Registered Traveler Program

After hearing about it for a few months now, it looks like the Registered Traveler program is getting ready to launch.

Today in the Sky, a USA Today blog, reports that the program will debut on June 20th.

Already controversial, the program will allow registered travelers (who have paid a fee and submitted to a variety of background and security checks) to forego certain security processes.  Not the metal detector and screening, of course, but travelers will be able to avoid removing coats and shoes.  It is also rumored that laptops will not need to be removed from bags going through the screen.

Now, my questions is a personal one.  Since crew members have already gone through this background check and security clearance will we be given that same courtesy?

Technorati Tags : travel, aviation, flight+attendants

 

 

 

Podcast Questions

Thanks to everyone who's written after listening to the podcast.  Here's what everyone seems to be asking about:

 

Yes, it was fun. 

 

Yes, I was nervous.

 

Yes, I probably am available for other interviews.  Just contact me via email and we'll see what we can work out.

 

Technorati Tags : travel, flight+attendant

 

 

Fly Girl Podcast

My friends over at Inflight HQ (one of my favorite travel blogs) have now posted a an interview that I did with them last week.

 

It was my first podcast, but Teresa made it fun, even though I was still a little nervous. 

 

Check it out, and while your at it take a look at their archives.  They have some great information.

 

 

Technorati Tags : travel, flight+attendant, airlines, inflightHQ

 

 

Pizza Delay

Today was a day full of delays.  It started out badly, and it never got any better.

 

The first flight was plagued with a mechanical of unspecified origin.  The first thought was that it could be fixed rather quickly, and we'd be on our way with a minimum of delay.  Most likely something that would be made up during the actual flight.

 

We weren't that lucky.

 

In the middle of the boarding process, things went awry.  Not sure the mechanical explanation for it, all I know is that it meant we weren't going anywhere.  For a rather long time.

 

Since we already had boarded a couple of passengers, the flight attendants weren't allowed to get off the plane.  The captain and first officer left, either to take care of paper work or because they had a better offer.  We asked the passengers if they'd like to deplane and go back into the terminal.  They said no.  So there we were.  Stuck on the plane, facing a now rather lengthy delay, no food, no ability to get off and get food, and no idea of when the problem would get resolved.

 

And so, the clock keeps ticking. . . ticking. . . .

 

Once again, we asked our two passengers if they'd like to get off.  We encouraged them, explained that we had no food, urged strongly.  But no luck.  They liked remaining onboard.  Never mind that the crew's access to food was now cut off as we couldn't get off.  Never mind that we weren't getting paid for the delay (we only get paid for flight time).  Never mind that our stomachs were grumbling and our tempers getting shorts, we're happy to provide a lounge for you to relax in.

 

And the clock keeps ticking. . . ticking. . . .

 

Nearly three hours later the issue is resolved.  The passengers started boarding, and we kept our fingers crossed that we would be underway within a half hour.  We were tired and hungry.

 

But a very big THANK YOU to the couple who brought a pizza to the crew.  We hadn't had any food, and had no prospects of getting any.  When we talked to them, they said they when they ordered a pizza for themselves, they though of us and ordered an extra one.

 

Your thoughtfulness in thinking of us was greatly appreciated.  I'm often asked how passengers can ingratiate themselves to the crew.  I've always said that it's about treating us, and all people, with basic courtesy.  The pizza was a classic example.

 

Bob and Helen --- thank you!

 

 

Technorati Tags : travel, flight+attendant

 

What's Your Favorite Travel Blog?

I'm getting ready to update my side bar and include some more of my favorite travel blogs.  If you have one you'd like to recommend, please let me know.  I'm hoping to review all of them and make the site changes later this week.

 

Technorati Tags : travel

 

 

Favorite Airline Poll Results

OTHER was the runaway favorite airline in this past week's unscientific poll.

From feedback I've received, this seems to be because the airlines listed were all U.S. carriers.  I apologize for not thinking to include many of the fine international airlines.  It was a good wake-up call to think a little more globally.

