It's been awhile since I posted, but that's only because life got pretty hectic at the end of training! We started out with 25 in our training class and 17 of us graduated. I had my IOE February 13-14. For those of you who don't know what this is, it is a training flight. Since we haven't graduated yet, we have to sit in a passenger seat in the cabin, but we perform all of the duties of a flight attendant on board the aircraft, except sitting in the jumpseat for takeoff and landing. If there is an emergency, the the Instructor is the Flight Attendant in charge and we assist them with whatever they need us to do.
For my trip we flew one leg the first day from DFW to MLI (Moline. IL), where we spent the night. When we walked out of the airport, there was snow piled up several feet by the side of the road. I've seen snow before, but this Texas girl wasn't used to seeing that, so it was a bit of culture shock! LOL
Graduation was wonderful. We got our wings, which made us official American Eagle Flight Attendants! We had the rest of that day and one more to "get our affairs in order," then it was off to Chicago!
Chicago is a great city, but there is a reason that it is called "The Windy City." On Saturday (Feb 19), I found my crash pad, got my CTA transit card and went exploring the city. It would have been nice if there had been someone to share it with, but I think that in the long run it was better to do it on my own.... Except for going off to college, I have always lived in DFW, so this experience was going WAY out of my comfort zone. It was a little scary, but it was also exciting and fun. It also gave me the opportunity to prove to myself that I could do this, and that feeling is very empowering!
Today is my first official day on the job! For those of you who aren't familiar with the airline industry, a flight attendant is "On Reserve" when they first start flying. What this means is that you are on call, so you fill in where you are needed. From what I have heard of reserve on other airlines, I really like the way that Eagle handles it. For the most part you pretty much know the night before what you will be doing the next day. You could be given a trip, or you could be on call...either way, there is a good chance that you will be flying. It is so much better that the airline I worked at previously!
I was scheduled to be on reserve today and tomorrow, I was given a two day trip, with one leg each day. This morning, we flew to Pittsburgh, and we are scheduled to fly back to Chicago tomorrow morning....if the weather cooperates! When we left Chicago, it was cold and rainy...and getting colder! We even had to de-ice the airplane prior to takeoff. There was quite a bit of turbulence on the flight...so much so that the Captain kept the seatbelt sign on for the entire flight. I was unable to do the beverage service, as it was unsafe to take the cart out, so I stayed in my jumpseat as much as possible.
Even with the weather issues, it was a good flight. I was really nervous, but I was blessed with a good flight crew, and except for the weather, it was an uneventful flight. I am really glad that I made the decision to go back to flying again. I didn't realize how much I missed it until I got on board the airplane again...it felt like coming home!
Monday, February 21, 2011
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Week 2 - Day 3
I aced my Comp Check today!! Now I am qualified to perform CPR and to use the AED on the airplane in the event of a Medical Emergency. With any luck, I won't ever have to call on my training, however, if something happens, my training will kick in and I will be able to do my job.
Today we learned about what to do in the event that we have to evacuate the airplane. Most people don't realize it, but a well trained flight crew can evacuate an airplane in 90 seconds or less. Most people remember what happened when the airplane had to make the emergency landing in the Hudson River. The combined efforts of the flight crew and their training saved lives and kept injuries to a minimum. We train for the worst and pray that we never have to call on the skills we learn.
Tomorrow we get to do the swimming pool drill. It's gonna be cold in there because of the back to back days of below freezing temperatures. Brrrr!!!
Today we learned about what to do in the event that we have to evacuate the airplane. Most people don't realize it, but a well trained flight crew can evacuate an airplane in 90 seconds or less. Most people remember what happened when the airplane had to make the emergency landing in the Hudson River. The combined efforts of the flight crew and their training saved lives and kept injuries to a minimum. We train for the worst and pray that we never have to call on the skills we learn.
Tomorrow we get to do the swimming pool drill. It's gonna be cold in there because of the back to back days of below freezing temperatures. Brrrr!!!
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Training Week 2 - Day 2
Yesterday, training was cancelled due to the worst ice storm Texas has had in years! I haven't even graduated yet, and I was already stuck in a hotel because of weather! Too funny!!
Today we got to go to training, and although we are a day behind schedule, like any good airline, we will be able to pick up the slack and still graduate on time. We started medical training today and tomorrow morning, we have our Comp Checks on CPR, Rescue Breathing, and the AED. We always hope and pray that we never have to use this training, however, if we do, it becomes so ingrained in us that we can perform it automatically. As a Flight Attendant, we have to be prepared for the worst and hope for the best so if there is there is a Medical Emergency on board the aircraft, we can respond accordingly. We are the "911" in the sky...
