My World As A Flight Attendant

  Smiling without our masks, with two of my favorite people in JFK. Finally, we are masks-free after more than a year of wearing masks at work. I was waiting for that day when they would announce the mask-free day. It finally arrived. Crew members have the option to wear masks if they choose. So let us not question and respect those who prefer to wear masks. They have personal reasons; no arguments are required.  We all have the freedom to choose what is best for us and are responsible for the consequences of our choices. That is a general rule in life.  The pandemic era is not yet over, and the battle continues. However, we've gone a long way to keep fighting this "war" that has left humanity with much pain, sorrow, and life lessons.  Let us all be prepared and resilient for what the future brings.   

  " We are home and safe. Thank you, Lia. You made a crappy situation much better.  I hope Delta knows what a wonderful employee you are." This is our flight attendant Lia who deserves recognition. Last night, our flight was diverted from Ottawa, Ontario, to Burlington, Vermont; she saved the flight. She personally bought chocolates for us today. Now that is customer service!" Compliments and recognitions are factors for motivation.   I recall this flight on January 11, 2020, when our flight was diverted from Ottawa to Burlington due to weather issues, and I was working on a smaller plane by myself.  It was a long and exhausting flight that took the entire night and day. However, the passengers were all nice and understanding about the situation we couldn't control. Putting myself in their shoes helps me better understand and recognize their needs. No one wants to have delayed, diverted, or canceled flights. So buying them chocolates was my simple gesture of say...

Traveling with kids can be a lot of work, but it's fun. I was invited by a friend to a role-playing trip to Hawaii with kids from Laurel school in Cleveland, Ohio. My pilot was Captain Philip, whose daughter is studying here. Really excited to perform my role as a flight attendant and was thinking of what to buy for them as souvenirs. So I went to a store and bought each one a book.  My luggage was packed for the Hawaii trip (I wish!) I took the early morning flight to Cleveland. Captain Philip picked me up at the airport. We decided to buy them Hawaii garland (Lei) to have a feel of the Hawaiian trip.  They were ready! We welcomed them on their flight and gave each one a loot bag with goodies.   We arrived in Hawaii on time, and everybody said,  ALOHA!  "We enjoyed every minute of our time with you," teacher Kelli said. I had a lot of fun and would do this again! Please watch the video of our ALOHA trip   Laurel School Kids Go to Hawaii

American Dream is a famous phrase associated with upward mobility and enough economic success to lead a comfortable life.  Many of us associate the phrase with the land of opportunity for immigrants.  Historically, the term "American Dream" was coined in 1931 by James Truslow Adams, an American writer and historian. He said, "Life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement." I desired better and more opportunities for my children and myself. For 18 years, I worked for the US Embassy, and my dedication and hard work paid off when I was granted a special immigrant visa in 2012 and subsequently moved to New York.  In the Philippines, you must be resilient through tough times and work hard to achieve success. Since childhood, I have created goals for myself and worked hard to achieve those goals.  Achieving my version of the American Dream was not easy. Becoming a flight attendant and author was par...

Psychology experts say, "the mirror is the only option to see how you exactly look like, not from others' perspectives. It gives you self-awareness and helps you to soothe yourself, and it satisfies you about yourself more than anyone else." How long does it take me to prepare to go to work, from taking a shower to dressing up and putting on my makeup, including the time for making my first cup of coffee and packing my luggage? I don't like rushing, so I give myself an hour to do everything. But if I am pressed with time, give me 30-20 minutes, and I can still do it. The last thing I do before I head to the door is to look around to see if I forgot something, then look at myself in the mirror.  This hotel is the only hotel I've seen with this " Mirror Mirror on the wall " that reminds me of the Snow White fairy tale and the beautiful but wicked Queen.  The Queen would stand before the talking mirror to ask: " Mirror mirror on the wall, who is the fa...

