Flight Attendants with Training Wheels--and a Walrus!

March 30, 2008 0 Comments A+ a-

Yesterday, we did one of our three "training" flights. While the rest of our class was flying on the "Guppy" (affectionate term for the narrowbody 737) two of my classmates and I were flying on the widebody 777--a seriously huge airplane! We flew from Chicago (ORD) to Washington Dulles (IAD). I worked in First--and was nervous--a feeling I don't get very often. None of it was hard--just new and different--plus, we haven't studied it yet. The Flight Attendants I worked with were terrific and it was over too quickly--we had fun!

On the return leg, we worked a 767--another seriously huge airplane--and I worked the Economy galley and set up the carts--then did the beverage service with another FA. We had fun as she whipped through the service. Me? I was like a granny because I had no clue where what cans were in the tray on the cart or exactly what beverages we carried--we have just not talked about in Stew School! So, for every three rows she served, I maxed out ONE row!! She was precious and funny and kind, so I really appreciate her! In fact, all the Flight Attendants I worked with were terrific, and made us feel so welcome!

Today, I am sitting in a hotel room--had to get off the Farm for a few hours! My roommates really are great young women--I adore them and thank the Roommate Assigning Goddess daily that she picked them for me--but, three of us in the room is a bit much for me, especially since we are literally together 24/7. It was nice here at the hotel with my king-sized bed and no phones vibrating with text messages at all hours of the night. I'm sure they appreciated not having (fill in my unlovable habit here) to deal with, too!

This afternoon, a couple of us are going to the mall, and then tomorrow we'll be back in the routine of computer learning tonight, and class early in the morning , and to sleep early in the evening. Tomorrow starts Week 3 for us...with only 32 days to go....

On the home front, my Dad is home from the hospital. My sister Donna has been keeping us posted on her blog--here is a particular "ditty" about Dad that she posted that I loved:

A nurse had come by to put a yellow band on his wrist because the hospital auditors would be coming by to check on things. A yellow band is put on patients over the age of 65 because they are considered a "fall risk." When the nurse told Dad he was a fall risk, he asked her seriously, "I am a walrus?"

That is STILL making me laugh!!

Quick update

March 26, 2008 1 Comments A+ a-

It's been a very long week--and it's only Wednesday! My Dad had quadruple bypass surgery yesterday--none of us was ready for that! And, it felt so weird--not being able to be there for him! My sister, Donna, is with him in San Antonio--as well as his girlfriend, and my cousin and his wife, who are both RNs. He is doing well, has been walking around today, and should be home in 4-7 days.

Things are great here at the farm! We had a quiz on Monday, and I passed with flying colors...and we have our training flights assigned for Saturday: I am flying from Chicago to Washington, DC on a 777, then come right back on a 767. Very cool!

They do have us buzzing from early in the morning until late at night. We have a full day of classroom, then written homework, and computer "e-learning" that has tobe accomplished most nights....we get very little free time. I am exhausted--and so are my 20-something roomies, too!

Time to toss my clothes in the dryer!

Playing on airplanes!

March 22, 2008 1 Comments A+ a-

We played on an Airbus A320 today...our first narrow body airplane. It was a "field trip" away from the Training Center to the hangar at the airport. It was a fun day. We also walked around, but didn't go aboard, a 747, 777, and a 767. (Took lots of pictures--that I can't post, because it would identify the carrier.)

This is in front of the wheels of a 747. Waaa-ay cool!

We are off tomorrow--and have about 4 hours of homework to do, as well as a run to the mall and grocery store. I guess we can sleep when we're dead!

Day 5 at the Charm Farm

March 22, 2008 1 Comments A+ a-

Anyone that's ever been through Flight Attendant Training probably says the same thing when faced with the prospect of going through it again: "no way, please don't make me..." I certainly never intended to go through training again, but, I have also never been through a week like this before in my life! And it's ALL good!

Our trainers are so very polished, professional, knowledgeable and fun. They have to train to so many different levels. Some of my classmates have been in the industry and some haven't, and some have only lived in the US for a year, and English is a second language for them. So, I am sure training is challenging for the trainers, too!

