missing cheese

Just sittin' here listen' to Elton John's greatest hits. It is luckly my evening off prior to a 24 hour break from work. I am not feeling well so I am so happy for a little down time. I clocked in 101 flying hours for the month of August, I am exhausted!!

I got home this morning at 0700 but it feels like forever ago. My four day trip was good other than the delays. A few crazies in first class on a couple of legs. Strangely enough they were both time ladies in the first row. This one loony was asking everyone if they owned a home because she thinks that "single woman" can own their homes. She didn't dare ask me as I had already asked her to remove her feet from the bulkhead least they break on a hard stop. It is funny to watch the poor souls which are seated next to them enduring the constant jaber. I think the passanger would have rather given back her upgrade than listen to the "realtor' any more. The other basket case wanted to argue with me about proper stowage of carry-ons. I imformed her that I had four and half weeks of training of proper stowage and I think I knew what was best. Then she jumps up during the taxi out so we have to stop the plane and she just didn't understand why everyone was looking at her. That was a long four hours, let me tell you. I encouraged her to try our wine in order to wind her down. The red eye home everyone behaved and slept. I got through more of my book and drank a gallon of hot water and lemon.

I had the rest of my review today and passed with flying colors, ie. they don't seem too strict up here. Which we all love.

I am off to IKEA tomorrow to finish building a closet as I have brought some of my fall clothes out in preparation for the weather change that has come upon the NE so quickly. Word has it that we will feel some of the effects of the hurricane this weekend. Should be interesting flying.

Roomies are doing okay, the boy was instructed not to dare go into my room this morning as I was catching up on my sleep and no one wanted to be a witness to a murder. Someone has been eating my cheese and french bread pizza which doesn't make me happy. I wrote a note on the white board, we will see if intimidates the culprit..

fourteen hours

I am sitting in ATL wishing I had three more hours to lay in bed. I turned on the coffee maker and wondered why it wasn't working. I need to add water, shows you how much I drink coffee. Green tea, water is a given! Actually it just proves my point of how tired I am. Our eleven hour day turned into a fourteen hour day and then a mile long walk through the airport to our shuttle. Weather delays kept us grounded in ORD for close to four hours. Our customers were not happy in the least bit so it was wonderful that I had a young crew that could make light of the situation and entertain the customers. The most senior person on this trip is 3 months. I love it though because it still hasn't lost its novelity and we are having a great time.

Next time you are on a plane, watch people watching the FAs. It's like they never saw a person pouring Diet Coke before. They just stare at me and look at the cart with wonderment. I don't get it. Chris offered an explaination that there is nothing else to do. I guess I just enjoyed it when he was watching me.

Unfortunatly nothing happen thus far on this pairing that is exciting or even worth embellishment to write about. On to IAH then my second home for the night.

grateful

I have just been thinking about how incrediably lucky I have been through my journey thus far. I did well in training and was honored by being elected the class president, got a long famously with my roommate, had increadiable trips given to me, scheduling has been so nice to me, and I just got a trip that will put me over my guarantee so my check will be a little more next month. Things are running smoothly other than getting home from the ol' airport but if that was perfect, I think I would question it too much. For right now I am taking the transit with a grain of salt and realizing that it makes finally getting home so much better. There hasn't been a moment that I have regreted this decision or not thought this is what I am supposed to be doing right now in my life.

My day consisted of airport alert first thing this morning. I completed my testing portion of my 30 day review, took a nap, woke up to Blue's Clues, solved the mystery, and then with ten minutes left was called out on a turn to MYR. I didn't even know what state it was in, turned out to be a golfing meca in South Carolina. I got home two hours after work through many stops and good bonding time with my favorite roomie.

Speaking of that...we hit the city yesterday and I got my French visa. Yes, ladies and gentlemen when I get that fateful call that asks if I can go to Paris, I can now say wee!! We spent the rest of the day wandering around, playing the piano at FAO Schwartz, looking at diamonds at Tiffanys, pastrami sandwich at Stage Deli, shopping on 5th Avenue, a little flirting with my investment banker, and finally a game at Shae Stadium in Queens. Good times, good times.

