Skydoll123 AT yahoo DOT com
-
Recent Comments
Ben Booth on Crew life: Crash pad graf… Nicole on Flight attendant buddy passes … chellie on Saudi Arabian Airlines flight … chellie on Saudi Arabian Airlines flight … Abdulwahhab on Saudi Arabian Airlines flight …
Dear Heather,
I am one of the very many people who spent $$$$$ on an education in hopes of a career in the travel industry. I attended Pacific Travel School in Santa Ana CA in the mid 80′s. Hurrah! It took me 6 years to payoff my student loan. I worked for a travel agency for about 2 months and quit. Instead, I raised 4 beautiful and amazing boys and perused a career as a Fitness Instructor. Now, after working for the university in my city for the health education and sports sciences department for the past 10 years I am ready for a change. Well, I could tell you my age and that’s my question. Do airlines hire flight attendants who are 50 yrs young? Recently I met Pilot who, just by our first conversation, reminded me of my long ago dream of becoming a flight attendant. I want it! I want him too, but that’s another story. I really want to finish my life high. Pilates and Zumba has kept me young and healthy. Can you give me some encouraging news?
You should go for it! My mother did. She was in her forties. I need to interview her for an upcoming Galley Gossip post. Until then, start applying!
The CONTINUE READING jump for the May 5 post does not work. I’m left hanging and can only guess abou tthe rest of your exchange with this twit. Please… Thanks you.
-C.
Thank you for pointing that out! It should work now.
Heather,
I am going on an AE flight attendant interview in a few days. I am SO concerned about my weight. I know they say all you have to do is be able to walk down the isle and fit in the FA jumseat harness… and I believe I will be able to do that (I am a size 18). I have over 20 years of outstanding customer service experience and am extremely dedicated to safety. If they like everything else about me, do you think that my weight will hold me back? Any encouragement or advice? I already have a lap-band … should I mention that? I’m thinking no… I would be interesting in knowing what you think about this please. Thanks.
Dear Heather, I found your blog by accident, and have been having a great time reading various responses to posts about rude passengers and Airline staff.
Way back in the 70`s I was on a overnight B.O.A.C flight from LHX to JFK,
There was one passenger who insisted on being loud, obnoxious and keeping his light on when everyone else was trying to sleep, The stewardess (as they were back then) seemed to have the patience of a saint and got a silent cheer from all the passeneger when, serving dinner, she “accidentally” managed to spill red wine on his suit, The wonderful sweetness in her voice when she said “ohh i am so TERRIBLY sorry!” was a joy to behold.
As a passenger yes i do listen to instructions, turn off my phone stow my carry on above my seat and *Shock Horror* even say please and thank you!!!! Something which seems sadly lacking in so many the last time i flew, One noticeable aspect in so may of the replies were “it`s my right to recline my seat etc etc”, yet none seemed to mention their responsibilities, par for the course these days
Dear Heather,
Thank you very much for your reply and advice with regards to being hired as a flight attendant, very much appreciated! I am very flexible with regards to the base where I am sent, have the ability to take the earliest training date available and will be grateful to accept any starting salary which I am offered. Once I am hired and have completed my training, I will be beyond words, I will be so thrilled to receive my first assignment … I have applied to 13 airlines thus far here in the United States and am just getting warmed up… Thank you again!
Kindest Regards,
Samantha
samantha3@gmx.us
Heather
I ran across your blog via an article on CNN’s webiste. You and your fellow workers need a big thank you from everyone that flys. Customer service is job #1 for flight attendants and I seldom see the appreciation expressed for your work.
So you have my thanks for taking the time to help with that overhead bin, work with passengers who are difficult, are always cheerful and smile even during and after a “endless” flight, keeping the aircraft clean and tirelessly work at providing a pleasant cabin environment/flight experience.
Patrick
Really appreciate the packing tips; been doing it for years and always looking for newer/better/faster/lighter : )
Would love tips for TSA regulation ziploc packing for 10 days! That could be a 2nd video! I have trouble fitting everything in mine and I’m not a big products girl. Can I have a separate ziploc for each carry-on (i.e. one for my handheld and one for my carry-on bag?)
