In the Land of Boeing....
A quick update--I went to San Antonio for a couple of days to see my Dad--he looks great! We did the usual favorites and I was sorry it was for such a short time. This picture is of the San Antonio Riverwalk--which is a lot of fun. But, waaa-ay too hot for me to want to be down there this time of the year. (Maybe in January!!)
Today, the Crew Desk called and gave me a trip. One leg to Seattle, layover, then deadhead back to Washington in the morning.
We had a little excitement prior to leaving the gate-a lady was very light headed and appeared to be going in and out of consciousness. The Captain called for paramedics, and we were able to get her some help. We left without her or her husband. I sure hope she is feeling better!
So, our poor passengers were on a packed Airbus 319. Not a bad plane, but very tight for a 5.5 hour flight. Add to that the lady that was ill--about 30 minutes--and weather/rerouting delays while still on the ground in Washington--probably another 30 minutes--we were on the plane for a long, long time! I was glad to get to Seattle! And, of course, there is a freakin' heat wave going on here--it was 91 degrees earlier today in Seattle!
A quick shout out to one of my passengers today--he is affiliated with TMZ and was checking out MY blog once we landed!
The Anatomy of a Delay
I arrived home from Boston on Sunday night and took a look at the Reserve list. This is a list of who is to fly that particular day, and in what order they are called out. That's a simple way to put it because there are legalities involved (both the FAA and our union contract) but it gives you a pretty good idea of the next day and where you stand.I saw that my name was on the very last page of six pages of Reserves--I had a ton of hours for the month of June and got in late that night and was only good for one day. There is no way they are going to fly me the next day, right?
Au contraire, mon ami!
I shoulda known--the moment I start thinking that way is the moment I'm screwed.
I was called to fly to Chicago (ORD) and back. No big deal. In fact, the time it takes me to get from my house, to the airport and through security and over to the domicile takes longer than the flight to ORD. And, my first leg was a deadhead - being repositioned by the company and riding as a passenger. For the start of my little 6 hour workday, I had myself a lovely little nap on my way to ORD. Grabbed a salad at McDonald's and headed for my gate for the return to Washington (IAD).
The plane, a Boeing 767, had arrived from Paris (CDG) and was over at the International terminal. From there it had to be cleaned and checked out, before being brought over to the Domestic Terminal. Whether it was late in arriving from CDG, or late because of procedures once it arrived, I don't know. I do know know that our departure back to IAD was delayed more than an hour....and there was (insert gloomy sound here) weather developing on the East Coast.
We boarded and got everyone settled in--only to have an Air Traffic Control (ATC) delay. When there is a lot of traffic heading in a particular direction, and thunderstorms are developing, it slows the air traffic down. Controllers have to increase the spacing between each of the flights for safety--and planes are not allowed to take off when originally planned. The controllers sequence them in and that slows up the arrivals and departures. We were given a wheels up time of about 40 minutes--which became an hour....and then, a ground stop was issued in Washington. A ground stop keeps any aircraft from taking off for that particular destination on the ground--as opposed to holding in the air/diverting/wasting fuel, etc because of the traffic density and weather issues.
I was working in Business and for the most part, people were cool--they knew the drill and knew it was not our fault. And, we kept them as comfortable as we could. (Did I say likkered up????)
Once we got airborne, we had to fly around the weather. Norm was tracking my flight and later told me that we flew way South instead of mostly to the East. We also circled and had to hold because of the amount of lightning and thunderstorms over the airport--the flight tracker showed that we circled for about 30 minutes at 4000 feet. Plus it was very bumpy, and we were in our jumpseats for a long time.
Finally cleared to land, we were told that the ramp was closed. The ramp (aka tarmac, apron--the area outside of the terminal, where the planes are) was closed because the storm was right there over the airport, and employees are not allowed to be marshalling airplanes in, unloading bags, moving jet bridges, etc. with all that lightning--too dangerous. So, we sat out on the ramp for another 30 minutes!
We arrived at the gate around 10:15 p.m. Our original arrival time was 6:41 p.m. - three and a half hours late.
I think everyone people made their connections, though. The only connections on our flight were to Sao Paulo (GRU), Kuwait City (KWI), and Buenos Aires (EZE). Those flights were listed on the departure board when I got inside the terminal as delayed--and the plane we brought in was the one going to GRU. So, I'm fairly confident that they made their flights.
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On the homefront--I have a few days off. I am going to try to non-rev down to San Antonio to see my Dad tomorrow. And in perfect "Savage" style, will leave the next morning--never staying long enough to wear out a welcome! Okay, my Dad thinks I am coming to see him. I'm really coming for the lunch at the Thai Cafe! (Just kidding, Dad!)