My pairing came in for my next adventure, see if you can follow. Home-ORD-home-ATL-layover-ATL-IAH-PDX-layover-home. Three day trip ending in beautiful Portland. Maybe the schedulers have been ready my blog and know that I am not truly ready to release PDX from my heart. I am going to wrap up all things I missed last time and of course, give the girl some love and continue to count my blessings.

ramblings from portland

It was on the way home somewhere between 12th and 14th Street, looking back on the building where he lived without the knowledge of my love, that I decided it was time. It is time to let go of Portland, let go of the life that once brought me somuch comfort and joy, and move on the new life which lays in wait for me.

A conversation with my dear friend, Jeff over the reminants of tiramisu and gelato hit home. How can I begin a new life with my heart still attached to PDX? The friendships will not be over if I move permantely and the memories I cherish so much can be packed and moved. Selling my loft saddens me to think about but Jeff is absolutely correct when he explained how a house looses its home feel once everything is out, off the walls, and packed away.

Heartache is an actual phenomenon. I don't cry very often and when I do break down, it is uaually in private. I am person who likes to talk things out but now I search my list of friends to match this mood I am in, and I come up with none.

The question in my final interview that is now prompted in my mind now was..."What is going to be the most difficult thing for you about this upcoming change?" I answered quickly, my girl, I will miss her dearly. The recruiter was very symathetic to my answer and told me she had the same dilemia. I can't wait for George to move to the big city, it breaks my heart to leave her once more.

___________________________________


I got a ride to the airport this morning nice and early before my 0950 flight. I went to check in and got an error message about my baggage. I went up to the agent and found out that ol' brillant here booked myself on the red-eye instead of my imaginary flight home. What does this mean for my life? Well, since I already exhausted my ride to the airport, I am stuck here for five hours to entertain myself. It also means that I will not be home now until 2200 at which time I have to run to the crew room to fill out my French Visa app and have it signed by a supervisor. Here's hoping the flight arrives in time. I know that you are always supposed to be exactly where you are but I have yet to decifer the meaning of being at PDX right now. Thus far I ahve had my hair cut, ate some eggs benidect, drank 2 mimosas, ran into the lady whose home I stayed at during my first week in Portland, got a Starbucks, read some of my book (Naked by David Sederias--highly recommend), talked to a stranger with a camera, and silently bitched about my luck.

three day trip

08.21.06

Forgetting about the hour time difference during sit time between flights today allowwed me some time for wandering. I found a great little ice cream place and ordered myself a milkshake. Looking around, I realized I was standing in the same food court where I had breakfast three monhs ago on my way to the interview with a kind FA. The nervousness I experienced then made me smile today. This airport has now lost its novelity due to the OB and IOE flights but this is the first time I have walked through this concourse wearing wings, and it feels good.


This is my first trip that has consisted of more than one leg going and coming back. My journey started with a trip to FLL and the haunting tales of aligators earing people. My 25 hour layover gave me plenty of naptime, the ability to way the NYY and Sox game, and some time to wander around. Mind you every time I saw water, I crossed the street. Still alive and not impressed with FLL as I didn't get the chance to go to the beach. The next leg took us home to pick more eldery passangers to go to Florida, this time is was TPA. Our layover was short but the bar/beach was a nice place to grab a glass of wine and watch the game. I feel asleep in my sleep # bed (I am a 20) during the top of the eight inning. TPA-IAH-DFW-then home to try and catch a flight to PDX prior to my 0700 flight tomorrow am.