Full results follow:

Other - 28%

Southwest - 17%

United - 10%

Delta - 9%

Continental - 9%

Jet Blue - 8%

American - 6%

Alaska - 6%

Northwest - 3%

US Airways/America West - 2%

 

Thanks for voting.  Look for another poll coming soon!

Technorati Tags : travel, airline

 

Favorite Airline Poll Closing

I'll be closing the Favorite Airline poll tonight.  So if you haven't voted yet, go to the sidebar and vote now.

 

 

That Man in First Class

Sometimes, I wish I had a camera with me when I was working.  That way, I could take pictures of famous people doing stupid things, or looking ridiculous, and sell them to the Enquirer, allowing me to then retire to my villa in Tuscany.

 

Yesterday was one of those days.

 

A well-known individual from the sports industry was on my flight, sitting in First Class.  He was well-groomed, dresssed well, and many people would find him to be quite handsome.

 

His personal demeanor, however, was that of a prima donna.  While I expected this, I didn't expect that he would be quite so abrasive and rough around the edges.  He seemed to offend most of the people around him -- and that was before we closed the door and took off.  It just got better and better from there.

 

The high point was when I noticed that he had removed his coat, sweater and shirt, and was sitting in the cabin in his grubby wife-beater t-shirt.  I shouldn't have to say it, but here goes:  This is not a good look for a guy.  Especially not in public. 

 

As I walked through the cabin, trying to provide good service to everyone, my inner-voice flight attendant was screaming "NO CLASS!"  I smiled and was gracious, however, but I wondered how much the Enquirer would pay for that kind of photo. 

 

And what does a villa in Tuscany cost?

 

 

 

5 Weird Things About Me

I got tagged for this weird meme by Astroprof.  I don't mean that the meme is weird.  The topic of the meme is five weird things about yourself.  I don't usually answer these, but Astroprof is a heck of a nice guy, so this one's for him.

 

Five Weird Things About Me (weird defined in a VERY broad sense):

 

1. I'm afraid of heights, yet work at 40,000 feet.
2. I can still remember all of the phone numbers that I've had, going all the way back to childhood.
3. I don't have a middle name.
4. During my entire time in elementary school, I never missed a word on my spelling tests.
5. I blog anonymously.  I mean, how weird is that!

I'm not tagging anyone else, so this ends here.

 

 

Some Day

Last night was a casual dinner with a neighbor.

She's an excellent cook, and went all out with an Asian buffet. Delish! My contribution was the beer and the fortune cookies.

Over a leisurely meal we moaned and groaned about our respective jobs, co-workers, and the problems that we face in balancing all the competing issues in our lives. We talked about our dreams and goals, and where each of us plans to go on our vacations this year.

I noted that the words "some day" kept creeping into the conversation. "Some day I'm going to start that book I've been talking about." "Some day I'm going to take a day off in the middle of the week and go to a spa for a day of pampering." "Some day I'm just going to say NO to all the projects that I'm asked to take on."

We talked about whether this is a common musing for men as well as women. Then we swore that we would be careful about not putting things off too long -- to a "some day" that never comes.

We cracked open the fortune cookies as I was about to leave. Imagine my surpise to read mine:

Is the world trying to tell me something?

Questions & Answers

It's been awhile since I've done any questions and answers, so today seemed like a good day to go through my email box and try to get to some of them.

 

 

When you have to fly all night long, where do you sleep?  Do you sleep at all?

We are not permitted to sleep while we are on duty.  It is an offense for which would be fired.  We can't even look like we are sleeping.

 

Don't you get stress easily after being in a plane all day?

Like any job, we have good days and bad days.  I've had other jobs before flying and think I'm able to compare the stresses of both situations.  I much prefer flying.

 

What do you do when you're not flying?

I travel for pleasure.  I enjoy music and movies.  I do typical girl stuff:  shopping, reading chick-lit and hanging out with my friends.  Just the normal kind of stuff.

 

What color hair do you have?

Blonde.

 

What do you like best about being a flight attendant?

For me, the best part of the job is that every day is different.  Different trips, different passengers, different cities, different crew members.  I can escape to warm weather in the winter, and cooler weather in the summer.  I don't take my work home with me (well, except for this blog).  I work a schedule that leaves me free to enjoy other intellectual and personal interests.