  A smile is a facial expression that primarily conveys a positive emotion.  During the pandemic, when we wore a mask, that expression was put on a hidden shelf where it wasn't visible. I want to remember this gentleman who kept telling me to smile.  He was funny and said we don't see the smile on people's faces with a mask.  I got his message that he doesn't like wearing a mask. Neither do I. Research says that smiling is powerful. Here are some of the benefits of smiling: 1. You're more attractive 2. Smile is contagious 3. It feels good 4. It is stimulating 5. Reduces stress 6. Builds better and faster relationship 7. Enhances your business the 'best smile flight attendant' Evelyn When boarding passengers, welcoming them with a smile and having a quick conversation is typical of what we do. Passengers react differently when they are boarding. Some of them will smile back at me. Others will even greet me back or say something.  And others will ignore me.  ...

We face various challenges in traveling, and one of them is waiting for our delayed flight.  Traveling has changed over the years due to technology and security issues.  The advanced technology that runs the aviation industry is one of the great things we experience. Most transactions are done online. I know some people (like myself) don't want to do everything online. I like talking to a real person (not a machine!) Yes, things can be easier and faster doing them on the computer, but glitches and complicated processes for the "old school" people like me are why I don't rely everything on technology.   The pandemic has dramatically changed the travel industry, and we are coping with those changes.  Now, people are back traveling, and the demand is high.  Waiting for a delayed flight is a hurdle. Weather, maintenance, and staff issues are the common reasons a flight is delayed. Some things are out of control.  If you're a frequent traveler, you're used ...

  Have you had an experience when you're trapped somewhere? The feeling must be awful.   I remember one incident years ago when I felt trapped in a ferry's wheel ride with my kids.  It was a wrong decision, and I know I won't be doing that anymore. My fear of riding a ferry's wheel or a roller coaster is enormous. During the ride, all I did was scream, and I was begging to stop it so I could get off. Of course, it didn't happen, so I felt trapped! No one wants to be trapped. These poor birds in the airport had made their way inside but couldn't find their way out.  I am glad they found each other. Speaking of birds, we all remember the US Airways flight to Charlotte, North Carolina, on January 5, 2009, that struck a flock of birds shortly after taking off from New York City's La Guardia Airport and ditched in the Hudson River. There were five crew and 155 passengers on board the aircraft with no fatalities. They call it a "Miracle on Hudson." Accor...

  Do you have any travel plans or goals? Dalai Lama, spiritual leader of Tibet, said, "Once a year, go somewhere you have never been before."  This is one of my favorite quotes I used for the I Love Flying journal.  The biggest perk we have as flight attendants is the privilege to travel the world. I always say that if you love traveling, the flight attendant job is for you. Of course, our chance to travel for free or discounted rate depends basically on the availability of open seats that we can use. Flexibility in our travel plans is required.  Flight attendants are always on the go. Many of us have our luggage packed with clothes for personal travel after finishing a work trip. Some will do this if they don't have enough days off to go home. I've done this a couple of times. In October 2018, I wrote in our company newsletter about my trip with my friends to China. The trip was magnificent. Here's the link to my What A Beautiful World blog  China Adventure S...

  ` Yes, you see that right! Three bags to maneuver on this tiny isle. When I was a new flight attendant, my bags were heavier. Throughout these years, I've been hoping to have a lighter load to lessen the weight of carrying and stowing it in the overhead bins.  Because I usually do 4-5 day trip, the amount I have every trip is the same.  It's eight years now that I've been carrying my luggage, including one bag for personal items with my laptop and a small pouch for food. My right shoulder has started to wear out, especially when I work many hours.   Being a flight attendant is a physical job, at the same time, mental. Multi-tasking is needed to perform this job well. You need to do things quickly and safely. Decisiveness, assertiveness, and alertness of mind are also crucial to our job. I sometimes joke that carrying, maneuvering, and stowing my luggage is the hardest part of my job. I'd say, physically, it's the most challenging part. You must embrace this pa...

  "Happy anniversary to us!" Makeda exclaimed when she saw me at JFK airport.  Wow, I didn't realize it's today, May 15! Congrats to us and me for passing the recurrent training. Speaking of training, my hope is always to get a perfect score. Being here for a while, I should have no excuse.  But you know what, I was happy I passed! I think that's most important. The perfectionist and over-analytical in me make me nervous and why I am always paranoid with this yearly training.  How long more can I do this job? Not sure.  Being passionate about what I do, I know I will miss this job so much.  I told myself before that this would be my retirement job, and I would do this for as long as possible.  Eight years is not too long. I know flight attendants who have been doing this job for a long time - 20, 25, 30 + years. I always say I salute them ! Sometimes I hear them say they never expected to last that long.  Time flies so fast.  I vividly remem...

