My World As A Flight Attendant

Have you had a busted luggage in the middle of your trip? Guess what, I did! Because of my goal to downsize in order to lessen the weight I carry, I have been using a smaller luggage.  I bought this luggage at Walmart and have used it for many months, until I could no longer use it.   I was having an issue with the zipper, but I still decided to use it on my trip.  There you go, the zipper finally broke in Cincinnati.  The staff helped me taped my busted luggage, but I still managed to used it for 2 days until I finished my trip. It was embarrassing for me to carry a busted luggage.  But I had to deal with it.  We all got our lessons learned.  I know this incident had thought me one.  To downsize is a good thing to do.  Just make sure you got the right thing for it. 

I love vintage stuff. This nice gentleman boarded first and I couldn't help but noticed his luggage. I got excited and asked if we could take a photo with him and his vintage luggage. Then he gave us a big and warm smile.  I was wondering if his luggage is really his. Guess who owns it? It is his mother!  I would love to take it home. These simple things make my day exciting and fun. I love my job!

To relocate is a big decision and a challenge. In early 2017 I decided to relocate to Jacksonville, FL. I thought that my 5 years living in New York was good enough. When I first started in New York in 2012, I told myself that I will stay there for few years and move somewhere eventually.  I know that I won't stay there long, and will move to a place where life is laid back, no winter weather and snow and where it's more affordable. This was the right time when I decided to do it. I love New York but it's time to have some changes; a change of a lifestyle.  I told my friends in Jacksonville about my plan, and they were there for me. Thank you to my special friends who helped me settled in. Jacksonville has been a part of my flight attendant life. I had my IOE (initial operating experience) here.  IOE is the final part of our training that we have to pass before we officially get our wings. Then, when I started flying and got trips to Jacksonville, I always s...

We have a term in aviation called "special."   Those who are "special" are not the VIPs or the celebrities nor the politicians.  They are the ones with disabilities and special needs to have a wheelchair.  Infants are also considered "special." I give special care and attention to our "special people."  That's why they are called "special" because they need or deserve special treatment. When pilot or gate agent ask if we have special, and if we don't have them on our flight, sometimes I jokingly say - - it is me!  When I have a long day and tired, I can be a real "special." Someday, I would like to experience riding a wheelchair, not as a disabled person but for a joy ride, and be treated as a "special."

One tip and trick that you can do when you are running late to your flight is to ride on this airport car. But make sure you leave a tip! I've taken this ride couple of times.  Once when we were trying to get on our earlier deadhead flight and another time when we just wanted to have fun. This photo was not a real ride, but it was just a photo shoot.  When I was new, I have always been fascinated with this airport car. I told myself that one day I will drive this for fun. We were bored waiting for our next flight, so we took the opportunity to kill time having fun with this airport ride.

Christmas is my favorite time of the year. It is the time of the year when people's mood changes to a brighter and more positive one.  It is the time of the year when we are more giving, more forgiving, more loving.   I remember this day in Cincinnati, it was the early season of Christmas.  I worked by myself with back to back flights.  I forgot where I was at that time.  But I will never forget what this lady told me before she deplaned.   She told me "you have a good heart." I couldn't say anything than to thank her.  I was trying to recall what I did to her or what special gesture I did on the flight.  As far as I remember, I only did my job and I was being "me" to all the passengers. Wonderful comments like this make my day.  They make me a better person.

She's the daughter of my former accountant in New York.   I was on my way to work, I passed by their house when she saw me.  I had to stop and took this photo. She's a s weet little girl and she wants to be a pilot. Kids have their own dream when they grow up.  Parents have their dreams for their kids as well. However, sometimes they end up being someone with a different field of profession that they opted to choose. Because of my passion to become a flight attendant, I wanted my oldest son to be a pilot. He turned out to be a computer engineer, and now he has a great high paying job.  I wanted my daughter to be a dentist but she turned out to be an accountant. She's now an auditor and doing great on what she does. I am happy for what they have become. I know that I did my best to guide them to what they are now.  My youngest son is in the path of creating his future. I believe that this path also leads him to a successful future. This little girl ...

I call Ryan as my adapted son. We met at our hiring event in 2014. Standing at one corner, he's quiet by himself, I approached him and we started talking.  Since then we became friends. We studied and hang out together during our training days.  He stayed with me for a short time in New York when we started flying.  We've shared secrets and sentiments.  We've worked together and traveled to couple of places. He took me to my first lighthouse in Georgia - Tybee Lighthouse, and to his family in Wisconsin on Thanksgiving weekend in 2014. He drove me to my first sunflower plantation. We have many wonderful memories. He's a sweet boy, caring, and loving.  We started together, and no matter where he goes in the near future, I will forever call him my adopted son.