FUCK!!! All I want to do is go home. I have given up on the idea of getting to PDX tonight. So I missed the 62 and decided to catch the 40 instead. This is the same bus in which the P6 parking shuttle takes you to the north parking lot (aka BFE). The timing worked out perfectly to catch the 8:57 bus. Did it ever show up? No! Was I standing alone in a not-so-great area? Yes! Do I feel guilty as hell about getting my sick roommate out of bed to come and get me because I am on the verge of tears? Extremely! This is the most frustrating part of this job, getting home from the airport. Sometimes I wonder if I should bring my car to save my sanity? Strangely enough it would be easier to get to work if I lived in Manhattan. It would be a lot more fab too!!

city

I am enjoying the last hours of my two days off. They have been entertaining as well as lazy and relaxing. I made it back from Toronto in one piece and was picked up at the airport by all of my girls. We sat up and watched View from the Top and then went to bed to prepare for my big day. I awoke with ease and got ready. Meeting my friend Michele at the path and then in Mahattan. We grabbed a bagel and walked around for a bit then hit the subway and headed to the Bronx. I was so excited to be standing in the shadow of Yankee Stadium. We grabbed our tickets and then got a beer from Stan's across the street. There is nothing wrong with drinking a beer at 1130, it's noon somewhere in Canada!! We proceeded to our seats a hundred feet from first base and watched the boys stretch. A hotdog in the third and many beers later, thanks the guy in front of us with the paper bag, we headed back to midtown to meet 19C and some others for a drink. We donned our Yankee hats and shirts proudly although they did not play well. A quick stop by Bloomingdales and ten minutes in the bathroom, we came out looking like ladies. We walked to Fifth Avenue and went to a rooftop bar at The Pennisula as suggested by my boy. Conversation and the wine flowed freely as I kept thinking how handsome he was. We parted because he had to go back to work and the girls and I were headed to dinner. We stopped by a comedy club for a few minutes and then headed to a lovely Italian restuarant frequented by Mr. Big. He was not there but the chicken breast and noodles certainily made up for it. The roomies picked me up and drug me to a local bar, it was a bit disappointing after the city but I hung out and watched the small town people have a good time.

I am off to San Diego tomorrow for a three day trip and then come my four days off. Glad to have another transcon and to be going home soon.

39 bus experiement

My faith a little restored in the NJ transit system gave me the courage to try a new route to the airport. I studied the schedule this morning while getting ready and had in my mind that my check in was 1530. Hearing the news that a plane was diverted already today due to security issues, I left the house at 1320. I refused the offer for a ride feeling very confident in my experiment. Let's just say that it went a-rye. I boarded the 39 bus and was ready to get our and transfer when they announced "Penn Station". I sat quietly watching the passangers get on and off. Looking around and discovering I was the only white girl on the bus and the streets looked so unfamiliar, I went up to the driver and asked about my stop. I missed it by miles. He told me to cross the street and take the next 39 bus back. I don't think I have ever prayed for protection asmuch as I did walking across the street while eyes of dozens of kids up to no good follewed me. The bus came proptly to my relief and I boarded once more telling the driver to please let me know when I needed to get off. The stop came and once again I had to cross the street, this time is was the main street in Newark. I just missed the bus so I stood patiently on the curb ready to run into traffic if need be. I tried to have an air of confidence but the tears were welling up behind my designer sunnies.
Finally at the airport, checked in and it all washed away because here it is a gorgeous day and the Manhattan skyline guided my walk to gate 87. I tried a Nathan's hotdog for the first time (thought I owed myself a treat for getting here alive and with all my belongings), not too shabby!! I am betting though my dog tomorrow will be better only because it will be accompanied by a beer and the sweet sounds of Yankee Stadium.

mco

It was my second turn to Florida and the fourth time as the lead. I am getting that part down well. Great crew and the trip went smoothly other than the fact that some one had vandalized the mirror with grafetti. It was noticed prior to take off and gave me a strange gut feeling. We had an extra high sense of security through the flight. Nothing came of the message written backwards because a. it was nothing but kids messing around or b. we took extra steps to ensure the message was not received. I don't want to know what would have happened if I didn't follow my gut but I am glad that I did no matter how silly it seemed to others.

Last day until my two days off takes me on a turn to YYZ.