A change of plans...
We got in to Boston late last night from LA--a little after midnight. That is one long flight for passengers to be sitting on a full 757 for 6 hours!It was a busy flight with some really nice people. There was a family traveling--their little girl's name was Sasha and she played shy at first, but came out of her shell in the galley with me a little later. Sasha is 3 years old and made a big announcement "I fwom China!" (She's adopted.) She went on to tell me all about her Chinese dress: "it's wed wif legs." Her Dad explained that she means "red with pants." And she informed me that I had to come to her "birfday pawty" at Chuck E. Cheese. She was just precious!
There was also a New Zealander who was coming to the States to go sailing for five weeks. I am envious!!
We got checked into the hotel and I was wide awake, so I stayed up for a couple of hours winding down. Slept in this morning, woke up to a decent cup of coffee in my in-room coffee maker. (I am in denial about how clean the coffee makers are in the hotel rooms. Don't tell me. I don't want to know. I am covering my ears. lalalalalalalalalala--I can't hear you...)
A quick shower to wash off last night's airplane funk, and I went off in search of lunch. There is a strip shopping center next door to the hotel and I picked up a few things at the drug store. Decided to highlight my hair (I am also in denial about how much better it looks when a professional does it for me....) and brought lunch up to my room from the hotel restaurant. Soup and a half sandwich at 50% off with airline discount = a great $4 lunch!
So I was putzing around getting ready--I have all kinds of time today--we don't leave for the airport until 4:45 p.m. Highlighted my hair, enjoyed an extra long shower, took my time getting my make-up on and drying my hair.....leisurely is the pace I was operating at--which also happens to be my best!
I was just getting ready to put on my uniform, when my cell phone rang. It was the Crew Desk. (insert horror music here) They are only calling for one of two things: our departure is delayed/cancelled or they are changing my trip.
Changing my trip it is. Instead of flying to San Francisco, I'll be flying back to Washington. They had to re-crew the Boston-Washington flight and I don't leave the hotel until 7:30 tonight.
Bad thing is: I lose 10 hours of flying. Good thing is: I will be home tonight!
Where's my tiara?
I'm in the middle of a trip...Yesterday:
Washington-Denver
Denver-San Francisco ( a dead head)
Today:
San Francisco-Los Angeles
Los Angeles-Boston
(I am exhausted! waaa-aahh!)
Tomorrow:
Boston-San Francisco
Monday:
San Francisco-Washington
Norm was right! I am becoming the Queen of Trans-Cons!
Summertime, and it's gonna get ugly!
My favorite online columnist, Scott McCartney, wrote an article for the Wall Street Journal this week about airlines charging for checked bags. The plan for some of the airlines is to charge $30 round-trip for the first checked bag, and an additional $50 for the second one.The airlines, McCartney says, "are also getting ready to strictly enforce limits on carry-on baggage -- which are commonly flouted -- in hopes of minimizing delays and disruption as flights board. Battles with customers likely will ensue, and fliers will be peppered with baggage-rule announcements, adding more aggravation to the already trying travel experience."
Let's review just who will be strictly enforcing, having battles, and peppering fliers with baggage rule announcements: me.
Okay, not just me...but flight attendants in general. It is already tough getting enough space in the overhead bins. I cannot imagine what the summer travel season will bring.
With these new fees in place, I think the airlines should have a big and strong bouncer-type guy standing outside the airplane on the jetbridge, being the baggage enforcer. Someone who would be effective. Someone every passenger would listen to, no questions asked. Someone who could encourage (wink, wink)
I know just the guy:
Chillaxin'.....
....Emmie style!
She's taking a nap on the couch cushion next to me as I surf the 'net.
No sinning accomplished in Sin City....
Slot machines at the Las Vegas airport.A huge weather system slowed down our departure from Las Vegas yesterday...our pilots received several re-routes because of this line of weather. It extended from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico...and there was a "hole" in it over Louisiana. So, our original plan was to fly down south to go through the "hole" in the weather, instead of due east to Washington. This was going to add significant flight time, because of the increased distance, and Air Traffic Control (ATC) had to sequence in all the traffic that was doing the same thing. Fortunately, as we progressed, the system developed other "holes" so we didn't have to go as far south and we were in Washington sooner rather than later. Which was around 11 p.m. last night. Two hours late. Ugh!
