have been flying for 25-30 years--and knew this galley position like the back of their hands. Me, not so much. I fly in that galley position a couple times a year...so, I'm not that fast and I don't know many shortcuts. I mean, I can do it...just not with the finesse of someone with a lot of experience.

Since the flight was blocked for 7.57 hours, we didn't get a break...which made me being in the Business Galley a little better. On longer flights of 8 hours or more, no one takes a break until all the meals are served and cleaned up...so, on this flight, I didn't have to get in a big hurry to accommodate the breaks.

The women I worked with were pleasant and knew their stuff. They helped me keep ahead of myself, which was much appreciated. We knocked out the dinner service in the usual amount of time and everything went fairly smoothly...which is to say, I didn't suck.

I'll take it!

We arrived to our hotel in GVA around 9 a.m. and Julie, one of the other Flight Attendants, and I decided we'd meet at 2 pm for a bite to eat and to take a look around.

Our hotel sits in the touristy area, on Lake Geneva. We walked across the Mont Blanc bridge towards Molino's-a pizzeria recommended by the concierge, on Place Molard. The plaza was filled with tourists and locals at the cafes and shops and the pizza, like most I've eaten in Europe, was phenomenally good. (Or, were we just hungry?)

Cold and overcast in GVA, we didn't stay out very long. We finished up our walk and called it a night, while it was still daylight--I was tired.

For the return flight, the next day, the pressure was on: this was a flight that would have breaks, and being fast in the galley would be important. Theresa asked me if she could do the galley, and I don't think a millisecond elapsed before I blurted out, "Yes, please."

Theresa rocked the galley (and showed me a couple of cool shortcuts, that I'll use next time) while Liz and I worked the Aisle. It all went swimmingly, which is always good!

While yakking with Liz, I found out she has a blog, too! It's the weirdest thing, because so many of my colleagues don't know what a blog is, so I was happy to know she had one, too. Postcards from the Air Check it out--she's got a ton of travel info and suggestions over there, for "regular" people and crew, too.

Here are some pics from our walk in GVA:

Lake Geneva

The yellow boat is a water taxi.

The famous Jet d'Eau.

In Place Molard, this woman had a sign in French and English, giving away free hugs.
I asked her why, she said, "Because everyone needs a hug!"

Julie, getting her hug.

The train--drops you right in front of the store!

Clock made of flowers

Mont Blanc Bridge

And this is the view the next morning, after we left, of course! (I did a little Internet "borrowing"...)

Afternoon on Bourbon Street

2011-03-07T22:58:00.004-05:00

This past weekend, I got a great 3 day trip: a 19 hour layover in New Orleans and a 19 hour Vancouver layover. I had flown with both of the Flight Attendants before: Thu, who was the Purser, and Richard. Thu is a new Mom, and she relishes the downtime in a hotel-so she decided not to go with Richard and me downtown to the French Quarter--which, despite the rain, was hopping with pre-Mardi Gras celebrations.

We started at Jackson Square, then headed towards world-famous Bourbon Street. We spent the afternoon there, eventually finding a balcony to hang out on and enjoying the festivities!

Bagpiper-playing to...no one!

Jackson Square

St. Louis Cathedral

Walking through the French Quarter

Bourbon Street

Alice in Wonderland

Richard with Alice

Pretty girl throwing beads

Richard with Elvis. And Elvis.

"Elv-i"

This costume is "udder-ly" crazy!

Catwoman with Alice

Have a drink!

Walking his alligator...

Here's one way to get beads...

A Hand Grenade

Really? Was this necessary?

A juggling "angel" in a dress made of balloons.

Me and a new friend. Okay, not really.
I just jumped in his picture.

The next morning, we left early and flew a long day: New Orleans (MSY) to San Francisco (SFO), then onto Vancouver (YVR). After the fun of New Orleans, and the long next-day working, I was more than ready to hang the "Do Not Disturb" sign on the doorknob, and curl up in the hotel's plush bathrobe.

2011-03-04T09:31:00.003-05:00

Shhhhhhh.....Flight Attendants sleeping. Chicago lounge, deep in the bowels of O'Hare.