Pinoy (plural with S) is the short term for Filipino. During our "reserve days" in 2014, we walk around the airport, eat, and drink coffee.  Half of the time aside from sitting, that's what we did. One afternoon, me and my friend, John visited the counter of Philippine Airlines, the flag ship airline of the Philippines. It's nice to meet them with all smiles. We are proud Pinoys. Proud of what we do. Proud of who we are. Proud of where we came from!

We have this street food in the Philippines called "Balut." It is a developing bird embryo that is boiled and eaten from the shell.  We were in DC and went to this Filipino restaurant serving balut. Our Captain knows about balut. He told me that he has not eaten it and wanted to try it that night. I challenged him, and he did it. He's brave.  I haven't eaten that myself, just the sauce which is really tasty.  Kudos to Capt TJ  for taking the challenge and winning it.

I meet Filipinos everywhere. She's very nice and told me that she also wants to be a flight attendant.  I encouraged her to apply, gave her suggestions and tips. I used to be like her.  Once dreamt of getting my dream job. I am now heading to my fifth year and enjoying it. Dream it. Do it.  Perseverance and determination are key things to attain your goal.

Meet our cutest passenger on board. My job has so many interesting things.  I meet interesting people and interesting characters as well.  When I am having fun on my flight, I notice many things, including the presence of toys such as Mr. Cookie Monster. These stuff make our flight more enjoyable and fun. 

I call her Princess.  She handed me her piece of art she drew on the plane. They are travelling back home to Russia. What a nice gesture from this sweet little princess. Little things and little gestures when given and received with sincerity can make a big difference.      

I love to invite my friends to "my beach & my beach house" whenever they have long layover in Jacksonville. If the weather is nice, we walk on the beach. I always brag about our local fastfood "Jolibee" and have them taste it. I am proud to show my friends my place. It is my happy place!

Behind us on these photos is the Big Apple. It was my second time working with Steve on this trip.  I first worked with him when I was new.  He wanted to take a photo with me in La Guardia.  He likes to takes photos and puts them in an album. I used to have lots of photo albums. I had to take them out of the album when I moved in the US. Most of my photos now are saved in the computer and phone.  This blog helps me select my best photos and keep them altogether. And soon, this blog will either become a book or a printed journal. It's nice to work with someone who takes his job seriously. Maturity and dedication are the secrets to stay longer in this job. I think we both have it.     

I will always remember Bahamas. It's the first Caribbean country I've visited on my first cruise with Norwegian. I rewarded myself with an 8-day cruise as soon as I found out that I got selected for the flight attendant job. Even though I know that I still have to pass the training, I was optimistic and knew that I will get it. This work trip to the Bahamas was memorable to me.  It was a fun flight with nice passengers excited to have a fun vacation to this beautiful island. I will revisit Bahamas one day again, and reminisce the memories of my first cruise trip.

I remember this flight very well. It was a flight from Portland, Maine to JFK in February 2018. SSG Travis Mills is a retired US Army Staff Sergeant.  He is a recalibrated warrior, motivational speaker, and international advocate for veterans and amputees.  He has a Foundation - the Travis Mills Foundation, which benefits and assists combat-injured veterans. I was glad to work at the first class of the cabin, as I had to pleasure to have met SSG Mills. Initially,  Initially, I had no idea who he is.  I treat everybody the same, but his physical appearance - with missing legs and arms had struck me.  He was with another gentleman and they were playing a game on the phone while everybody was boarding.  My curiosity had brought me to start a conversation.  Eventually, I found out who he is and the gentleman with him is his father in law.  They were going to Las Vegas for a speaking engagement. A very nice, with all smile, and everything seemed ...

Recruitment was part of my flight attendant life for almost 2 years.  I was once dreamt of this job. I worked hard to get it. And I am now enjoying it.   The interview process can be nerve racking if you are not used to it.  Even if you are used to the face to face interview, fear can develop depending on your interviewer, even if you have the determination to do your best and get hired.  Preparation and confidence are 2 essential factors to do well and get the job you that you wanted. The recruiters or interviewers play a great part to the confidence and performance of the candidate.  A couple of times, I have been told by the candidates that I've made them feel relaxed and not nervous. I put myself on the seat of the candidate.  That was just my style.  The company made some changes on the policy for the recruiters. That change has preempted me to resign as a recruiter.  It's nice to make a difference when you become a par...

