New job ideas

With the awesome announcement of yet 500 more layoffs, I have been considering my future.

Here are the top five jobs I will consider,

1) birthday train conductor. Yours truly is ready to build a train. (dad, may I have your golf cart and lawn mower?)

2) florist... I always have thought this would be a fun job and my dad works in an industry where he could get me some customers.

3). Errand runner.... I was always responsible for buying cigs and beer for my very good old lady friend, Virginia. I figured there are lots of seniors that need beer and can't drive.

4). Poem writer. Do you need to make a toast? For a birthday, wedding, or roast? I will help you, so you can be proud. When you get up and speak to a crowd.

5). last but not least, I have considered being a critic. I like to read, eat, and watch movies. I would be willing to review things for pay. This one seems like a bit of a longshot. Really, only my mom cares what I think of movies and books. However, in most of my new job options she will probably be my only customer...

Bankruptcy

OK. I work for a company going through bankruptcy. I know I am not the first. I know I will not be the last. But, this is absolutely terrible. I am amazed at the news today. I have been a flight attendant 12 years, my anniversary is Valentine's Day. That's right, 12 years. 12 YEARS and my seniority still places me in the bottom 2300 flight attendants. This brings me to a fairly annoying question that well meaning people often ask. Will this news about AA affect you? Like I said, I know it is asked with well-meaning, but DUH!!! 13,000 layoffs will most certainly have substantial consequences to anyone employed there.

So, the magic flight attendant number is 2300. There are about 16500 total flight attendants. This percentage is worse than the original numbers set out post 9/11.

To me, this is what makes it worse: There will be no disruption of service. The remaining flight attendants, that are not furloughed, will be expected to work that much more. Work more, make less.

This industry is so different than most careers out there, and is governed by a contract that is agreed upon by the company and the union. The proposed changes in the contract make me equally as sick, as the prospect of losing my job. Well, maybe not equally, but both are extremely disturbing. It is called a term sheet. It is the first (and please God) worst proposal for pay, benefits, and work rules. I am trying to think of a funny name for it. Obviously, shit keeps coming to mind instead of sheet.

Now, the other thing that people say (and I'm unsure if they mean well) is, "at least you have a job."

To those people, I say yes, today I have a job. And it's one that I love. However, the aforementioned effects of today's news, still have me slightly irritated and quite concerned.

Here are a few stereotypes and the top cities that fit in them. In my humble opinion...

RICH, SNOBBY, AND SKINNY. - Orange County

RICH, SNOBBY, SKINNY, AND GAY -Palm Springs

GRANOLAS THAT BRING WEIRD CARRYON LUGGAGE - Portland

J.A.P. FLIGHT - Eagle Mountain aka Vail

NEWLYWED AND NEARLY DEAD - Ft. lauderdale

NYE. Rock on. Tonight I got on the plane and was met be a lively little flight attendant that brought us tiaras and low horns. How fun!! One or two grumps got mad at the tooting horns over the PA. Most people loved it.

We may have been better suited for a Vegas flight. Or new Orleans. Or Austin, or almost any city other than Dayton.

We have a 30 hour layover in Dayton. We stay downtown at a hotel that I would never pay to stay in, but it is centrally located in downtown. When we landed at 1100 pm, we were informed by crap hotel that we were now staying at the drury inn near the airport. And doubling up rooms. Huh??? For 30 hours. No i don't thinks so. Thankfully the captain got it sorted out and we got individual rooms. The crown plaza (original hotel) driver took us to the drury. He apologized forthe smell in the van, some guests had been smoking weed in there. Huh? Is this guy ok to drive? He got us all set up and will be back to pick us up Monday morning. this is a first. I would have gone home if they tied to make me share a room. Or gone across the street to the golden corral.

H O T T O G O

Holy smokes batman, it is so flippin' hot!!!!

I love when people ask me to heat up the airplane.

Hell no, I will not! It is 112 degrees outside, as soon as we set this bird down, we will be heating up like little cookies in an oven.

Returning to my job as a flight attendant after over a year reminds me of things I missed and things I really did not miss. Such funny little things, but things none the less.

I missed
1. washing my hands with club soda. seriously, try it. feels so good.
2. people. I missed being around people.
3. Newspapers, and news. First USA Today I had picked up in over a year.
4. Magazines.
5. feeling so young.
6. leaving my kids

I did not miss
1. people, they can be so rude and indecent. most are nice, but those that are not, well...
2. cell phones. and trying to get people to TURN THEM OFF.
3. Airplane turning. Made me sick. I will get used to it.
4. leaving my kids. (yes, it is a two sided coin)
5. peeing on the airplane. enough said.

I am sure there are more. These are immediate reminders. Funny little things, huh?

steven slater

So, everyone has been asking me what I think of Steven Slater.   I honestly think it is hilarious.   You know sometimes you just get fed up and take 2 brewskis, pop the slide and say F You everyone (over the PA)!!!

This being said, it was dangerous, and he really should be used to people ignoring him, and treating him like he is an unimportant nuisance, rather than a mandatory safety professional.   People ignore me a lot.  I don't care.  If I ask you to sit down because we are moving, it is because I don't want you to get hurt, and also because I am required by law to tell you to sit.   Do you think I really care if you sit?  No.   If I ask you to fasten your seat belt, it is because we are in turbulence.  I am required to check and ask you to buckle up.  If you ignore me, I do not care .(sometimes I secretly hope you fall on your ass, though)  You will be the one who hits the ceiling, as I will be sitting down with my seat belt fastened.

I think this guy is so newsworthy because who hasn't fantasized about saying F you and quitting your job??  I mean, I haven't, but besides me....  ;)