Weekend in Paris

2011-02-22T13:53:00.006-05:00

Just back from a quick weekend in Paris with my sister, Donna. We rented a lovely two-bedroom apartment in the 14th arrondissement just a 3 block walk from the Denfert-Rochereau Metro/RER stop. It was perfectly situated at the end of Rue Daguerre, which is open only to pedestrian traffic. Lined with a few cafes, a boulangerie, patisseries, and a fromagerie, this street is sort of a spontaneous supermarket, as well as a great location for our weekend.

We did a few of the hotspots: Eiffel Tower (twice!) Sacre Coeur, Place du Tertre, Musee d' Orsay, and Saint Michel. Here are some pics from the weekend:

Eiffel Tower

Donna holding up Tour Eiffel

Trocodero

Metro station

St. Michel

Musee d' Orsay

A former train station, the architectural detail of the

museum is simply stunning!

I love this detail!

Isn't this clock gorgeous?

I loved this ballroom in the museum,
especially the light fixtures.

Chandelier and swag from below--so pretty!

Shopping at Galleries Lafayette

The dome at Galleries Lafayette

Scenes from our weekend neighborhood.

Our neighborhood

This "bucket" holds sausages and vegetables-you
can get a "to go" meal.

Back to the Eiffel Tower

Sacre Coeur

Artist at work.

Montmartre

Notre Dame

More neighborhood pics

A weekend is never long enough in Paris!

I found the glamour!

2011-02-15T00:15:00.004-05:00

Usually, the very first part of a Flight Attendant's trip begins with a briefing. With my airline, all the Flight Attendants gather, either in the domicile or on the airplane, and the briefing includes bidding for your work position in seniority order, new policies in effect, and equipment on the aircraft that may not be working--a broken seatback, one of the ten lavatories is inoperative--you get the idea.

Remember last year when I gave you the tour of a Boeing 777, including the Lower Lobe Crew Rest? You may remember this small room of six bunks on some models of the 777 where Flight Attendants go for rest and can actually stretch out and lay down on extended flights.

Keep in mind the Crew Rest Bunks as you read this small item that showed up a couple of weeks ago on the "briefing sheet":

MAINTENANCE 'MEL/CARRY FORWARD' OPEN CABIN SERVICE ITEMS: 1 CFXXXX LOWER CREW REST COMPARTMENT HAS BUNK WITH URINE CUSHION IN CARGO HOLD : NEEDS NEW MATTRESS UPPER

Yep--somebody peed the bed.

I really don't know what else to say!

Sao Paulo and Rio trip

2011-02-11T14:15:00.000-05:00

I'm back and thanks to the wonders of Ambien, I am recovered from my five-day Sao Paulo (GRU) Rio de Janeiro (GIG) trip. It's a trip that was long, and I was ready to be home when we got back.

Here's the trip, in airline-ese:

CREW: FS M N O P Q

EQP D FLT# DT DPTARV DPTR ARVL L/O TTLS TTLA ACM DTM RMKS

77Q I IADGRU 2216 1040 2540 924 924 1154 SB

77P I GRUGIG 1220 1325 630 105 105

77P I GIGGRU 1955 2120 2630 125 230 1115

77P I GRUIAD 2350 0624 00 934 934 1204

TOTAL TIME 2435 FLT TIME 2128 TMA 8253

M-MEAL BOARDED- 861/31 IAD M-MEAL BOARDED- 860/03 GRU

Day One, a Monday, was a late evening departure--my sign-in was 8:31 p.m. with departure at 10:46 p.m. But, wait...we were delayed getting out because of this idiot. I think our pilots made up the time in the air, and we arrived mostly on-time in GRU.

On the 777, I worked the Business Aisle. While she was setting up her Galley, I asked Dolly if she wanted me to "set up the coffees or something". She put her hand up to stop me and said, "I don't need a Galley Assist." Well, alrighty then! And, look, Dolly was good-she ran a mean galley-but, she was a little bossy and it made for a little unnecessary tension for anyone that stepped foot into her galley, even passengers. The other Aisle person, John, compared it to being dogs with electric collars on--and we did our best not to cross the imaginary fence line for most of the night. (Bee-otch!)