When I am in a crowded place in New York especially on a train, I have this realization that I don't see people who look alike, unless they are related with each other. It is just amazing to know that we seldom see people who are not related with each other but they look alike. I only have one sister, her name is Liz. We may not look like twins but of course we have resemblance. She is my older sister and I admire her for being a good hearted woman, a wife and a mother. I met Anne in JFK.  She is Detroit base, and she's been a flight attendant for a long time.   She struck me with her sweetness, kindness, and professionalism.  She's lovely and charming. I admire her. At a hotel in New York, a staff told me that we look alike.  On another occasion, the pilot I was working with also mistaken me as her. It's my honor to look like here. She's beautiful inside and out.

We started in May 2014 as classmates.  John and Jenny are two great friends. Our busy schedule working and attending to our personal obligations prevent us from seeing each other often.  But we try to be together at least to celebrate our birthdays and Christmas. Being a flight attendant for almost 5 years now, we have learned a lot. We have aged a bit and maybe or I must say  - - for sure - - we have gained some weight. We have been into some challenges - financially and emotionally.  We have traveled together and have shared great memories. We have drunk a lot of coffee and wine together. We have laughed and cried. We have travel goals to accomplish and dreams to fulfill. I am looking forward to another 5 years at least that we are together in this job.  It doesn't matter where we fly or what kind of plane we fly, and how much we make.  What matters is that we have started together and living our dreams. We are Delta friends.

On of the reasons why I love Christmas is the decorations.  Christmas is a happy and festive season. It is a season of joy and love. My friend Melissa doesn't like to take photos.  I insisted to have these photos taken and she was okay with it.  Photos are memories and they remind us of our good times. We meet people and some of them become our friends.  Melissa is a loving person and a joy to fly with. 

I can't remember his name but I do remember his happy face when we landed New York. I meet a lot of people travelling to New York for the first time.  And this boy is one of them.  It was his birthday and he's very excited to see New York. His aunt and godmother were equally thrilled. Oftentimes, I hear passengers say they love New York but just to visit but not to live here.   I am not surprised with this, as I know how it is.   I love New York too.  I've lived here for 5 years, had a lot of wonderful experiences and have met nice people.  But to live in New York is a choice and a different lifestyle. I started in New York and it will be forever a part of me. As I always say while taxing to the gate  - - "Welcome to John F. Kennedy International Aiport and Welcome to New York!"

Have you experienced a charter flight? I was on my way to go home that night, listed myself on the last flight to JAX from JFK. A captain whom I have worked before asked me to join them on this "repo" flight to Lakeland, FL which is more than an hour away from my apartment.  They are flying the plane there for repainting work. I accepted his invitation. It was a relaxing flight by myself, with my book and a view of the sunset.  And most of all, I got to experienced my own charter flight!

"Just one smile can change someone's day." I received this note from my passenger written on a napkin. I am guessing I probably gave him or her (I really can't remember) a smile and it must have made his day. We never know what a person may have or have been going through. On our flight, I wouldn't know the reason why some people are travelling unless I ask or if they tell me. And if they do, I listen.  Some people need an ear to listen to their stories. They need to vent just to lessen their burden.  They need a smile to change their mood and disposition. When I am tired and sick or if I have issues that bother me, it is hard to give a smile.  It is hard to project a positive aura if you don't feel it.  However, I try to fake it sometimes. Whoever wrote me this note, I hope that I was able to changed his day in a positive way. I thank him for this - for reminding me that -- a smile can change someone's day!

The company hosts an annual event in Minneapolis for flight attendants called "The Experience." This was my second year to attend it, and the theme was "Be The Difference." This event is partly a customer service training and socialization.  It's a time to see classmates and friends, hear new things about the company and learn new things about customer service. The video that they showed "Give 'em the pickle" is not new to me.  I first saw that video during my training in Vienna, Austria in 2005 when I was still at the American Embassy.  After coming back from training, I shared my learnings to my former colleagues. From then on I have been practicing the concept of  'giving the pickle.'  I even made my own version of a cheat sheet, kept it and brought it with me. It reminds of my wonderful and first official trip to Europe. Service, Attitude, Consistency and Teamwork are the principles of "Give 'em the pickle." It...