Emmie's View from 8 Feet*

June 27, 2009 3 Comments A+ a-

Psssst! Hi! It's me, Emmie. My Mom's been kinda busy, so I thought I'd help her out a bit. You see, I sit up here on top of the bookcase and can see everything that goes on around here. I also scratched my way into her tote bag and grabbed her camera--let's see what she's been up to.





She had a couple days off last week and made some delicious Vietnamese Summer Shrimp Rolls.



She must have been very, very happy with the spring rolls after she ate them, because she scratched behind my ears for an extra long time! Mee-ow!

A couple days later, we went to bed early because she was pretty high up on the Reserve List. I was all curled up next to her belly, when she got The Call, from The Voice at 11:30 that night. She had to be at work at 5 in the morning. I did not like that because I love to make biscuits on her belly--it is very warm and makes me sleepy.

She was pretty happy with the trip--one leg to Denver (DEN), no sit time, then a leg to Orange County (SNA) and done at 10:20 in the morning. And, she flew with a couple of great Flight Attendants, which she says makes the trip so much more fun! With a 20 hour layover in SNA, there was plenty of time for Mom to relax and enjoy and get a great night's sleep.

Of course Mom, in her infinite weirdness, had to use Sara's "Remote Condom" idea over at The Flying Pinto.




Mom and Natalie, one of the Flight Attendants she was flying with, walked to the The Block at Orange, which is near their layover hotel. They had lunch at Johnny Rockets and walked around the outdoor mall for awhile. The weather was fantastic: clear, warm, and not humid!



While they were at the Block at Orange, they saw this tee-shirt design. As a friend of Hello, Kitty, I did not think this was funny.

Back to the hotel, where they agreed to meet a few hours later for a bite to eat and an adult beverage, Mom took a nap. She woke up when Casey texted her to tell her Michael Jackson died. Shocking! While he led a less than desirable life (in my humble opinion), there is no debating his impact on the world of entertainment. Mom told about her former roommate, Jilda--how they blasted the speakers listening to the "Thriller" album back in the olden days...

Natalie and Mom had dinner here at the hotel, sitting outside in this lovely little slice of paradise right off Interstate 5.



Early the next morning, they all flew from SNA to San Francisco (SFO). They were absolutely thrilled to finally have a flight that wasn't "packed to the gills"--even if it was only an hour flight



The view out of Mom's window at her jumpseat, just before landing in SFO.

With just enough time to grab a bite to eat , they worked the flight back to Washington. It was a full Airbus A320, and a "catering test flight." It was interesting to Mom to see some of the new menu items her Company was trying out. She worked the "BOB" (Buy Onboard) cart and felt like a cashier at a busy 7-11 store!

Now she's home for a few days, and the Most Amazing Child on the Planet is coming to visit tonight for a couple of days. That's okay--I like him--he's a good "behind the ear scratcher", too!

*Thanks to Sheila for the good title!

My View 1 year ago: In the land of Boeing

Blondie

Back to Tampa

June 20, 2009 1 Comments A+ a-

I've flown worse trips, but yesterday was a memorable one--and not in a good way! Memorable in that it was a long day that just seemed to drag on ad nauseum...

The Crew Desk called me at 3:45 in the morning--to be at the airport at 7:15. Not much sense in going back to sleep for another half an hour, so I got up and started my day. A one day trip-Washington-Tampa-Chicago-Washington. Easy peasy, right?

We took a full load of 156 people down to Tampa, FL (TPA) and boarded another 156 to go to Chicago (ORD). After we got everyone settled onboard, and before the door was closed, our Captain tells us that because of the severe weather in Chicago, we were on a ground stop for at least 1.5 hours. After the ground stop is lifted, he says, Air Traffic Control (ATC) will give us our wheels up* time.

A ground stop basically prevents all planes heading to a particular airport from taking off. It delays their departure so as to avoid a bunch of air traffic trying to land at an airport in adverse conditions. It applies to almost all aircraft bound for that airport. It eliminates the hours of "circling" and needlessly burning the fuel. It prevents planes diverting to other cities in need of fuel or if the weather further deteriorates. It eliminates the added risk of a traffic jam in the sky, and is definitely safer than being in an overcrowded, saturated air space. While it is no fun to wait out a ground stop, it certainly is a safer, better alternative.

The Gate Agent came onboard and made an announcement to have everyone deplane and wait it out in the Terminal. Several people wanted to stay onboard. Trust me when I tell you that you are truly more comfortable in the gate area--where food and beverages are readily available. And bigger bathrooms. And fresh air. And magazines and television. And more space to walk. Oh, and the Gate Agent can help you with connection issues. Flight Attendants don't know and don't have access to any of the information you want and the Gate Agents can.

Plus, if you stay on the plane, it means I can't get off the plane.

The FAA has defined the minimum staffing for a plane to be one Flight Attendant for every 50 seats. Not every 50 passengers--it's every 50 seats. So, if one person had stayed on our 156 seat airplane, all four of the Flight Attendants would be required to stay onboard the entire time
We were scheduled to do a three hour sit when we arrived in ORD and all of us had planned to have lunch at that time. The ground stop was now eating into our scheduled meal break.