Home life is pretty good when it is just the four girls. I have the luck of not being around when the other party has been home. A lunch mate played a joke on him yesterday about being my boyfriend and it is up to me to keep the straight face and tell ol' nosy that I don't want to talk about it. Currently I am hiding in the tent my roomie has made with her loft bed. Kudos to her right now because I just saw his shadow looking into my room.

The plane has become my most comfortable place to be, my home away from my loft. I feel more and more confident with each flight and I will have to admit there hasn't been a moment that I felt uneasy or that this was not the correct thing to be doing with my life at the moment.

Special congrats are in order for my Aussie friend how will be joining me in the friendly skies of the world with the elite airline, Emirates. Yay!!!!

portlander

Back here at the home base after my last trip. I had the great fortune to pick up a trip to PDX. I took a cab home because I didn't know when my next trip was and I didn't feel lilke spending a couple of hours on/waiting for public transit. My bags were much heavier to haul up the steep stairwell to my apartment this time. A trip home allowed me to gather some things such as my Sex in the City collection, a couple items of clothing, and a couple of cords.

Walking through the door to my loft in my uniform was like two worlds crossing over each other. It seemed to so wrong to be there with a FA mentality. I immediately took it off and got into something more comfortable. Better!! I jumped in the car which has sat idle for two months and drove to get my girl. It was so good to see her and sit on the floor catching up with Gio and playing with her. We had a delicious lunch at Bluehour and then I went home to take a nap. I was exhusted and knew that I needed break the world of Portlander and FA up with some sleep. I awoke and everything was normal; I was in my house with George, nothing had moved or changed. My shower welcomed me and tons of clothes were awaiting my choosing. I grabbed a bottle of wine and made my way to Sunday dinner. It is amazing how you can pretend even when you are older. I was pretending that I still lived in the village, still went to Starbucks every morning, still saw my friends, still lived at home. But I don't. That reality didn't hit me until two hours into the flight home.

I was discombobulated as I went to the airport and checked in for my flight as a crew member. I am usually reading a book waiting to board at this (my fav) airport. I got on the plane and couldn't find my head from my ass. I told myself that I need to disembody the Portlander and put on my FA role instead.

I wish that I could put into words how strange it felt, but nothing articulate is coming to mind. The thing that was even more silly was watching a F-15 land right next to us. I was suddendly rushed back to my home town where they flew into the base daily.

All is well now that I am in my now first home, things are back to normal. I am however, excitally awaiting my return to a Portlander in eight days.

airport alert 2

No assignment was given as is usually the case at 2100 the day before we go on reserve. I took a shower and went to bed early just in case. The call came at midnight, not the c"an you fly to Paris in the morning?" call, it was "can you sit airport alert at 0500?" call. I say yes because I didn't think I had an option. I woke up at 0330 and got ready to go. The security was out of control for the common folk but not for me. i checked in a half an hour early. I grabbed a blanket and joined my fellow waiters in nap. Three hours I konked out and the last hour was spent with a good friend from training.

Since I sat on airport alert, I was eligiable to pick up a trip. And that is exactly what I did the moment it turned 1600, I picked up a transcon to my favorite city of Portland. Can't wait to see see the girl, grab some stuff, hang out with friends, go to Sunday dinner all while getting paid predium.

Life is good, the roomie and I spent all day watching movies, coloring, munching, checking out guys on myspace, and enjoying what our life is now.

historic day and fll

8.10.06

It was brought to my attention while buying water and getting change for the bus. In full uniform I stood in the deli and listened to the news. Bits and pieces did not make sense until I called my mom to see what was going on. The feeling of fear washed over me as I entered the terminal, the fear was on customers faces as well. I walked to the security check point ready to surrender all of my liquids: toothpaste, lotion, and water. By the time I got there, it had calmed down a bit and uniform employees were allowed to bring their stuff through. The feeling in the terminal was quite.

