Click on a label to read posts from that part of the world.
Recent Comments:
Galley Gossip: Hottest trend on the airplane since the mile high club {Gadling}
Apr 26th 2009 9:16PM I think Heather rocks! She writes excellently and obviously has a sense of humor which you apparently don't. If you don't enjoy reading her articles, perhaps you should do something else that you do enjoy, like hiding in you closet. Heather, keep up the entertaining work. It's unfortunate that so many people are negative; wouldn't flying be so much more fun if everyone had your attitude?
-Christian
Galley Gossip: Hottest trend on the airplane since the mile high club {Gadling}
Apr 26th 2009 9:04PM Heather-
I was a leader in the mystery lav-er league-(Feb of 2004!)
Check the evidence
http://www.alpineworldwide.com/FA_adventures.htm
GOTTA DO IT !!
-Christian
Galley Gossip: A question about turbulence and being scared at work {Gadling}
Apr 24th 2009 3:31PM Leesa & Heather-
I have the unique background of not only being an aircraft designer, a pilot (airplane, helicopter, ultralight and hang glider), but I also had the privilige of being a flight attendant for QX the commuter airline in the NW USA. Aircraft today are so stinking strong and well built that there is virtually no possibility of damage from turbulence; I think once that is understood, that knowledge will bring peace. The modern aircraft is as strong as a brick, and once you realize that, turbulence becomes more of an inconvenience or an issue of cabin safety, or even entertainment like a carnival ride. As an FA, your job is to provide safety to the passengers, and a primary way you can do that is by your attitude. I have been in mind numbing turbulence while hang gliding, so it is of little consequence to me. I remember one flight working a Dash-8 (37 Pax, single FA), I had just neared completion of the beverage service, which was complimentary red wine, when the Captain called and indicated that severe turbulence had been reported 10 minutes ahead by another flight, and that I should suspend, and collect the just distributed bevy service. I knew there would be grumbling as I announced regrettably that the Captain had announced imminent turbulence and unfortunately I would have to collect the unenjoyed drinks. I got my leakproof plastic bag and made my way to the back of the cabin collecting nearly full cups of red wine. When I got to the last aft two rows, the first jolts hit. I think everyone was glad at that time they were not wearing red wine. I collected from the last row and was literally forced to crawl back to my jumpseat at the front of the cabin, in between medium severe jolts. It was severe enough to knock you off your feet but not enough to make you airborne. I put the bag under my legs and immediately strapped in to my jumpseat. As I sat there facing aft toward the front row of passengers, I had a restrained grin on my face imagining the terror going through the minds of my passengers. I struck up a conversation with the front two rows explaining I was also a pilot, and this was pretty 'tame' turbulence in my experience. I also explained how strong this aircraft was and that this violent of turbulence was insignificant to the aircraft's strength(the turbulence was quite violent, but could have been much worse). This helped my passengers understand there was no danger, and that they should try to view it as 'fun'.
One person on the starboard side front row remarked to their row-mate out loud,
"Well, as long as he is smiling, I think we will be ok..". On disembarkment, many passengers on that flight thanked me for encouraging them and allaying their fears. I can tell you that I would not want to have been unsecured with a beverage cart during that experience, because it certainly would have been airborne. I am also glad that I had warning and that everyone was strapped in, including myself. I LOVE flying, and being a flight attendant, as Heather said, is one of the most challenging things I have done, as well as the most rewarding. I love serving people, meeting new people, and traveling. Every few hours you get to meet new and varied people. Not to mention the relationships you build with crews. And there are bad things too, but overall you will be glad you took this journey. Turbulence is one of the bad things, but it is manageable, so don't worry about it, because with the hundreds of hours you spend in the air, it will just seem like the inconvenience of a spilled drink.
Happy flying,
Christian