Thanks for taking the time to blog!
Dear Heather,
I was looking for a flight attendant who can answer my question and right then, your website popped up. Could you please answer this question: Do flight attendants know passengers name and information like where a particular passenger is heading? Is it possible to find a passengers phone number if they are desperate to contact?
I would truly appreciate your insight!
Thanks
Serendipity
Hi Heather! I can’t believe I stumbled onto this very fun blog of yours!.I don’t know if you remember me, from Man Beach Citi, I was the branch manager.. I remember your baby when he was born:) He is a hoot!( saw the videos) And Neil looks just the same. Please email me-@syeda.hashmi@cnb.com would love to catch up.
btw, I have to read your book!!!!
Heather’s book must be >hot<! The Amazon link on her book page for "customers also bought": http://www.amazon.com/Polar-RS300X-Heart-Monitor-Watch/dp/B001W93YDS/ref=pd_sim_b_1
Kevin
Hi Heather,
I’m 23 years old, just finishing University (I’m Canadian) and I was wondering, how do I go about becoming a flight attendant? I’ve tried googling it, but all i get is, go to this school, or do this training, or oh you don’t need school, it’s so confusing and hard to find a legit place. Also, would I be able to work for a Canadian airline, but work out of Detroit (airport)? Do people do that? Please e-mail me if you have time, i’d love to talk! Thanks,
Clara
The only way you’re going to be able to work out a particular airport (At some point in your flying career) is if you work for an airline that has bases at that airport. That doesn’t mean you can’t commute from a city of your choice. Just make sure that city has frequent departures to your crew base. The first thing you need to do is apply. Do so directly to each airline. Go to their websites and look up employment opportunities. Even if the airline is not hiring, it doesn’t hurt to apply so they have your application on file when it does start hiring. Good luck!
Hi, thanks so much for getting back to me! So I can just apply to airlines anytime I want? You don’t need specific school, or do the airlines do their own training?
-Clara
Hi Heather
I also live in Cali. I commuted to NY for over 3 years. It wasn’t the greatest thing but these days your lucky to have a job. I was on reserve for 7 months. I had a 1 bedroom crash pad that I shared with 6 people. If you have no desire to travel on your own time for free or cheap then this isn’t the job for you. I have almost 8 years now and I still love my job.
Dear Heather!
I live in Europe and i dream about becoming a flight attendant since i was 9 (i’m 18 now). I speak 4 languages. The only thing that scares me is the low pay US flight attendants get. I was wondering if european flight attendants working for major airlines such as AF, BA or Virgin earn more than the US FAs? Do you have any infos? Unfortunately i can’t find any website wich has information about the EU FA salary and most of the staistics are based on the US salary. By the way i love your blog and you are really pretty! oh and sorry for my english lol.
Thanks,
Andrei
Hi Heather!
I’m starting my inflight training on January 16th. The Company gave me some basic information, on what we would need to pack and so forth. They ask that we purchase heels that are no higher then 2 inches. I am having a hard time finding some that are under this requirement and the ones that i have come across were not very comfortable. Do you have any suggestions on which brand or website i should look into?
Ann Marie Blalock posted this version of The Night Before Christmas on a Facebook page….thought all airline folks might get a kick out of it:
‘Twas the night before Christmas, and out on the ramp,
Not an airplane was stirring, not even a Champ.
The aircraft were fastened to tiedowns with care,
In hopes that come morning, they all would be there.
The fuel trucks were nestled, all snug in their spots,
With gusts from two-forty at 39 knots.
I slumped at the fuel desk, now finally caught up,
And settled down comfortably, resting my butt.
When the radio lit up with noise and with chatter,
I turned up the scanner to see what was the matter.
A voice clearly heard over static and snow,
Called for clearance to land at the airport below.
He barked his transmission so lively and quick,
I’d have sworn that the call sign he used was “St. Nick.”
I ran to the panel to turn up the lights,
The better to welcome this magical flight.