My turn to FLL was a bit eventful. I was given the lead position on the 757, a plane that I have never been on. I didn't get to make any announcements because this fancy computer made them all for me. The trick though was to figure out how the damn thing worked. The FO had to show me. Good trip down with a nice and helpful crew. Our trip home however was long and a bit stressful as we were placed in two holding patterns and the natives were getting restless. Finally we returned home and fourty minutes waiting for a non-existance bus and a ride back to the terminal to catch a cab.

My head met the pillow was great haste. It was a wonderful night sleep knowing that I didn't not have to awake to an alarm or a phone call from scheduling.

SEA and 19C

I sit in the airport where my grandpa used to work security; I am in Seattle.

My roommate awoke me at 0500 to give her a ride to the airport and upon my return I thought it best to stay up until I had to go and sit on airport alert. I am happy to report the bus ride was smooth and I ended up at the airport an hour early. I called and checked in at 0930 and sat there for three and half hours. The white bat phone rang and gave me one minute to check in for my trip and fourteen minutes to run across the terminal to the gate. I was given the lead position (something I have never done0. I didn't know where to stow my luggage, my phone was ringing, and I clinging to my manual and a bunch of forms. Then they had the nerve to give me three kids to be in charge of. To say I was freaking out would be an understatement. Greeting passangers was my main duty for the moment, okay I can handle that. One guy that came on board asked if I would have the same smile at the end of our trip. I told him it would certainly be there because I would have figured out what I was doing by then.

My crew was awesome, they were so helpful and calmed my nerves right down. It helped that 19C was smoking hot and we smiled at each other every time I passed. The five and half hour flight was gone in a blink. But in the fourth hours I finally balls up and went and talked to cutie pie in 19C. A short conversation with me sitting on the armrest across from him resulted in my digits on a cocktail napkin and a huge boost to my ego.

A layover at the HI found me asleep at 0800. What a long day. I will say that I woke up for the phone call from 19C.

The journey home was filled with more confidence and a lot of screwball passangers. Let's see, "can you refridgerate my cheese?", "can you change the movie?", what the hell?

I am finally at home after a good nights sleep and awaiting my next journey. Awaiting the phone to ring.

airport alert

About ready to jump in the shower and head off to the bus stop. I have been assigned airport alert. That means I am ready, willing, and able to go anywhere at a moments notice. They are forecasting thunder showers today, so I will be off somewhere in the world. What a great job!!!!

Bored

I am bored as hell, I have been so blessed by scheduling to have the weekend off. However there is not much to do in the little town. I found the Wal-mart yesterday and got some groceries and little things. I am all settled in and actually wanting to go on a long trip so I can feel more like a flight attendant. It will start again tomorrow and be four days until my next free day. I am going for a walk now to at least get out of the house.

Missing George a lot lately. :-(

Trip 2

Friday

Sitting in my suite over looking the pool to the right and a parking lot to the left at the Marriott in Las Vegas. I am eating a hot pocket and sipping on some gatorade, yes folks, I am hung over. I took full advantage of my 16 hour layover in sin city.

My second trip was assigned and I was off to the airport. I grab a bottle of water and a lemon pie from the corner market (p.s. can't wait to try one of their subs) and stand in the 100 degree heat awaiting my bus. I jump on board and the driver asked me where my friends were, "just me today". Everything ran smoothly all the way to the crew room with the exception of the loonie bins on the bus who find the life of a FA fansinating and want to ask five hundred questions.

I met my supervisor today (cutie) and we ended up talking about this and that and mortgages.

So my crew yesterday was one young girl (partner in crime in LAS), a very sweet Chinesse lady who didn't speak English very well but assigned to make the pa's, and one Texan whose ten years of experience made her the ruler of the plane (or so she thought). Long story short, the older ladies didn't get along and found it necessary to come back to my galley and tell me about it. I just smiled and listened until the left over ice cream sundaess were avaliable in silent, no drama first class.

Thursday Night

What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.