 

Technorati Tags : flight+attendants, travel

 

Dinner Interruptions

Yesterday, toward the end of a particularly long flight, another flight attendant and I were in the galley FINALLY getting a chance to eat our dinner. 

 

Our crew meals aren't any great shakes, but it had been a long day on the airplane, we had gone through all the healthy snacks that we typically bring, and we were starving.

 

During the flight we had already served a meal, two beverage services, and an additional time through the cabin with coffee.  Most passengers had settled in, sleeping, reading, or otherwise occupying themselves.

 

Just as we sat down on the jumpseat, a passenger came back to the galley, stepped in front of where we were sitting to eat, and said:  "I don't mean to interrupt your dinner, but. . . ."

 

". . . but you're going to, aren't you?" I silently finished.  Ten minutes later I finally got back to my dinner.

 

Technorati Tags : travel, flight+attendants

 

Vote for Your Favorite Airline

In doing a little blog maintenance today, I discovered how to create a poll.

 

I'm not sure that I'll make it a regular feature, but thought it might be a good way to start off the New Year.  If you navigate over to the side bar, you'll find the poll just above archived posts. 

 

Cast your vote for your favorite airline.  I know that sometimes favorites change as frequently as the seasons, so make this vote who you would prefer to fly on today.

 

Technorati Tags : airlines, travel, flight+attendants, polls

 

 

Dinner Reservations

Usually, dinner on a layover is something simple and relatively inexpensive.  We generally try to get away from the hotel, as many of our layover hotels have over-priced and under-yummy coffee shops.

 

In many cities, I have my favorites.  Occasionally, however, I want something different; to break out of my food rut.  When this happens, I often consult Open Table. 

 

Open Table is a free reservation service for over 4,000 restaurants in both the U.S. and around the world.  The restaurants listed range from casual to formal dining, all price ranges and locations.  The listings include information about the restaurants, and a link to the website, if available.  There is a rewards program for frequent users.

 

I first started using the service for cities that I was unfamiliar with, but now I find that I use it just as much in my home city.  I've never had a problem using the service, nor with how I've been treated at the restaurants they use.  I've used the service for some special occasions, noting so in the comment section of the reservation form.  The restaurants have gone all out to make sure that the occasion was truly special.

 

Open Table is a service that I use and am happy to recommend.

 

Technorati Tags : travel, restaurants, flight+attendants

 

Snow Vacation

Everyone has a different definition of what would be a great vacation.

For some people, it's staying home and getting all those projects done around the house. For other, it's a wild weekend is Las Vegas, a cruise, laying on the beach, hiking in the mountains, or enjoying cultural events.


For Astroprof, however, it's all about the snow. And I think he went to one of the few places in the U.S. that has LOTS of snow. Here are a couple of photos from his recent winter vacation:

The first photo, taken at Snow Mountain Ranch in Colorado, shows lots of snow and some sleighs. Astroprof said they took a ride and roasted marshmallows around a camp fire. Sounds very romantic to me!

Now, this second photo still amazes me -- and I've been looking at it for awhile. It shows Astroprof at the Continental Divide at Berthoud Pass (Colorado). It's over two miles high, 15 degrees (Fahrenheit), and windy. Just looking at how bundled up he is makes me cold! A little geography reminder for those who may have forgotten: The continental divide marks the place where water flows either into the Pacific Ocean or the Atlantic Ocean, depending on which side of the divide you are on.

Thanks for sharing your vacation photos. Sounds like you had a wonderful time!

Back to work now!

Watch Me Change

Today I seem to be having a bit of a problem with adult ADD.

 

There are so many things that I should be doing:  cleaning the house, laundry, packing for my next flight, paying bills, going to the post office.  Well, I think you probably get the idea.

 

But I haven't been able to channel my energies and get focused.  Instead, I've been talking on the phone with friends and playing games on the computer.

 

Thanks to a dear reader who sent me to this Gap site to play around with the animated strip show.  I've changed outfits a couple of times now, and it's been occupying way too much of my time.