He called his position, no room for denial,
“St. Nicholas One, turnin’ left onto final.”
And what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a Rutan-built sleigh, with eight Rotax Reindeer!
With vectors to final, down the glideslope he came,
As he passed all fixes, he called them by name:
“Now Ringo! Now Tolga! Now Trini and Bacun!
On Comet! On Cupid!” What pills was he takin’?
While controllers were sittin’, and scratchin’ their head,
They phoned to my office, and I heard it with dread,
The message they left was both urgent and dour:
“When Santa pulls in, have him please call the tower.”
He landed like silk, with the sled runners sparking,
Then I heard “Left at Charlie,” and “Taxi to parking.”
He slowed to a taxi, turned off of three-oh
And stopped on the ramp with a, “Ho, ho-ho-ho…”
He stepped out of the sleigh, but before he could talk,
I ran out to meet him with my best set of chocks.
His red helmet and goggles were covered with frost
And his beard was all blackened from Reindeer exhaust.
His breath smelled like peppermint, gone slightly stale,
And he puffed on a pipe, but he didn’t inhale.
His cheeks were all rosy and jiggled like jelly,
His boots were as black as a cropduster’s belly.
He was chubby and plump, in his suit of bright red,
And he asked me to “fill it, with hundred low-lead.”
He came dashing in from the snow-covered pump,
I knew he was anxious for drainin’ the sump.
I spoke not a word, but went straight to my work,
And I filled up the sleigh, but I spilled like a jerk.
He came out of the restroom, and sighed in relief,
Then he picked up a phone for a Flight Service brief.
And I thought as he silently scribed in his log,
These reindeer could land in an eighth-mile fog.
He completed his pre-flight, from the front to the rear,
Then he put on his headset, and I heard him yell, “Clear!”
And laying a finger on his push-to-talk,
He called up the tower for clearance and squawk.
“Take taxiway Charlie, the southbound direction,
Turn right three-two-zero at pilot’s discretion”
He sped down the runway, the best of the best,
“Your traffic’s a Grumman, inbound from the west.”
Then I heard him proclaim, as he climbed thru the night,
“Merry Christmas to all! I have traffic in sight.”
LOVE IT. Mind if I share on my blog? Do you have a blog I can link back to?
Most Airlines will let you wear Danskos. True they are not attractive but they do work. Then you don’t need flats for the plane.
Hi Heather, on your site you have a graffitti like painting of an airplane, its two canvas’ that compbine to make one picture. Any idea where to buy this from? Please email me at gzimmerman@suncor.com, thanks.
I just wanted to congratulate you on the publishing of you book! Outstanding! You and I work for the same airline and it’s always inspiring when you learn of a coworker who has found success outside the airplane. Thank you too for all you do to teach the public about our work and therefore garner their respect for our profession.
Chris
DFW
you sure are purtee,…LOL
Hi Heather,
My name is Thomas Henry and I am the owner of Apartment Locators in Eden prairie, MN. You would be an excellent guest on the Dennis Prager radio show. His show on Friday called ‘The Happiness Hour” would be great for you. I heard you this morning on KQRS Morning Show in Minneapolis and when you mentioned on how one person can just ruin your day because they’re probably miserable everyday in their own lives is so absolutely true! I thought you were a great guest and plan on getting your book…. Have a great day!
:)
Thomas Henry
Yeah
Let me tell YOU about checkin in you bitches at hotels. Stop whining and go to hell.
Whoa, that’s not very nice.
Once your passengers land, they go straight to some hotel, where they drive the poor people who work in them, like my friend Henry, crazy. In Henry Edward Fool’s book: Trial By Guest, he tells how unbearable and unbelievable your passengers, now hotel guests, can be. Of course, when they are finished messing with Henry, you have the pleasure of seeing them a second time.
Pretty funny. I’d read it!
Thank you. If you enjoyed it, please recommend Trial By Guest to others. At EstuaryPublications word of mouth is pretty much everything.
emma moonsinger
I saw you on Fox and Friends. You’re very entertaining. I don’t fly much becuase of my extreme phobia of flying, but if I do I hope you are working on that flight. Maybe I’ll get a laugh or two rather than sweating and having my hands gripping the arm rests, (like it would matter, if the plane went down).
