It's Official!
Mood:  happy
Topic: Airline Industry

I am now an official "Hard Line" holder!  Whooooo!  Yay!  (Does the happy dance).  Allright guys, get your minds out of the gutter!  Yah, you know who you are!

 Okay, some of you are sitting there scratching your heads and asking "What the hell is she talking about?"  A "Hard Line" is a schedule of flights that you can/have the opportunity to alter to make it a little more convienient for you to hopefully have some sort of quality of life with the days and times you fly as well as the days you have off.

Anywho, off I go to celebrate!

Well, another long gap between posts.  April was VERY BUSY for me.  First three weeks of work I put in 113+ hours of work and I was frankly exhausted when I left for vacation.  I think I slept for the first two and a half days.

 I wound up going to Florida to visit with family.  I saw my uncle for the first time in 20+ years and he looked great!  Didn't spend as much time as I wanted to with him because towrds the end of our visit I came down with a horrible migrane.  Said my farewells to my family there and then headed back to the hotel to turn in early for my drive to Daytona the following day to spend the rest of my vacation there and visit with friends.

I know what most are thinking, "Daytona?  Why the hell Daytona?"  Well, easy answer...friends that live there and really no space on flights to go anywhere else.

Time spent there was worth it.  I had a mini-condo right smack dab on the beach.  Great for people watching and access to the beach where I promptly piled on the sun screen and lay there like a beached whale.  Ended up having a reaction to the sun screen that made me look like an albino dalmation.  Big red patches everywhere I put it on.  I don't know what's worse, that or getting sun burned!

I went back to work on the 1st with a good set of flights but the first two days I worked with a reserve Captian that has no business working if he doesn't like to "work".  He wasn't at all fun to fly with, had this attitude of "I either get things my way or everyone's miserable!"  Also very errogant.  The flight that took us in to our overnight was very turbulent and he didn't take time or effort to brief me on flight time, weather conditions, etc.  I damn near hit my head on the ceiling of the cabin the turbulence was so bad!  When we checked in at the hotel he promptly got his room key, waitied for the First Officer and then headed to the elevator while I was waiting for my key.  No offer for a room check, didn't let me know what room he was in in case I needed to contact him.  Then, as I finished checking in he stood in the elevator with the First Officer and looked straight at me as I was headed for it and closed the door.

 The next day we were delayed leaving on our first flight.  The Captiain and the First Officer (both on reserve), were suppose to be finished (?) after they returned to base.  The First Officer's cell phone rang and he picked it up.  It was scheduling calling to advise he and the Captian that thier pairing was modified with another flight.  When the First Officer told the Captain about the call the Captain proceeded, in front of the passengers, to ridicule the First Officer for even answering the phone if it was Crew Scheduling calling.  You could tell the First Officer wasn't pleased at all to continue with this jerk.  I felt for him!  My opinion?  What an ASS that Captain was and I was more than glad to see him off of the rest of the pairing.  The new Captain and First Officer for the balance of my pairing were very pleasant and fun to work with.  Just goes to show that you do have to deal with some real schmucks no matter where you work!

Otherwise, I'm sitting here anxiously awaiting the bid schedule for June to finalize.  The question bodes, "Hard Line or Relief Line?"  The bid for the month could have me at a bid seniority of say 200 for the hard line bid and it winds up actually being 220 for relief!  AAAArrrrggghhh!  What a tease!  It's a little frustrating to say the least but at least I have had a line of some sorts since January.

Time to check the bid awards.  Keep your fingers crossed and I'll let you know what happens!

Mood:  lazy
Topic: Airline Industry

Just jotting a quick "Hello" to everyone out there!  Been relatively busy and that's a good thing.  Guess that explains why I'm being a little lazy.

Had eight days off recently but it was anything but time off.  Spent most of my time at home taking care of personal issues as well as number crunching for taxes.  Not to mention getting everything ready for the accountant.  Hopefully they'll find more deductions than I've come up with plus a few amendments to the past few years returns with the kids college tuition, etc.  I could really use the break this year!

I'm scheduled for vacation at the end of April and am still pondering where to go.  Ireland or swim with the dolphins in a warmer climate?  I'll come up with a decision at the last minute.  Spontonaiety is what I enjoy most.  Makes the adventure more fun!

Anywho, off to bed I go.  Had a real early show today, got to the overnite this morning, took a power nap, went out to eat with the crew, came back to the room and felt like doing pretty much nothing.  Still dealing with some issues but want to take my time in dealing with them.  It's going to take some time.

Until later!

M

Yes! This REALLY Happened!
Now Playing: Nanita - Rose Moore
I'm camping out in the crew room with the rest of my buds :::waves::: and had to take care of business in the middle of the night. I'm in the ladies room finishing up what nature intends and hear the door open, hear someone walk in the stall next to me and ofcourse think nothing of it. That is until...