There are four people in the class who are not native English speakers--they are from China, Argentina, Tunisia, and Morrocco. All have lived in the US for awhile and understand our strange language very well. Throw in aircraft terminology, and all the abbreviations used in the airline business--well, my head is spinning and I have been in this business for a long time--I can't imagine how they are doing it! But, they are!

My roommates are terrific, which is such a blessing, since we are literally together 24/7. They are in their 20's....one is from San Bernadino, California and the other is from New Castle, Delaware. Our class has 36 people in it--and they gave us "schedule" numbers: 1-36. My number is 15 and my roommates' numbers are 14 and 18. So, when the class is divided into 1-9, 10-18, etc...we are together. When we eat at the cafeteria, we are together. When we do our homework in our rooms, we are together. When we sleep, we are together. This morning, they have gone to the computer lab to finish an assignment, and I have a little time to myself in our room. While I wish there was a way I could have done this training from home, I cannot complain one bit about being here.

It snowed a lot yesterday...about 7 inches here in Chicago! After class yesterday, we took our first real break and went across the street to Freddie's Bar. "Across the street" is really quite a hike when you know that we are on the far side of the "campus" and the bar is on the way other side of this huge place. Since only the roads were cleared, and not the sidewalks, we had to walk in the snow to get there, which was no fun...my jeans and shoes were soaked by the time we got there...and I wasn't going to do it again, so when it was time to leave, I called for a $5 cab ride to go back to the Training Center.

Today we are going to the airport and the company hangar to "play" on airplanes. We have been studying narrow bodies and will spend all afternoon out there. Also, this week we had our first fitting for our uniforms and had a uniform regulation class yeserday. Our accessories: shoes, jewelry, even our lanyards, must be plain and conservative. Not even one bit of decoration.

And to my family and friends that I haven't been able to talk to this week--please know it is because I can't. There are very clear rules about where a cell phone can be used here...a breezeway between classes, the cafeteria and the only other place is our room. My roommates talk on their cells over each other, and it's just not my thing.

My laundry is in the dryer...I have to go and get that put away. I'll update when I can...

Day One, Barbie Boot Camp

March 17, 2008 4 Comments A+ a-

I'm all checked into our training hotel/dorm--I have two roommates, and they are really very lovely. The Staff and Instructors really seem terrific -- it's a very positive atmosphere here, and I am very proud to be here. Of course, it is only Day One!!

And, I am so very glad I brought my memory foam mattress and my own pillows!

Saturday, Shelby and I did a quick tour of Chicago. We were down on Michigan Avenue--visiting my coveted Jimmy Choo purses...and scouring a vintage couture shop.










We were back in the car about the the Saint Patrick's Day Parade was finishing. They dye the Chicago River green every year, as you can see. (Not sure why, though...it is generally green-ish all year 'round!)
















Drove by Oprah's Place.....



And saw these way cute reminders that Spring is coming in someone's yard.


Saturday in Chicago

March 15, 2008 2 Comments A+ a-

I sent Norm home yesterday, so he could get some things done around the house this weekend. My girlfriend, Shelby is an AA Flight Attendant and we were yakkin' on the phone last night night, you know girl stuff: "I got this new make-up...." and "They have really cute designer jackets at a discount at...." and "I'm getting on a plane to come have dinner with you at my favorite Chicago restaurant, Johnny's." (What? That isn't normal girl talk?? It is if you're a Flight Attendant!)

So, Shel is on her way from Columbia, SC (CAE) and I'll be picking her up in about an hour. We're going to shop a little and hang out and have dinner at Johnny's.

It's going to be really great when we can meet in Paris!

Almost there!

March 13, 2008 4 Comments A+ a-

On the Indiana Turnpike....GPS says only 74 more miles to Chicago. Originally we were making this a two day trip....and not be in a hurry...and, we slept in today and didn't leave until 10:30.....and, with his pilot's eye for precision and speed...we are almost there. (I had to say THAT instead of something like he's haulin' ass out here!)

On the road...

March 13, 2008 1 Comments A+ a-

We are on the road, driving to Chicago. Norm has the radar detector hooked up and is driving like an old fighter pilot. We are in Hagerstown, MD-only 641 miles to go!

Beware! Kitty On Guard!