Today we got to go to training, and although we are a day behind schedule, like any good airline, we will be able to pick up the slack and still graduate on time. We started medical training today and tomorrow morning, we have our Comp Checks on CPR, Rescue Breathing, and the AED. We always hope and pray that we never have to use this training, however, if we do, it becomes so ingrained in us that we can perform it automatically. As a Flight Attendant, we have to be prepared for the worst and hope for the best so if there is there is a Medical Emergency on board the aircraft, we can respond accordingly. We are the "911" in the sky...
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Training - End of Week 1
I survived the first week!!!!
The past five days have been really busy, though... Getting up at 5 am every morning is a big change for someone who has always been a night person! But, I am doing it, because that's what it takes to follow my dream!
This week we learned Basic Indoctrination, which is the phases of flight, and many other things that a Flight Attendant needs to know in order to perform the duties required. We also got fitted for our uniforms and learned our initial base assignments... I am going to ORD...that's Chicago O'Hare for those of you who are not familiar with airport codes. I love Chicago, but for right now, I really want to be based at DFW, so I am putting in a transfer request. Please keep your fingers crossed that it will go through quickly, so I can get back to Fort Worth!
Today, we had our first test and I suffered a severe case of Test Anxiety this morning before we took our exams. I made a 96 (you are required to make 90% to pass). I am glad that I passed the test, but the two questions that I missed were stupid mistakes, especially since I KNEW the answers. I decided that I need to slow down, and take my time and think before answering...also, I need to go with the first answer that pops in my head when I read the question. (If I had done that this morning, then I would have made a 100.)
After the test, we had a computer class to learn some of the basic things we will need to know, such as signing in for trips and finding out flight information. We also started learning the emergency equipment on the aircraft, and did our fire fighting training before we finished for the day.
Graduation is February 16...and it will be here before I know it! It seems like it is so far away, but with all we have to learn and study, it will be hee before I know it!
The past five days have been really busy, though... Getting up at 5 am every morning is a big change for someone who has always been a night person! But, I am doing it, because that's what it takes to follow my dream!
This week we learned Basic Indoctrination, which is the phases of flight, and many other things that a Flight Attendant needs to know in order to perform the duties required. We also got fitted for our uniforms and learned our initial base assignments... I am going to ORD...that's Chicago O'Hare for those of you who are not familiar with airport codes. I love Chicago, but for right now, I really want to be based at DFW, so I am putting in a transfer request. Please keep your fingers crossed that it will go through quickly, so I can get back to Fort Worth!
Today, we had our first test and I suffered a severe case of Test Anxiety this morning before we took our exams. I made a 96 (you are required to make 90% to pass). I am glad that I passed the test, but the two questions that I missed were stupid mistakes, especially since I KNEW the answers. I decided that I need to slow down, and take my time and think before answering...also, I need to go with the first answer that pops in my head when I read the question. (If I had done that this morning, then I would have made a 100.)
After the test, we had a computer class to learn some of the basic things we will need to know, such as signing in for trips and finding out flight information. We also started learning the emergency equipment on the aircraft, and did our fire fighting training before we finished for the day.
Graduation is February 16...and it will be here before I know it! It seems like it is so far away, but with all we have to learn and study, it will be hee before I know it!
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Training - Day 1
Up at 5:00 am this morning. Breakfast in the restaurant and then we got on the shuttle to take us to the Flight Academy.
We had orientation, then filled out LOTS of paperwork, and learned about benefits, grooming standards, and lots of other important information. We also got our schedules for the first week.
Tomorrow, we receive our manuals and begin learning what we need to know to be a successful and effective flight attendant.
After training I made a WalMart run and worked out in the fitness center. It sounds a little boring, but it was really a pretty full day...we really had to get all of that admin stuff out of the way...
I am not used to getting up this early, so I shouldn't have any trouble falling asleep tonight...getting up at 5:00 am again tomorrow and the fun begins!
We had orientation, then filled out LOTS of paperwork, and learned about benefits, grooming standards, and lots of other important information. We also got our schedules for the first week.
Tomorrow, we receive our manuals and begin learning what we need to know to be a successful and effective flight attendant.
After training I made a WalMart run and worked out in the fitness center. It sounds a little boring, but it was really a pretty full day...we really had to get all of that admin stuff out of the way...