Good luck on your book, I’ll be sure to buy one.
Hi
My name is johan i am 12 years old and i live in Norway.
Yes i might be young but that does not mean i travel alot.
I heav travel to Canada, China, Mongolia and Thailand many times.
The point is for me it is important too be nice vith the cabin crew on evary flights and i have experienced that some may be good but on some planes like Lufthansa cabin crew can be very unfair.
But i have always behaved well against the cabin crew on any flights and that shuld evary one too.
Mrs. heather Poole. Someone on Collarme.com, a fetish/bondage site, is using your picture and representing themselves as a female submissive from Bensalem, PA. I would like to inform you of this fact, in the event you are not the poster. hotwf4you is the profile at collarme.com
You can view the profile here….
http://www.collarme.com/personals/v/597700/details.htm
You can get the picture removed here….
http://www.collarme.com/personals/stolen.htm
Thanks for the heads up, Mike. I’ve contacted the website. They make it difficult to remove a photo. Of course it takes no time at all to put one up. GRRRR.
At 62 I think I have the right to call you, young lady. Your beauty is all the more exceptional because it comes from inside. I am much more aware of how bad life is for those starting out in your profession now that I have read your wonderful book. You filled me with laughter and tears. I am a medically retired firefighter and I am in awe of what you do. I am trying to think of a way to tip a starving FA without giving her the wrong idea, or making her angry. I don’t believe I have ever been a bad passenger, but I was never as appreciative of the flight crews as I should be… As we all should be! Thank you all for being what you are, and doing what you do. I know what it is like to lay it on the line for the general public. Thank God for the ones who were, even as they were suffering extreme loss, pausing to let us know we made a difference. YOU make a difference! Again, thank you…
Gary
Heather,
I admire all of your stories and your profession so much!! I am 22 years old, married, no children, finishing college and very determined to pursue my dream of becoming a flight attendant… I am working as an engineer right now, because that’s why I am going to school for, but to be honest, it is not my passion. From the very first day I was on a plane, at age 6, I knew I wanted to be a FA… Circumstances did not allow me to go for this dream until now because of many reasons: I was born and raised in Cali, Colombia, for 17 years until I moved to the US five years ago to finish high school. I was on a student visa for the first three years and, thus, I did not have many choices as far as choosing schools and majors; I had very limited choices and none had any relevant aviation-related careers… But now that I am almost ready to get my degree in mechanical engineering, I am also ready to pursue my real dream and make the best of it. I am not here for the money and I am not even concerned about it, as compared to those who choose money over dreams. I am very happy that my husband supports me on this new journey and cannot even describe to you how much I love aviation in general… I truly believe I was born to be part of this exciting career, and I know my mission on this life is to make the best of it and give the best of me to the world. Any advice is greatly appreciated, as I need it now more than ever before… Especially because I would like to know where to start… My engineering internship ends next January and I am planning on working as hard as I can these next months to be able to make it to my dream… Thank you very very much for all your help and for your amazing stories!
Best regards,
Clara
PS: I truly respect and admire all the hard work that is done by the flight crews and everyone who works in this field!!
Heather,
Just finished reading your new book that I won via chicklitisnotdead.com. I thoroughly enjoyed it! As a private pilot and retired air traffic controller, I can sure relate to the regulations you have to follow, and how that affects your “customer relations”, shall we say. With all the incivility you have to put up with, I’m surprised you’ve stuck with the job so long for such little pay. The chapters on your training and the crash pads were very insightful. Thank you for what you do, despite all the crazies you encounter. FA’s should not be treated as waitresses, as our safety in the air may depend on you. I salute you!
Dave
Hi Heather,
I really enjoyed your piece on AOL entitled The Real Life of a Flight Attendant. Good luck with your book! I just released my own book too. Take care.
Sebastian Cole
Thank you! I’ll check out your book.