Click on a label to read posts from that part of the world.
Recent Comments:
Five Things Airlines Don't Want You to Know {AOL Travel News}
Aug 26th 2010 3:06PM Just another note of caution. You may not want to use the ice that is stored in the galley bins.
Galley Gossip: A question about flight attendant buddy passes {Gadling}
Jul 9th 2009 12:40PM I work for an airline and I usually only reserve buddy passes for extreme emergencies. Examples being funerals, sudden illnesses, family crisis, etc. My company has changed from the old system of charging us for the pass riders voyage. However, in many cases I find myself paying the fee just to be a nice person..
I had one experience which slowed me down from from a co-worker whom I work with on an outside job. The woman whom I gave the pass to decided to return to where she lives at the last minute before having to report for my other job. I recall her calling me frantically from the gate and handing the gate agent the phone for me to tell them she had to go to work. I wanted to die at the moment. I apologized profusely to the gate agent and explained that this person is not familiar with pass riding. She finally made it to work and for me it was my last time giving her any passes.
Another incident I had a former airline employee who no longer works for my company drop off her unaccompanied minor at the airport and simply left him there long before the flight left. The child was a special needs child who caused some issues at the gate but was able to be controlled at the gate. The grandmother former airline employee was supposed to stay with the child until the plane take off. She didn't. Lucky for me the ground personnel knew the former employee and knew of my reputation and that saved my rear end. After that I made a promise that I would never randomly issue passes unless as stated above in an emergency or that I am flying with then.
My company will suspend your flying benefits in a heartbeat if you violate their polices. Yes, we are personally responsible for the behaviour of our pass riders and it is not worth the risk. I rather purchase a cheap ticket for someone which I have and just give it to them. If a flight attendant or pilot was ever caught selling their flying benefits, that could result in them potentially losing their job all together. For me the compensation is not worth the risk. I rather work a second job as I do.
Unfortunately, for me pass riding is a way of life as I am a commuter to work. There are times when I do not get a seat as the flight is full. At that point I am happy if I end up on the flight attendant jumpseat so I can get to work.
There are times I do not have to report to work until 8 p.m. or 9 p.m. and I find myself getting up at 1 a.m. or 2 a.m. just to make the first flight out. I am constantly watching the weather channel to make certain that there may be no cancellations. Always planning alternative routes to fly to get as close as possible if I can not make to my desired airport. Other headaches include checking the loads, which can change at the last minute, not being able to wear casual clothes as I may end of on the jompseat, also having to introduce yourself to the crew who may not always be happy to have you in a jumpseat as their workspace is being invaded. You may have to leave a day earlier than you want to avoid weather or get home a day later because of weather.
Last and most importantly, always be prepared to purchase a last minute ticket if your situation requires you to be there pronto! That situation has happened to me in the past buying a last minute ticket on a competitor airline just to get to work.
I have to ask myself at times why do I do this to myself. LOL! I guess flying gets into your blood.
Galley Gossip: Cell phones on the airplane {Gadling}
May 28th 2009 11:34AM After several requests. I personally have no problem with having the captain turn the plane around and allowing this uncoopertive person to finish his call inside the airport terminal while he waits for his next flight. Many people fail to realize it is a FERDERAL REQUIREMENT to comply with ALL instructional signs, posted placard and most importantly CREW MEMBER INSTRUCTIONS. How hard of a task is this?
Galley Gossip: A question about becoming a flight attendant and job security {Gadling}
Mar 26th 2009 1:21PM If she does not do it. She will always wonder.... what if? Many flight attendants myself included have outside jobs. Of course I am not on reserve so I have control of my schedule and my other job as a registered nurse is flexible so I can combine the two.
It is very true that these are uncertain times for the airlines. I applaud your advice that was given to Lorelei. However, it is very wise to have a back up plan.
I agree with you that commuting is hard. I commute with my Yorkshire Terrier as I do not have a pet sitter in Miami where I live, but my fellow flight attendant co-worker and her elderly mother with whom I reside with in New York (Rego Park) as my crash pad, also double as my pet sitters. In my case I am always watching the weather and the flight loads. In addition I am prepared to purchase a ticket if the situation arises.
It is a crazy lifestyle, but as you stated earlier.... It gets into your blood.
Best wishes unto all!
Galley Gossip: A question about why I'm based in New York when I live in California {Gadling}
Jan 18th 2009 5:29PM Dorie,
I sincerely admire your stamina and ability to juggle, marriage, work, and family, responsibilities all together. Being on reserve and commuting is a difficult lifestyle, to add a crash pad on top of it....WOW!
As previously mentioned in my earlier post. I stay in New York with my best friend and her elderly mother with my little dog while I am flying. The advantage I have with them, they are like family to me, so it makes life a little easier.
Flying gets into your blood and indeed becomes a way of life. However, like you if I had to choose family... I'd do it any day. I greatly admire your decision.
Cheers!
Galley Gossip: A question about why I'm based in New York when I live in California {Gadling}
Jan 12th 2009 8:16PM I fly for a different carrier and for the very same exact reasons. I choose to live in Miami and commute to New York (JFK).
I have better seniority there (JFK) and fly better trips.... trans-con (turns). I can fly a full time minimum schedule, approximately 70 hours in about 8 days in a row. I am forced to have one day off as per the FAA's 24/7 rule.
For those 8 days that I fly, my life is horrific, but then I have about 22+ days off for the rest of the month to rest, work my other job and spend more time with my little Yorkshire Terrier (Kahlua), who also commutes to New York with me.
We stay with my best friend who also flies for my same airline and her elderly mother who pet sits for me while I am flying.
I hope you are awarded a line soon and your reserve days will end!
Cheers!
P.S. LOVE YOUR FORUM!!!
Galley Gossip: Why business class is the most junior position on the airplane (Plus a chance to win the book The Go-Giver) {Gadling}
Nov 12th 2008 3:01PM I fly for an all coach carrier. However, I tend to notice that the most senior people tend to bid for the back of the aircraft rather than the front. Seemingly the passengers in the back are less demanding than the forward cabin passengers who sometimes confuse sitting in the front of an all coach cabin with business/first class.
I too am a dual career professional. I work as a registered nurse in the Emergency Room. I have enough seniority at my company to hold down a full time nursing job.