 

Technorati Tags : flight+attendant

 

 

What's for Dinner Tonight?

I'm home from a very long day of flying.  It wasn't supposed to be so long, but mechanicals happen.

 

Now, I'm hungry.  Starving, to be exact.  And after looking in my refrigerator and cupboards, I haven't a clue about what to fix.  I have all the staples, and a refrigerator with tons of left overs.  So why is it so difficult to decide what to fix?

 

Cooking by the Numbers to the rescue.

 

You enter the ingredients that you have in the house into their lists, and voila!  Out come ideas and recipes.  This is perfect for when the gourmet cooking juices aren't flowing, or when you're in a rut about the stuff that you've been eating.  Or, when you've put in a long day at work and are so tired that you can't think straight, but now that you have to eat --- and soon!

 

These aren't gourmet dishes by any means, but they are simple.  And that's exactly what I needed to decide what to have for dinner tonight:  Chicken Casserole with Bacon and Mushrooms.

 

Technorati Tags : flight+attendant, travel, food, cooking

 

 

 

 

Independence Air Will Cease to Operate

It looks like one of my predictions for the year is destined to occur before the week is out:

D.C.-based, low cost carrier, Independence Air, announced today that is will cease operations on Thursday, January 5th.  The last flight will be #1777 from Westchester County to Washington-Dulles, departing Thursday at 7:26 pm.

The failure of Independence Air to emerge from bankruptcy is, unfortunately, not surprising.  I just thought it would take a little longer.

Passengers who disregarded the impending doom of Independence, and are holding tickets for travel after January 5th, have a couple of options.  These range from changing plans to travel before cessation of operations, or hope that the bankruptcy court approves a plan allowing for an automatic refund of the ticket price.  After that, it's a matter of standing in line with the other creditors.

There are lessons to be learned from the Independence business model.  The question remains, will anyone get it?

 

Technorati Tags : travel, airlines, flight+attendants

New Year's Resolutions

Since it seems to be a rule that you must make resolutions and share them with everyone, here are mine:

 

• Appreciate and enjoy the love and friendship of the people closest to me.  Life is all about relationships, and I'm blessed to have some wonderful people around me.
• Add more variety into my workouts.  I like what I do, but know that I will reap more benefits, and be less bored, if I look for ways to invigorate the routine.
• Visit at least two states that I have not been to.  Part of my continuing quest to visit all 50 states.
• Blog more regularly, and with more quality.  I'd like to see the number of visits increase by 10% each month during 2006.
• Learn a new skill.  I've always believed that if you're not learning and growing, you're just dying a slow death.  I'm not sure what skill I want to tackle:  learning a new language, trying something creative, or maybe just mastering a few advanced computer skills.

What are your resolutions?

 

Technorati Tags : flight+attendant, travel, resolutions

6 Airline Predictions for 2006

What I think we'll see in 2006:

 

• Reduction in flights to smaller cities.  Sadly, it's no longer going to be possible for airlines to provide service at such a loss.  I think we'll see first a reduction in the number of flights, and then total elimination of service.
• An increase in the add-on fees to the price of a ticket.  Advertisements will continue to tout the "low-cost" ticket prices, but when you look at the add-on fees, that low-cost is just not going to materialize.
• More airlines charging for inflight food and beverage.  What was once complimentary is no more.  Those that haven't eliminated food all together, will start charging for it, and I expect to see more airlines following the example of charging for a Coke.
• More airlines filing for bankruptcy.  With so many carriers in bankruptcy already, it's hard to believe that there's room for any more.  But there is.  And we'll see it.
• At least one airline will not survive the bankruptcy wars.  The most likely candidate at this point is Independence Air, but there are others whose hold on solvency is just as tenuous.
• An airline success model will evolve.  The successful carrier will be one that provides its employees with a strong compensation/benefit package, charges ticket prices commensurate with what it costs to do business, operates in a strongly ethical manner, and is proud to brag about the way they do business.  (OK, so maybe this last one is just a dream!)

 

Technorati Tags : travel, airlines, flight+attendants