  I've never had mac and cheese this good! A long layover means time to go outside and enjoy a nice meal. Sometimes the whole crew would decide to go together, especially in nice weather. I join most of the time but don't mind going alone when no one wants to go.  This long layover in Wichita, Kansas, is a good one.  The hotel we stay at is right across from the Old Town Marketplace, and this River City Brewing is where I found the best mac & cheese! They are also the first brewpub in Wichita. Handcrafted beer and fresh food in a relaxed atmosphere are what they are famous for. Just sharing a few facts about Wichita: They are known as the Air Capital of the World and the birthplace of Pizza Hut and White Castle fast food chains.  So don't miss this best mac & cheese when you visit Wichita. 

What's your favorite cocktail drink? Mine is this Boarding Pass cocktail I discovered at Bowlero in New York, a bowling and entertainment place. When flight attendants have a long layover, we can drink as long as we are legal to do it.  For my employer, we should not consume alcohol for 12 hours before reporting for work. Drinking responsibly should be our mantra when on a trip.  Yes, we do have random alcohol and drug test. Being under the influence of alcohol concentration of .02 or greater will be subject to disciplinary action or immediate discharge.  I am always paranoid about drinking during layovers and conscious with time. I don't want to get in trouble because of irresponsible drinking.   My curiosity had me research what makes a Boarding Pass cocktail. For those who want to know, here are the ingredients: Bacardi coconut rum, watermelon puree, pineapple juice, lemon-lime soda, and of course, garnished with a cherry! Cheers to my bowling strikes!

Every day is different in the life of a flight attendant. There are days when we have a "sit," meaning we wait for an hour or two or maybe longer for our next flight.  Sometimes, we stay on the same plane, and sometimes we sit at the airport.  We call the time when we sit at the airport "airport appreciation."  Yes, sitting in the airport or waiting for hours can be frustrating.  Most of us find it unproductive.  A good amount of sit is favorable; we use that time to eat. It's a joke I always say that  the more I sit, the more I eat. I know, don't condemn me.  I need to have discipline. On days when we have long sit, I use the time to work on something on my laptop. But when I work with a friend, like Evelyn, we play around and have fun.  It's making the best use of our time.  It was snowing in Burlington, Vermont, this first week of December.  I love winter when there is only a little snow that I can play with and when the cold is tole...

The rise of airline passengers' misbehavior has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic.  What is your opinion? Is the pandemic a significant factor?  Back in October 2021, I was interviewed by Cristina DC, Pastor of  The FilAm, A Magazine for Filipino Americans in New York,  about this issue.  Flight attendant Lia Ocampo has had her share of defiant airline passengers chortling in disdain when told to wear face masks while boarding the plane. Some travelers with ‘attitude’ tell her to her face “just let me go home” in an angry tone. So far, she has not figured in a situation where a passenger has been verbally or physically abusive. Media reports have streamed instances where flight crew are bullied, yelled out or violently attacked as when a Southwest Airlines attendant lost two teeth in a physical assault by a passenger in July of this year. “I never confronted a passenger about vaccine mandates. Flight attendants don’t deal with that information,” said Ocampo...

  Speaking of life lessons and wisdom, I love reading motivational words whenever I see them.  Often, I take a photo and use them as my wisdom for the day.  I commend the Starbucks at Raleigh Durham airport for putting this board at their store. Wondering how many passengers by or customers read this. I guess it doesn't matter; they are doing a great job. What's important is that they put out the message for someone and that someone is me.   You never know when your words of encouragement or compliment will motivate, heal a person, or make a difference. Even a stranger you meet can benefit from your kind words.  Be generous yet sincere with words of encouragement and compliments. It doesn't cost you anything to share your wisdom. 