Mama doesn't do well when she doesn't have food, oka-ay? So, off the plane you go...

We headed for the Food Court to grab a bite to eat, and brought it back to the plane. We all spread out in the airplane--for personal space, which we have so very little of when we are working--turned off all the lights onboard, and played one of the movies. The First Officer and Purser watched "Confessions of a Shopaholic."

I didn't watch the movie. After my turkey sandwich, I pulled a jacket out of my suitcase and made it into a pillow, lifted up the armrests in a row of seats and enjoyed a quick nap.

After two hours, it was 2pm and our Captain was given our wheels up time. We reboarded everyone on the plane. Most of the people were in a great mood (well, except for the lady in 1B). We got everyone settled again, and taxied out. Then, our Captain made an announcement....the ground stop was again in effect. First, it started out as a 30 minute stop--then it grew and grew to about three hours. Our two hour flight to ORD eventually turned into a five-and-a-half hour flight. (See why you wanted to get off the plane and get some food?)

While we were on the ground waiting, we did a beverage service. It's pretty unusual to see carts out in the aisle when a plane is on the ground--and given the tentative nature of a ground stop, we had to have to have the Captain's permission to do so, which he gladly gave.

We are only catered with enough to do one beverage service, and most of our ice had melted--so, it was paltry pickins for sodas. We did our very best, did it with humor and a smile, and for the most part, everyone was really pleasant and understanding.

Jumpseat Confession

One thing that really bugs most Flight Attendants is passengers who try to get something free with a heavy hint. Yesterday I heard this (or something similar) many times:

"Well since you are making me miss my connection, how 'bout a free drink?"

"Wow, today is really aggravating--what are you going to do about it? Free drink?"

"You're making me miss (fill in the most important event in the passenger's life to date). Do I get a free drink?"

No, no and NO!

Seems to me that the severe weather that moved across the O'Hare airport and surrounding vicinity was GOD's fault--not mine, and not my airlines! And, my airline has very specific rules as to when we can comp a drink and when we can't. Weather is not under the airlines' control, so my airline doesn't comp.

And, this Flight Attendant specifically doesn't when you ask me for it.

Have your credit card out, and be nice with a smile, and I just might work something out for ya...but, seriously--don't ask for free drinks.


We actually departed around 5 p.m. EDT and arrived in ORD around 7 p.m. CDT Time, our passengers having been onboard, the second time for nearly six hours. And, the Chicago airport was a complete zoo when we were walking through. If you were one of those stuck in that mess yesterday, I was feelin' your pain for ya. It was crazy!

Our workday was a thirteen hour day--we were exhausted. Our total flying time was just under eight hours--we were not legal to fly any more for that day. My one-day trip was now a two-day trip, into my day off.

We checked into our airport hotel, and I went to the bar to order a sandwich to go. Back up in my room, I scarfed the sandwich down in record time. A quick shower and I was in bed asleep.

Early this morning, the company deadheaded us back to Washington. People told us that they slept in the airport last night--there were no rooms available anywhere near the airport. The airport folks pulled out cots for people to sleep on and passed out little toiletry kits.

It was definitely a long day for us--but, it was an even longer a day for passengers--especially those that had to sleep in a cot in the airport!


*wheels up = take-off time

This post reminds me of the old joke:

What's the difference between a Flight Attendant and a jet engine?

When you arrive at the gate, the jet engine stops whining....


Blondie


In sunny Florida--and hating it!

June 17, 2009 3 Comments A+ a-

Could there possibly be a worse trip than the one I got? The Voice called around 1 a.m. to tell me I was going to Tampa, FL. Normally, I think I would have looked forward to being poolside amidst the palm trees with a Pina Colada....

Oh, hell no....

A 7:45 a.m. sign in, to deadhead (ride as a passenger) to Tampa--only to sit at the airport for three hours and 14 minutes, then work the flight back to Washington, arriving just in time to join the hordes of citizens fighting the Beltway traffic to go home.

My day's worth of per diem pay is $13.12. I just spent $12.52 for a turkey sandwich and Diet Coke.

Only two more hours to go....


Blondie

The Perfect Boyfriend

June 13, 2009 5 Comments A+ a-

Norm and have decided to get married in October. Won't be a big "to-do"--we'll probably get married at the courthouse and then take a trip together. He says Lisbon, Portugal--I think I want to go sailing for a few days. We'll figure it out...

In the meantime, I have this....doll that I have had for years. I'm sure I bought it in an airport somewhere. It's the Perfect Boyfriend. I've asked Norm to practice with it (he'll have none of this nonsense, thank you!) The Perfect Boyfriend says all the right things at just the right time, all I have to do is push his tummy in...here, take a listen. I put him up on the fireplace mantle and made a lil' video:
Truth is, to tell me goodbye this morning, the real Perfect Boyfriend scooped me into his arms as I was lying in bed and told me he hoped I would be home and not flying when he got home tonight.

Maybe the doll could go on eBay?
Blondie

My favorite 19 year old!