I am not used to getting up this early, so I shouldn't have any trouble falling asleep tonight...getting up at 5:00 am again tomorrow and the fun begins!
Monday, January 24, 2011
First Night
Checked in to the hotel this afternoon and met my roomie. Helen is from the Chicago area, and we have discovered that we have lots in common...including the fact that we were born in the same month and year...except she is 10 days older that me! Guess I'm not gonna be at the top of the seniority list... LOL
We have a study room with a TV, refridgerators and microwaves on another floor. Several of us met there and then went to dinner at the restaurant in the hotel. We had a really good time and I think I will enjoy my training experience. I have a feeling that I am in the early stages of making some new friends that I will have for a very long time!
I'm going to make this post short and sweet as it is a little after 10 and we are getting up at 5 am so we will have time to eat breakfast before boarding the shuttle to the Flight Academy. Tomorrow is the first day of the new adventure that will be my life as a Flight Attendant!
We have a study room with a TV, refridgerators and microwaves on another floor. Several of us met there and then went to dinner at the restaurant in the hotel. We had a really good time and I think I will enjoy my training experience. I have a feeling that I am in the early stages of making some new friends that I will have for a very long time!
I'm going to make this post short and sweet as it is a little after 10 and we are getting up at 5 am so we will have time to eat breakfast before boarding the shuttle to the Flight Academy. Tomorrow is the first day of the new adventure that will be my life as a Flight Attendant!
Sunday, January 9, 2011
The first step....
Well, I did it! I am now counting down the days until I begin the next chapter in my life...becoming a flight attendant (FA) for a major airline.
On Monday, I turned in my notice at Sam's. It was harder than I expected, but I managed to get through it without totally breaking down. I did shed a few tears, though, and David was really great! Deciding to leave Sam's was a hard decision, but I feel like it is the right thing for me at this point in my life. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time there and will miss my friends and co-workers.
Training is scheduled to start on January 25th, so I am in the process of "early packing." For me, that means getting whatever shopping I need to do out of the way and making preparations to be away from home during my three weeks of training. If I understood correctly, we will be off on Sundays, so maybe I can come home and sleep in my own bed on Saturday nights...and maybe spend some time with my cat, Max, who will miss me.
We should find out our base assignments the first week of training, and I am keeping my fingers crossed that I will get DFW. This is one time where being old is a good thing because seniority is everything in the airline industry. There is an excellent chance that I will be one of, if not THE oldest person in my class, so if there are any spots available at DFW, then I may be able to get one. For those of you who are kind enough to read and/or subscribe to my blog....please keep your fingers crossed and remember me in your prayers!!
I will try and update this as much as possible as I go through training. There are one or two of you who want to know "all of the details," so I will do my best to accommodate you. There is lots to learn, and I will have to spend a great deal of my "spare time" outside of class studying, and making sure that I get as much rest as possible. Many people are under the misconception that a FA's main function is to serve drinks and snacks in-flight. Actually, the primary function of a FA is the "safety and security of the passengers (PAX) aboard the aircraft." For this reason, we have to learn things like the use of all emergency equipment aboard the airplane, evacuation commands, and first aid. So...during training, there will be no partying for this girl...I'll save that for after graduation!
We should find out our base assignments the first week of training, and I am keeping my fingers crossed that I will get DFW. This is one time where being old is a good thing because seniority is everything in the airline industry. There is an excellent chance that I will be one of, if not THE oldest person in my class, so if there are any spots available at DFW, then I may be able to get one. For those of you who are kind enough to read and/or subscribe to my blog....please keep your fingers crossed and remember me in your prayers!!
I will try and update this as much as possible as I go through training. There are one or two of you who want to know "all of the details," so I will do my best to accommodate you. There is lots to learn, and I will have to spend a great deal of my "spare time" outside of class studying, and making sure that I get as much rest as possible. Many people are under the misconception that a FA's main function is to serve drinks and snacks in-flight. Actually, the primary function of a FA is the "safety and security of the passengers (PAX) aboard the aircraft." For this reason, we have to learn things like the use of all emergency equipment aboard the airplane, evacuation commands, and first aid. So...during training, there will be no partying for this girl...I'll save that for after graduation!
That's all for now. It seems like two weeks is a long time, but I know that the time will pass quickly. Making a major life change is always a bit scary, but it is also exciting. There is no doubt in my mind that I am on the right path, and I am looking forward to embarking on this "Airline Adventure!"
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