After a nine-hour flight, we arrived in GRU on Tuesday morning around 11:00 a.m. (GRU is +3 hours from our East Coast time zone.) Walking outside in the 80+ degree weather, after leaving snow and ice in Washington was great! Then, the heavy humidity hit me and I was ready for the air conditioned bus.

The ride to our hotel took an hour. No traffic, really. Just far from the airport in "downtown." On very bumpy roads. Bumpy, bumpy, bumpy. With big potholes. (Did I mention bumpy?) At the hotel, a colleague, Renee, and I sat on the balcony with a couple of adult beverages, with plans to meet the rest of the crew later for dinner. She left and I took a nap.

I set the alarm, but didn't turn it on (FAIL!) I slept right through, waking up around 9 p.m--so much for enjoying my 25 hour layover! I had to get something to eat, and be ready to head back to the airport in 12 hours.

Day 3, Wednesday morning, we met in the lobby a little after 9 a.m. for the hour-long bus ride back to the airport--our 34-minute Rio de Janeiro (GIG) flight was to depart shortly after noon.

Arriving in GIG, we ride the charter bus to the hotel, which is very close to Ipanema Beach. Another hour. Oh, and the 89 degree weather (about 32 C) was accompanied by 66% humidity. Yowsa! I hustled to the hotel room, Febrezed my humidity-ladened uniform, and took a quick shower just get the sticky off!

We were at the hotel for less than 3 hours, when it was time to take the hour bus ride back to the airport. The return flight to GRU was 45 minutes, then another hour ride back to the hotel. (I don't think I complain too much here, but my Duty Day was 11 hours and 15 minutes and I was paid for 2 hours and 30 minutes. A long day, without much pay.)

After changing clothes, we all met in the hotel lobby and walked across the street for a bite to eat. Not very good food, but a fun bunch to sit and relax with--and that always makes for a good trip.

Our 4th day, Thursday, I spent a little time walking around the hotel--over to Ibirapuera Park for a little people watching and quickly came back inside. It was positively steamy outside!

That night we left the hotel at 10:20 pm...our flight ended up being delayed until almost 3 a.m. I worked Business Galley with John and George--Dolly had gone back home on another flight. Since it was so late, and our passengers mostly wanted to sleep, we modified the dinner service and served it as quickly as possible. They were both great to work with, and we knocked out the dinner service in short order.

Landing in Washington (IAD) around 9:45 a.m., a couple of my colleagues had missed their commuter flights home, so I dropped them off at Reagan National Airport (DCA) which is on my way home.

It was after noon before I fell asleep in my chair!

Sao Paulo, balcony view

Rio de Janeiro, balcony view

Rio de Janiero, balcony view

Rio de Janeiro, balcony view, close-up

Flight Attendants Renee and John
I sure work with some good-lookin' people!

Passionfruit cocktail--mmmmm!!!!

Carlos and John

He's outta here!

2011-02-01T21:19:00.006-05:00

Quick story. I'm in Sao Paulo and going back to bed shortly. That's all I've done today is sleep!

Last night, we were boarding passengers for our flight to Sao Paulo. I was working the 2L "boarding door" on the 777. This is the door the passengers enter through on this aircraft. My job is to direct traffic. Some people need to cross through the Business Galley (right in front of them) to get to their seats; some can cross over mid-airplane; some stay on the same side as the aircraft door.

A large man entered with a fist full of boarding passes for him and his family. They are splayed out like a poker hand of cards. I directed him to cross through the Business Galley. As he is through the Galley, and turning right to head towards his seats in Coach, our Purser, Adam*, is trying to "swim upstream" and come from the back of Business towards the front of the airplane. He asks Lisa, who is opposite of me at the 2R door, to hold up the traffic for a moment so he can come up. Lisa says, "Hold here for a moment, please." There was no response, as the man and his family continued to try and move towards their seats. "Stop here for just a minute, please," Lisa asks again. Still, no response. Thinking a language barrier, she puts her hand up in a "STOP" fashion, like this:

The man turned around and exploded in anger! He was yelling, and cussing, with his finger pointing in her face! It was incredible show of rage! I was afraid Lisa was about to be struck by the man!