June 11, 2009 1 Comments A+ a-

Chillin' with my son today. Burgers on the grill, corn on the cob...and hanging with a pretty cool young man. What a great way to spend my day!




Chase with his first girlfriend, Danielle.



















Chase and me at a wedding.














Snowboarding in West Virginia.

















Last year's senior picture.












I ♥ my Chase!

My View 1 year ago: Anticipation Is The Greatest Spice!

Blondie


D and FW tonight

June 08, 2009 0 Comments A+ a-

In Dallas/Fort Worth tonight...this is the airport view from my window. It was 40-something degrees in Billings this morning. It was 96 degrees here in DFW today! What a big difference! Tomorrow to Boston via Denver, layover, then a flight home to Washington. Hopefully, the Crew Desk will leave me alone after that!

In Denver

June 07, 2009 1 Comments A+ a-

Our plane waiting on the ramp for the lightning to leave so it can park. Blue skies in the background...First Officer says that pretty sky should be here in about ten minutes. Feeling hopeful!

On a ground stop here

June 07, 2009 1 Comments A+ a-

On a ground stop here in Denver-it's hailing...waiting to go to Billings, MT for the layover. Boo, hiss. Rain, rain go away...

Welcome back!

June 06, 2009 5 Comments A+ a-

G'mornin', ya'll!

It's about 5:25 a.m. and I am back at work, sitting in our Crew Lounge. There are only a couple of people here this early, and they are in more comfy chairs, napping. I have to be vewwy, vewwy quiet right now...soundboard.com

Because I did not attend my annual Recurrent training while I was on my Leave of Absence, I had to pass 3 days of "re-quals" in Chicago (ORD) this week. I had to requalify and demonstrate that I can at least fulfill the FAA requirements for my job.

Some of the things we did include CPR (Cardio-Pulmonary Resucitation) and AED (Automatic External Defibrillator), all of the doors for all of our airplanes--Airbus 319/320, and Boeing's 737, 747, 757, 767 and 777. We had a strong Security section (if I told ya about that, I'd have to kill ya!) did timed door drills with lots of Evacuation scenarios. We spent more time then ever on Ditching procedures--there was a real emphasis on this. I wonder if the US Airways incident into the Hudson River had anything to do with that--or had it already been planned? In any event, I am fully prepared to launch the Life Raft, and use the Survival Skills and Techniques we learned this week.

Oh, just so you know...the book in the Survival Kit, written long ago by the US Air Force, offers this tip: Do not touch the native women. (Ummmm, okay, I won't.)

So, home Thursday night, with Friday to prepare for my five days on Reserve starting today (Saturday). Tons to do--first of all, sleep in. Up at 9:30 a.m.--I barely took time to check my e-mail. Packing my bags, after three months off, was quite the chore. Filling up all my bottles of shampoo, lotions and potions, putting together a cute outfit that is all weather proof (who knows where I'll end up in the world), Oh! Don't forget the new People magazine... Wait! Where is my iPod? And, ohmygawd! I have to get my nails done before I go back to work....I was bi-zee yesterday!

I have been looking forward to getting back to flying. So very different from my other airline, but, I've decided to embrace the Company culture I'm in and to quit resisting it. I am going to stay here--and I come back to work with a new attitude and a positive approach.

So, I looked at all the trips in the computer for today--doesn't matter where I go, I just wanna go! There is a cool trip--on Day One, it leaves Washington (IAD) and goes to Cancun (CUN), then heads to Chicago (ORD). Long layover (20+ hours) in ORD then goes to Amsterdam (AMS) on Day Two. Day Three is a long layover there in AMS, then return to Washington on Day Four. The first day of the trip is a ball-bustin' long day, but over all the trip is suh-weet for a Reserve person. It has an early morning sign-in, and I am number one on The List. Maybe, just maybe...

Around 9 p.m. last night, the phone rang--it was The Voice: Crew Scheduling calling to give me my assignment. Was I going to get that groovy CUN-AMS trip?

Oh, hell no!

I was given 5 a.m. Standby. Also known as Airport Appreciation.

Yuck.

(At least The Voice called at a decent hour. They are required to give at least four hours notice, and it is not unusual for them to wait until 1 a.m. to call you. I'm grateful for the early call, so I was able to get some sleep.)

So, here I am, sitting in the very quiet Crew Lounge--not even 6 a.m., waiting for a trip. If someone gets delayed for a trip, I am here to cover their position. If nothing happens, and I am not needed, I'll go home at 9 a.m. Norm will still be in bed when I get there.

Comfy seats in the almost empty Crew Lounge.



Hollywood lights, and ironing board and shoe shine thingee, in the Crew Lounge.

Even having to sit Standby, it really is good to be back!

Update, 7:20 p.m.

OMIGAWD! I have to go back to work tonight! As I was snoozing in the chair in front of the TV--remember, I got up at 3 this morning--the Crew Desk called and assigned me a deadhead flight to Boston (BOS). I guess when I am scheduled to report IS legal--it will have been 12.5 hours--but holy crap! What a way to work--not!

My View 1 Year Ago: Celebs Onboard.


Blondie