Just prior to take-off, the Captain announced that we were using an unusual departure runway--and that we would take-off right over the Vegas strip. As we would fly over all the casinos, he told our passengers that it was an opportunity to say "good-bye" to their money one last time! Shortly afterward, we flew over the Grand Canyon, and everyone got a great view--it is gorgeous and....well, GRAND!
This trip I was flying as the "extra stew" and was on my own in Las Vegas. Probably a good thing, because, while I wanted to go out and play, I was too tired to do much of anything. I had a bite to eat, then walked over to the Riviera. Played a couple of the slot machines...and came out ahead $16.
I am on Reserve today, but it doesn't look like I am going to get called. (Can I get an "Amen"?)
Norm and I are going to dinner tonight and just have some us time. And sleep in tomorrow. Amen!
It's only supposed to be a 59 minute flight!
So, I reported for my standby stint and was in the domicile for about an hour last night, when the Coordinator called and gave me a trip. I was to fly to Boston for the night. Simple enough, right?As my favorite brother-in-law, Dan says, "Oh, hell no!"
First, the aircraft was late in arriving, but only by a few minutes. The pilots were late in arriving, by about 30 minutes. When they arrived, we were already boarded, with a light load of about 60 passengers. The pilots have to do their safety checks--some people think they just need to put the key in the ignition and back out of the driveway like we do in our cars--but, it's not like that at all! So, delayed a little bit more for that.
While we were waiting to get going, one man and his wife were acting strangely. While walking to the bathroom, the husband literally banged into me while I was standing still talking to one of our customers--hit me hard with his body against my back and side, and never said "excuse me" or "I'm sorry." He went back to his seat--and I just chalked it up to poor manners. Two or three minutes later, he came back, and banged into me again! Again, no acknowledgement or apology was offered. While he was in the restroom the second time, he was singing! After he returned to his seat, I saw him holding his arms across his belly, and rocking back and forth, very vigorously. I felt his behavior was odd, and decided to tell our Purser--you know, just in case.
We taxied out, and got into a long line of airplanes, waiting to take off. A big storm had rolled through the area, and that had the arrivals and departures delayed. (When I spoke to Norm, prior to boarding the aircraft, he mentioned the possibility of hail and high winds where we live.) Another line of weather was delaying our departure into Boston--they had shut down the air corridor for the time being. Some of our passengers had already been previously inconvenienced--their flight, that was supposed to have departed 4 hours earlier--had cancelled. And now, long waits for weather. No fun!
The Captain turned off the engines (to save fuel) while we waited out the weather. The Flight Attendants were able to get up out of our jumpseats and tend to our passengers, as best we could. Mary and I walked through the cabin offering water, and answering questions as best we could. Suffice it to say, when I got to their row and asked them if they would like a glass of water, the aforementioned man and his wife were angry and belligerent and used a lot of profanity.
The Purser, bless her heart, was having none of this. She called the Captain and reported the behaviors we had seen and heard, and the Captain returned to the gate to have the couple removed. That was a non-event, but I was relieved we weren't having to deal with them anymore.
Since nothing associated with airplanes or airports happens quickly, we were at the gate for about an hour, before getting back in line for our trip to Boston. Originally scheduled to arrive at 11:20 p.m.....it was 1:30 in the morning when we got here. Another hour to get out of the airport and to the hotel...and that all made for a long night!
The Crew Desk decided to keep me here in Boston for the day. That would be great if I was downtown, but, I am not close to anything! The airport is 40 minutes away, and there isn't much around here....
Tomorrow, I fly to San Francisco, then to Vegas, baby! Twenty hours there, then one leg home. Get in around 9 p.m Friday night.....maybe will have Saturday off??? Hopefully, Lady Luck will be on my side!
Anticipation is the greatest spice...
It is Day One of my five Reserve days....and it is a day where I am waiting around to be called in to work. I was watching the list of trips, trying to figure out which one I would get...San Diego? Maybe Sao Paulo? Or, Kuwait City? Will I be packing for perfect weather, almost winter cold or blazing hot desert? The anticipation was palpable!The Crew Desk finally called...and my reserve assignment today is:
(drum roll, please)
Airport Standby from 8 p.m. to midnight!! That's right! I will be at the airport just in case someone doesn't come to work tonight. Excitin', ain't it??
Admit it. You're jealous. Uh-huh. I know.
Shannon and Bobbie
My friend Linda's daughter, Shannon and her dog, Bobbie. Linda says "they sleep together like an old married couple!"
Happy Birthday, Donna!
Happy birthday to my sissy, Donna!Okay, I'm a day late with the well wishes, so I decided to have a little birthday party for you, right here on the Internet....first, we need a birthday cake and candles--mmmmm, chocolate!