He had turned around and saw Lisa's hand up in the "STOP" sign, and accused her of hitting his 10 year-old son. He was so out of control!

Adam rushed the line of people in the Business Aisle and forcefully said to the man, "I am in charge here. You speak to ME!" And the man continued to yell, with veins nearly bursting in his face. Even after it was explained what had happened, and the boy said he didn't get hit, the man was still enraged!

He made his way back to his seat. Adam called the Captain and the Customer Service Supervisor. The family was allowed to stay, but the volatile man, and his luggage, were quickly removed from the aircraft.

There is no room for this sudden, violent anger on an airplane. A misunderstanding, for sure, but a quick question to his son would have prevented all this.

Or, would it? Who knows what else could have triggered his anger. I am glad we didn't have to find out.

*All names changed to protect the innocent!

.

Five day trip

2011-01-31T14:48:00.000-05:00

The Voice has given me a new trip...I'm going to Sao Paulo (GRU) tonight--we get there at 11 tomorrow morning. We layover for 25 hours, then do Rio de Janeiro (GIG) "turn"--go there then come back six hours later--then layover another 25 hours. Gone for five days.

I'm charging up the camera battery right now!

Reserve days

2011-01-30T15:32:00.001-05:00

We're back from our cruise, rested and relaxed. Tomorrow I start 6 days of Reserve--of course, I am first up for an Airport Standby at 5 a.m. tomorrow morning. Hopefully, The Voice will call before 1 a.m. (the latest allowed, and the most usual time The Call comes.)

I'll keep you posted!

Update:

I was super-surprised to wake up this morning without getting The Call. It's just about noon and I'm still here. Well, alrighty then!

The Honeymooners-finally!

2011-01-18T01:54:00.002-05:00

As some of you may know, Norm and I were married a little over a year ago, before he deployed to Germany. We ran down to the courthouse on a moment's notice, with only God and the celebrant as our witnesses, and we were married.

Then, he was sent away to a faraway land. Oh, I was able to see him, and he was able to come home a couple of times, but it always involved non-rev (standby) travel. That meant it wasn't a sure thing, and a couple of times, a no-go situation for me.

So, we decided we would go on a cruise when he came back, and that would be our official honeymoon.

We leave for Fort Lauderdale (FLL) on Friday. We sail on the Oasis of the Seas on Saturday for seven nights. We don't even care where it goes...we just like being on the ships. (Okay, okay, two stops in Mexico-Costa Maya and Cozumel and one private "island"- Labadee.)

Two rock-climbing walls, a zip line, ice-skating rink, two Flo-riders (onboard surfing), basketball court, 26 different dining venues, fitness center, spa, 37 bars, a Coach store, and the largest casino at sea...the ship is mind-boggling!

Here are some pictures that obviously I stole from the Internet....

Leaving Finland, where she was made, Oasis of the Seas
passing under the Great Belt Bridge, which she cleared
by only two feet, after having lowered her smokestacks.

Docked next to the Radiance of the Seas

See the Coach store on the right?

Norm booked us a balcony stateroom, then upgraded it a few months later, when the price was right. Our Travel Agent e-mailed us last week--Royal Caribbean very generously upgraded us again! So, we're both excited about that!

We cashed in some Delta miles for our airline tickets and are heading down to Fort Lauderdale with real seat assignments! No standby travel for the honeymooners!

Salt Lake City from 30,000 feet

2011-01-12T00:09:00.000-05:00

I love flying into Salt Lake City (SLC). Lying between the Oquirrh and Wasatch Mountains, the contrast in geography of the salt flats and mountains is so different than what we have on the East Coast.

Mackerel clouds from above

The Rocky Mountains
On our way to Salt Lake City (SLC)

A river runs through it...

Salt Lake City