March 12, 2008 1 Comments A+ a-


Emmie sitting in the kitchen sink--just waiting for a lowly drop of water to fall from the faucet, so she can kick its' ass and never hurt the family she's stands guard over--us!
She just tickles me!

Sisters in London

March 11, 2008 0 Comments A+ a-

Our London trip was short, but fun! Donna flew out of Richmond (RIC) and I flew out of Washington Reagan (DCA) and we met in Chicago (ORD). I like the 9 a.m. departure out of ORD because you arrive in London (LHR) late at night--10:00 pm. By the time you go through Immigation and get to the hotel, you are tired and ready for bed. Then you wake up as usual the next morning. The times I have flown over and get in at 7 in the morning only to have to stay awake so not to waste a day, just sucks for me. I feel like doo-doo and I no likey!

(Donna said the original picture of her wasn't flattering, so I disguised her....)

Anyway, we got the last seats in First Class going over. We were very comfortable, for sure.

Arriving in London, we made our way to the Heathrow Express, then from Paddington Station to the Marble Arch on the Tube. (Remember when you pack for Europe, most of the subway staions do not have elevators--so, what you pack, you may have to carry up several flights of stairs!) From the Marble Arch station, we walked two blocks to our hotel, the Victory Services Club, right smack dab in the middle of Central London. As our London friend says when choosing a hotel there, it's "location, location, location."


The VSC is not fancy at all--it is simple, basic, clean and safe. It is a club for the British military and her Allied Forces (the U.S. being one of those.) So, Norm's Air Force service makes us eligible to be members. The rooms are spartan and the price was right. There are many older gentlemen who served the Queen in the military in years gone by--the discussions get quite spirited amongst them, but they always seem to finish by saying "God save the Queen!" Love that!



Donna left her coat in her car when she got to the airport, so we wanted to get a coat for her--and went looking for a department store. We were mostly looking for a Marks and Spencer (like Kohl's) but, in our travels, Donna found a leather shop selling coats. She found very cool, very London coat, negotiated the hell outta the price, and came out with a bargain that looks smashing on her, don't you think?

I think Donna found her "soul city" in London...she is a very stylish, very fashionable woman, who puts a lot of effort and money into her clothes--and it shows. The thing she seemed to notice the most there was how stylishly dressed everyone was--she loved that even the men dressed fashionably and she commented on it quite a bit. She was at home there and that was terrific!

On our first day, we did the "hop on hop off" tour bus and had a nice overview of the city and her sights. We had lunch at a Marks and Spencer Food Hall--and loved the fresh, healthy choices that were there. (If anyone knows anyone who works in a grocery store management position, please tell them we need the M&S Food Hall in the US, please!!)



We walked our high heels off in the short two days we were there--Regent Street, Oxford Street, Picadilly Circus--our dogs were barkin'!! That was just the first day!!


Another word about the Tube stations....some of them have very long and steep escalators. They made Donna nervous. This may look like I am taking this picture as we are going up the escalator--it is actually Donna going down the escalator. She couldn't bring herself to look up or down!! This is the way she rode on every escalator! (Bless her heart!)



We spotted this photographer taking pictures of this model off of Oxford Street.

Day Two found us at Harrod's--to see the gaudy and tacky Diana and Dodi Memorial.

If you haven't seen it, it is a champagne glass with some dried up crap in the bottom of the glass sealed in that black triangle, along with the ring that Dodo, I mean Dodi, bought for Diana. It is gaudy and ugly as is this "memorial."

Creeps me out.

My favorite thing at Harrod's is the Food Hall. (I'm noticing a theme here....) Anything you want, you can get there. And, the newest import from America there is: Krispy Kreme. We saw two--one in Harrod's and one in the airport. I asked a lady if she had ever tried one, and she said no...and I had to warn her that if she ate a hot one, she would forever be addicted!





We stopped for a cup of coffee--once again, to give our aching feet a break!



After Harrod's we went to Leicester Square to see what half-priced theater tickets were left--and there was nothing that we wanted to see--we figured it would be hard to get tickets to "Wicked", but, I didn't think "Mamma Mia" would be so hard...but, it was...so no show, but the flowers were blooming and were beautiful.