Then we need birthday cards to read and be surrounded by people we love:
Then, keeping with family tradition: in the birthday card from Dad, you get a dollar!!
Happy Birthday, Sissy!
*This internet birthday party provided courtesy of 1993!
Celebs Onboard
Home for my last of six days in a row on Reserve, and it is after 5 p.m....I don't think I am going to get called to work today!! Worked a flight from LAX to Chicago yesterday, then another back to Washington.
On the LA flight, I worked the aisle in First Class--and there were a couple of celebs onboard, Michelle Monaghan (and I still don't know who she is--I can't recall her in anything she's done.)
Also onboard was Bill Rancic, who was the first winner of Donald Trump's TV show, The Apprentice.Both were very pleasant and kept to themselves.
Okay, okay--I realize you are dying to know the juicy details. I'll tell you, but you have to promise to keep it to yourself, okay? Okay. Here ya go:
She drank tomato juice and he had water--and they both had the fruit plate for breakfast!
You can't get this kinda gossip on Perez Hilton!!
On the road again...
I'm off to Los Angeles this afternoon--a 15 hour layover at the airport, then a deadhead back (which will probably change.) Norm said I was becoming the "Queen of the Trans-con!"An Advil Breakfast
Yes, it is 12:40 p.m. and I am just having my second cup of coffee. Whatever....I received a phone call at 1:30 in the morning while at my layover in San Francisco--my schedule was changed. Instead of flying back to Washington, I was going to fly to New York's JFK, then deadhead back to Washington. This was kinda cool because we offer a premium service on this flight--the airplane is a 757 and the interior is really pretty (as airplanes go!!)
I worked in Business with a super guy named Keith working the Business Galley--it was only his second time doing this service and his first in the galley. It was my first time working the Business aisle and we did just fine--even received a "thank-you" certificate from a really nice passenger. There were 26 passengers up there--and they kept me busy for the whole flight!! But, being busy makes the time pass faster, for sure!
We arrived at JFK around 5:30 p.m. and our deadheading flight to Washington was delayed on the inbound. Once it was there and we boarded, there was weather in Washington, forcing us to sit on the ramp until the storms passed. Then, we had to wait in line with all the departing international traffic--sort of an airport rush hour--before we could leave. It was after 10 when we landed in Washington. Then, it takes and hour and half to get from the gate, to the employee parking lot, and to my house. Therefore, I slept in. Waa-ay in!
And, my old body is whipped! When I finally drug myself out of bed, I popped a couple of Advil. I sure hope they kick in soon..my feet ache! (I know, waaaaaaa-ah.....!
While I was signing in at the layover hotel in San Francisco, I saw the name of one of my classmates from training, who was also signed in at the hotel. I gave Vin a call, and we met downstairs and he introduced me to Marty and Terry, two of his flying partners. Vin is from Vietnam, and he and his crew had been planning on a dinner at a Vietnamese restaurant and invited me to join them.
We went to a great little place, and Vin had the opportunity to use his native language and he ordered up several dishes for us to try--I thought I had died and gone to heaven! My very favorite was the grilled beef with rice paper. The waiter brought a plate of hard white disks, and a big bowl of warm water. You take the disk (the rice paper) and dip it into the warm water to soften it and make it pliable, then place it on your plate...sort of like a tortilla. Then you load it up with veggies--cucumbers, cilantro, carrots, basil, bean sprouts--then top it with a little of the very thinly sliced grilled beef. Roll it up like a burrito, dip it in the sauce--which has a fish sauce base--and bite. It was delicious and I can't wait to drag Norm to a Vietnamese restaurant to have it again!
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A little later....
A huge line of thunderstorms just rolled through our area--there was ferocious wind and lots of lightening, but it was quick, and we didn't lose power.
I haven't been called to work today--which is good, because my Advil breakfast just hasn't been effective today! The tower at Washington Dulles was evacuated this afternoon when the storms rolled in. I am sure the airport is just a mess with cancellations, crew misconnects and stranded passengers. My classmate from training, Stephanie, just texted me...she has been assigned a Kuwait City trip tonight...her last trip was Beijing. I am looking forward to hearing about her adventures when she gets back! I can tell her all about my Des Moines layover! ;)
Hi Ho Hi Ho, It's Back to Work I Go!
With slug-like qualities, I enjoyed my one day off and now, I'm on reserve for the next six days...got a call at five this morning from the Crew Desk with a two day trip--one leg to San Francisco (SFO), layover at an airport hotel, and one leg back. I am flying with one of my classmates, too.
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