  Will you pick up a tattered book?  In the laundry area at my former apartment in Jacksonville, Florida, there's a waiting area with a bookstand.  I browsed from the collection of books a couple of times and looked for something interesting.   This book,  Life 101 Everything We Wish We Had Learned About Life In School - But Didn't  by John-Roger and Peter McWilliams, caught my attention.  The book cover was tattered, but I didn't hesitate to pick it up.  I've read many motivational books, but I know I would still benefit from this one, no matter how old or tattered the book is.  I thought I would find new wisdom or a reminder of something I may have forgotten.   I took the book on my trip. I browsed the pages; here's what I found; A timely wisdom I was seeking to find. "I have found the best way to give advice to your children is to find out what they want and then advise them to do it." - Harry S Truman

One of the best things you can give someone is the gift of prayer. I always meet nice passengers. It's my pleasure to meet Maria (not her real name). She's going back home to Mexico.  Maria was so friendly when she boarded; she gave me her big smile. She was sitting towards the end of the plane. I started talking to her and found out that she had been praying since the time she boarded the plane.  When we landed in New York, Maria gave me  Our Lady of Guadalupe prayer, telling me she would pray for me. Isn't that wonderful? All I had to say to her was thank you ! I am a fan of Our Lady of Guadalupe and have visited her church in Mexico with Tita Siony. The shrine was beautiful and one of the best religious places I've seen.  Prayer is powerful, and when someone prays for you, that's even more meaningful.    

Smiling or having fun during times of trouble is a hard thing to do. During the pandemic, life was tough. We hardly see people smile and laugh.  Having fun at work is not hard, especially when working with your favorite crew. Despite the sad environment, we tried to smile and gave ourselves a reason to have fun.  On my first trip in January, our flight from La Guardia, New York, to Toronto, Canada, was zero passengers. Obviously, we didn't have passengers because of COVID-19 and the restrictions in Canada. People didn't want to travel. Despite no passengers on board, we had to fly the plane to Canada to bring passengers from Canada to New York. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought us many experiences, good and bad. Most of us survived, and many didn't. Some memories are painful to remember.   Soon, we will recall those challenging years as a tragic history we should have learned from. And hope that there will be no more pandemic that will exist in our lifetime. 

  Yes, we have a day when we are honored. International Flight Attendant Day is celebrated every May 31. Thanks for this occasion when we are recognized and feel special.  My employer defines what a flight attendant is and what we do. " Our flight attendants provide a safe and memorable onboard experience for every customer, every day, on every flight by creating a warm and welcoming environment for our guests. Flight attendants are service-oriented professionals with a passion for customer service and helping others ." Good customer service and helping others are two essential qualities that a flight attendant should possess.  This job is for you if you love traveling and want a flexible lifestyle. Some flight attendants want to work on big planes rather than small planes, and for them, flying internationally is more appealing than local destinations.  It's okay; we all have our choices. For me, it doesn't matter if we are working on different aircraft or wearing di...

  The year 2020 was unprecedented. It was a sad time of loss, and isolation was normal. Who got COVID-19? We all want to know the answer to this common question, and the COVID-19 test result is something we fear finding out.  It was my first day of work on January 11, 2022, and I felt a little sick.  I rarely get sick, and I know when there's something odd in me. After I landed in Raleigh, Durham, North Carolina, I decided to have myself tested.  Thanks to my friend, Nestor, who spared me a test kit. And there you go, COVID-19 positive happened to me, too. Mind you, I had my COVID-19 vaccine last year. Where do I get the virus? Who knows where? My employer sent me to a hotel that afternoon, and I was isolated for five days. During the first three days of isolation, my body was weak, and I had no energy to do anything; hence, I stayed in bed the whole day and night. No laptop work for me, as my mind was not functioning as my body. On the fourth day, I felt my legs wer...

Fly High Manila is a famous social media brand about Filipino flight attendants and their lifestyle.  It's a great opportunity to be featured on Fly High Manila Spotlight and honored to be interviewed by my Marketing Consultant and friend, Angie Cabahug.  “Good morning, everyone. My name is Lia, one of your flight attendants on this flight.  It is our pleasure to take care of you today.” On a typical flight, Lia Ocampo greets airline passengers and assures them of a comfortable flying experience aboard the carrier.  During her teenage days in her hometown, Batangas City, she would recall looking up at the sky when planes passed by. She found joy watching an aircraft fade on the horizon. She knew since then it was an instant attraction. Later on, this attraction turned into a desire to become a flight attendant. Copies of National Geographic hanging around the house strongly fueled this desire. They were her main reading material while growing up. For many years, she...