Then we headed over to Covent Garden--checked out the trash and treasures they had for sale there, and stopped at a place called Belushi's to grab a drink and, again, let our feet have a break!

After that, I had to go and change one of our British cell phones over from a company called "O2" to a Virgin phone (now called "zavvi"). I won't bore you with the details, but this project should have taken all of 20 minutes. It took almost three hours, and was full of frustration, anger, and a few tears. Not with the Virgin people, but with the O2 people. And, let me tell you this: the O2 staff repeatedly lie and cheat in order to prevent you from changing phones from them to another company. Stay away from O2!

Next morning, we were up early and out the door from the VSC at 7:20 for a 10:15 departure. You would think that would be plenty of time--and you would be correct--IF the Tube to LHR was running. But, nooooooo! We waited and waited and waited for the train to LHR, and finally decided to try another tact, and then an announcement was made that we had to take another train to Paddington Station to take the Heathrow Express to LHR. So, changing trains, draggin bags, climbing stairs--it all ate up our extra time. (time we had planned on eating breakfast with and shopping at the airport!) We arrived at Security around 9:15.

Then we lost another 15 minutes because I was a bad passenger! I forgot about the sauces I purchased (curries and hot, spicy sauces) and of course, they had to take 'em. Then the Security dude didn't appreciate my sense of humor and got a little ugly with me. Then, I got a little sassy with him...so, he gave me the big once over....thankfully, Donna kept me relatively calm and made me stop being so sassy. Oh, one more thing about Security there...in the US, it is okay to bring small scissors, tweezers, and cuticle nippers. Not in the UK. We both had to give them up!

When we got through Security, we went straight to the plane, as they were already boarding. Let me assure you that American Airlines pays the least amount of money it can, so it has the gates that are the furthest possible away! We broke a sweat getting there! And, we were the last to board the aircraft, and they closed the doors within minutes of us arriving there.

After the aircraft door was closed, one of the Flight Attendants found a cell phone in the lav (restroom) and made a couple of announcements to locate the owner. No one claimed it, and the aircraft returned to the gate, delaying our departure by about an hour. I think someone did eventually claim it, but, we were already heading back to the gate.

We DID get First Class, so that was nice. Since we did not have anything to eat, we were starving as they served lunch--and there was a very, very nice white wine that I enjoyed--while Donna was living on the wild side with her Bailey's and coffee. The lush!



















Once we arrived in Chicago (ORD) we had to go fast to make up the time lost when we went back to the gate--and had 45 minutes to change terminals and re-enter security...Donna got the last seat on the flight to RIC--and I was unable to get home because of the weather on the East Coast. I tried for two flights, then just got a hotel room.

Once in my room, I curled up onto the Heavenly Bed and was asleep in no time at all. Took the 0635 departure the next morning and got home at 0930. It was sorta sad, because I knew it was the last time I would be non-revving with my Company. The important thing, however, is that I got to sit in First Class!

March 05, 2008 0 Comments A+ a-

Donna and I just boarded for London.

Casey can't go to London!

March 04, 2008 0 Comments A+ a-

I'm bummed! Casey, who is 20, just took a look at her passport, and we realized that it expired in December, 2007. We (okay, I) thought it was good for 10 years. We found out that it is only good for 5 years if you get it when you are under 16. So, she can't come to London with us. (pout)

Donna and I are still going--we'll have a great time, but it won't be the same without Casey. London is, afterall, Casey's city.


<------Miss Thang with a Yeoman Warder at the Tower of London, in 2003.

Katie's blog debut!

March 01, 2008 0 Comments A+ a-

I don't think I've posted any pictures of Miss Katie--my beloved cat since 1999. Katie is the elegant older sister of the bunch here at Casa de los Quatro Gatos. She sits by patiently as we adore the little kitties' antics. She is usually last to get brushed. She quietly ignores Spikey's sour attitude. She is the perfect kitty. She does have one vice--the fireplace. She will sit there all day long, ignoring hunger and thirst, so she can absorb every ounce of warmth emanating from the gas logs. Our sweet and innocent Katie. Or, maybe not....take a close look at her recent centerfold photos for Playcat magazine......the hussy!!