Our trip home was with a lady 23 years in and cool as shit. The comedy that in ensued on this flight included, the lead taking the dry ice off the ice cream on the floor during the safety demo, screwing up the headset count, and turning on the overhead lights when asked to get a Miller lite. Comedy, just plain comedy!!!!

LAS-baby yeah!!

I have some how managed to appease the flight gods as I have just been awarded a three day trip (with a 20 hour layover) in Sin City!!! Woo-hoo. Despite all the things that keep happening to our household, orders for beds cancelled, denials of car rentals, and the lack of phone and furniture, we are keeping our chins up and making it through. Brit, Missy, and I did laundry this afternoon. I haven't been in a laundrymat for God knows how long. I am not a fan for the record. I off to pack my suitcase with my swimsuit and some going out clothes. Trying for employee of the week!!

hot, hot

It was 110 degrees here in Kearny yesterday and today it is currently 100. Things are finally getting settled and my room is put away nicely. Brit and I went on a walk today and checked out our small town. Finally feeling the heat, we grabbed a sub and made our way back to the ol' apartment. I had five, count them, five minutes alone today before the other roomate came back from babysitting his 17 year old sister. Don't ask, we just enjoyed our girl time last night by watching movies on the floor with a laptop, blankets, pillows, and some popcorn.

I ordered my dress uniform today and hopefully it will be here soon because our uniforms are not that cute. My mom would make the arguement that they are very classic and proper while another would say they are school-uniformish (in a good fantesy way). I am looking for trips to pick up for my next three days on schedule. There is no three day trips avaliable so I am looking to bid on the trip to SEA, let's see if I can pick it up. Otherwise I am at the mercy of scheduling, which worked out nicely last time. The only thing that concerns me is a very early check because of the bus schedule.

Enjoying the air con and the rest of my philly steak sub.

NJ transit sucks

The NJ transit system is the most jacked up thing I have ever experienced. Friday, our last day to ourselves was rung in with plenty of cocktails. Needless to say we didn't arrive home until five in the morning. We stumbled around for a bit and then I needed grease. A short walk and questioning the postman brought us to this fab burger joint whose mascot is a bulldog with a burger in hand. It was so good, they had mini, mini fries and corn with the usual toppings...delic!!!! I highly recommend.

The horror began when we got on the bus to pick up our other roommate. Long story short it took us seven hours to accomplish this mission and get back home via tax from Penn Station because we had given up trying to find where the damn 40 bus picked up. There was a point towards the end when all us were yelled at by the bus driver and we all looked at each other with tears welling up. Right then is when we decided to get a cab.

Yesterday I thought I had it figured out but forgot what day it was and almost missed the bus home. I got off too early and ended up walking a mile to my house. Lessons, lessons learned. My trip home was great, one barcart service and then just walk throughs with water as my whole cabin was asleep. I tried to read but it made me so tired. The load, John entertained me for a bit then went up to the front to hang out with the other girls and make fun of me because I was working so much. "I love new people, they do all the work!" he tells the others.

Waiting for my next adventure.

catching up

Drinks wiith friends, catching up mostly consisted of my stories from FA camp. People have stayed the same,sure there are a couple new bonds, some separations, and new declarations of summer (which I am electing to join the effort, actually I think I have already been inducted! :-))

Four days at home. Naps were the largest consumer of my time to the point I didn't finish packing until Sunday. To say things have changed at home is a stretch, but there is a feeling within me that has changed. Maybe it is me and my new outlook on life. Saying goodbye this time was not very hard; sure there are those who tug on my heart strings more, but overall, I am very glad to be sitting on this plane. Gone is my first class upgrade (I get spoiled so quickly) I sit here in a middle seat with a child kicking my seat and we all know how big of kid fan I am. The agent already copped an attitude about my carry ons, "are you going to fit all of that under your seat?" (read with snidness). I shut her right up when I replied, it is crew luggage. Boarding the plane, I saw a familiar face, the lead FA that was on my IOE to PHX, she is my link to sanity on this five hour flight.