....I hear this "splatter" on the floor from the stall next to me. I'm thinking "What the hell?!?!?" I look on the floor and see this, well... puddle forming. I think to myself "Oh no, this can't be!" It is! Someone's pissing on the floor. I quickly get out of the stall and look in to the stall where it's coming from. "Oh schnidt!!!!!!! It's some guy leaning his head against the corner of the stall pissing!

I quickly make my escape to the safety of one of the new lounge chairs and wake-up another camper in the process! They ask me what's going on. I proceed to tell them.

About fifteen minutes pass before "Mr. Sleepwalker" makes his way out of the ladies room and proceeds to walk up the the desk/microwave area and pulls out a chair and sits. We're sitting there watching him trying not to laugh and wake everyone else up. Lo and behold, "Mr. Sleepwalker" starts making the motions as if he was doing pre-flight system checks and then starts flying the plane. My fellow camper and I just sit there and whisper "Oh my God!" , and fight the urge to burst out in laughter!

We continue to be entertained for another 45 minutes before another camper, a Captian, unaware of Mr. Sleepwalker's actions heads off to take care of business. While he's gone, Mr. Sleepwalker then proceeds to leave his seat and head over to the Captain's chair and make himself comfortable. Captain comes back, see's Mr. Sleepwalker and tries to get him out of his chair. Mr. Sleepwalker wasn't having anything to do with it. He was having too much fun in his "other world". Fellow camper and I whisper to the Captian that he's sleepwalking and it's probably not going to do any good to try and get him out of the chair at this point. About ten minutes later Mr. Sleepwalker must have decided like Goldie Locks and the Three Bears that this chair wasn't quite right for him made his way to another area of the crew room and lay his weary head to rest.

Funny but scary at the same time!

Anyone else with sleepwalker story's to tell?

This chick is sleeping with one eye open next time I'm camping out in the crew room!

Who's Annoying?!?!?

I'll tell you who's annoying?  A friggen' Reserve flight attendant who has less time here than I do and think she knows it all!  I've been here for six months and I STILL don't know it all!  Sheit!  I'm still learning about the tricks to this side of the business on a daily basis!

While trying to take a nap today in the crew room this broad walks in and announces to the whole room "I'm here on ARC again!  Aren't you all proud of me?  Someone give me a flight now, I want a flight now!  I can't wait to get out of here!"  You know what sweetheart?  I can't wait for you to take your ass out of here too!  No amount of earplugs and eye pathes would do justice to block her annoying persona. 

Then she starts talking about trips..."Oh, and then I had this MHT turn!  Those people are so rude!"  (Thinking to myself..."They were probably so rude to you because you couldn't shut your friggen' pie hole!").

As she kept rambling on I had this pilot sitting next to me getting my attention "...pssst!  (whispers)  I had her on a day trip one time and I hope it was the last! (signals "nuts")."

Solution?  Put on iPOD and enjoy!  (grins)

The only thing I can hope is that the crews that I've flown with don't think I'm that crazy. 

Well, crew tracker just stopped by and wants me to come keep her company for a while.

Later

What To Say?

Did ARC yesterday.  Got assigned an overnight and a turn for today.  Just returned not too long ago and I'm chillin' in the bat cave.  I think I'm going to grow some roots in the new chairs here for the night.  I'm to friggen' tired to drag the bags to the shuttle are to go to the crew pad.  Wouldn't actually settle in until after midnight.

Off for a nice, quiet slumber now.

Tomorrow's  new day!

M

Here's more pictures that my daughter took of Prince begging.  The quality isn't that good because they were taken with her cell phone.

 

Not too sure if you can tell but his left paw is up.  Sure sign to me that he's begging!  :^)

M

My daughter caught this candid moment while I was eating breakfast.

Cat thinks he's a dog!  Yes, he's begging!  I'm suprised he wasn't drooling.

Gotta Love 'em!

M

"I Knew It!"

Monday's *Schedule:

"Airport Appreciation" - 1400 - 2200

* - Schedule subject to change without notice.

'Round and 'Round She Goes.......
Mood:  suave
Topic: Accomplished

.......Where she parks?  Nobody knows!

I went to the mall tonight to get my hair trimmed, a manicure and pedicure because my 6 month probationary exam and review is due and I wanted to be presentable to the Supervisor.  What the hell?  Took me  20 friggen' minutes to find a parking spot.  Around and around the parking lot I went.

Mission accomplished!  I felt better when it was all done and finished!

Now I'm sitting here sipping on a beer or two to relax after the mayhem.  It's nuts here!  People are yelling and screaming at each other over stupid parking spots.  Get over it!  And while we're at it......."Happy Holidays!"

Until Later!

Awesome Video
Mood:  suave
Topic: Airline Industry

Here's an awesome video on "YouTube" that a pilot made.  Makes you really think!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHLlus9AN6A

 Love the song as well!

M

Mood:  on fire

Oh yah!  "Oh What Fun It Is" to be traveling.  After some crazy weather yesterday I made it home late last night.  And what is it with bad weather and Thursdays lately?  For the past three weeks every Thursday it's been total weather caios!

Spent my last two days of on-call in the crew room.  Didn't fly!  A fellow F/A I graduated with was there yesterday and we started talking about the reserve schedules.  She says she LOVES being on reserve.  "I'm getting paid 80 hours for practically doing nothing!"  I'm the opposite, if I don't have something to do I go CRAZY!  Besides, I have bills to pay.  While I'm at it, could someone please explain to me why I was so tired after two days of doing nothing?

Anywho, getting home yesterday was like a crap shoot.  One of the flights I listed for was cancelled and they re-booked me with a connection through CLE.  I re-listed for the last flight out and kept my fingers crossed they wouldn't cancel that one as well.  As the day went on the boarding totals overbooked.  My hopes for going home dwindled.  Fellow F/A and I went for a walk and my not getting home came up.  She asked what I would do?  Even offered going to her place until I could get out today.  She looked at me and screamed..."I dare you to go with me to San Juan!!!!!!"  I lifted  my eyebrow and said "Your first mistake was to dare me" because I LOVE a challenge!"

We both ran to get a computer in the crew room before they filled up.  Damn!  One seat left with 16 NR's listed.  (sigh)  What else could we do?  Hmmmm....eyebrow lifted again.  Holiday party in IAH Friday!  Looked at flights going to IAH.  Not too bad.  Then we came back to reality.  We're in a weather situation!  Getting there wouldn't be so bad it's trying to get back!  (piffle)  Oh well, perhaps Italy in February!

The day went on, we all got released eventually and then went to the President's Club for a few drinks and chew the fat.  Here's just a sampling of our conversation that took place.......

"Two Months?"  LOL

"Six Months!"  LOL

"I was Best Dressed!"

"I was Most Supportive!"

"What am I?  Chopped Liver?"

Two of us on hold with Crew Scheduling at the same time....... 

"What's the deal with this new music?"

"It sounds like static!"

"No, it's The Weather Channel!"

"Whoa!  It's ringing!"

"It's STILL ringing!"

"Damn!  I'm on hold again!"

BTW, I did make it home!  Probably the last time home for the month.  Commuting is going to be next to impossible this schedule and the Holidays! 

More Later!

Mood:  chillin'
Topic: Airline Industry

Not much really going on right now.  Just got off of ARC.  Hanging out in "The Bat Cave" a.k.a. the crew room all cleaned up.  Most of you wouldn't even recognize me without my "War Paint" (make-up) on.

While serving my "Airport Appreciation" I accomplished completing my six month probationary exam and turned it in.  All I can do now is sit and wait for my Supervisor to schedule my appointment for my evaluation.  Keep your fingers crossed.  I'm a little anxious!

One more day of availability left.  I can only hope to be released at 18:00 for days off.  However, I have this sneaky feeling that it's not going to be that easy.  Weather is suppose to hit the fan and getting out of here means taking a crap shoot.  That's the way the cookie crumbles in this business.

Finally getting sleepy!

Good Night!

Calling It A Night
Topic: Airline Industry

Fellow F/A came in, we chatted,  had a cigarrette,  vented, feel a little better and decided to stay in the Crew Room tonight as opposed to going to that crummy "Trash Pad!"  (Aw Damn!  I'm getting a charlie horse in my left leg!  OOOOWWW!).

The Crew Room Christmas tree is being set up tonight and it sure is pretty to stare at.  I only wish the lights could go down so we could enjoy it more!

Surfed a few forums just to see what's up.  Nothing much in the F/A one except the Charter Operation's.  Pilots?  Lots going on and trying to keep up is almost next to impossible.

Checked my schedule.  Still nothing for someone who's on call for two days.  We'll see what's in store when I get up.  Bid packets for F/A's open the first week of December.  I'm anxious to see where I stand as far as even getting a relief line.  Keep your fingers crossed!  If not?  I'll still accept it.

Time to go to la-la land now and dream of better things to come!

M

Back in EWR waiting for a fellow F/A to arrive so we can hang out until she leaves on her trip tomorrow.

The past few days haven't been the easiest.  It's been very hard on me.  And now, if anything I'm feeling hurt, angry, irritated and just flat out lied to!  Guess I might as well just stamp "Clueless" on my forehead.  UGH!!!!!!!

I've had fellow F/A's ask me if I wanted to apply for the Charter Operation.  Honestly, I haven't given it much consideration because I'm still new to this aspect of the industry.  The deadline is soon and well, I need to have  my resume e-mailed to me here or I do it when I get home.

So, to my fellow crew members to whom I've flown with in the past, best of luck when you interview.  For those that make it there you will be missed.  Please keep in touch!

Off for now until friend gets here!