flight62

I started flying in 1987. I was unemployed, 23, and needed a job.

A friend at my gym was a recruiter for then Piedmont Airlines. He told me they were hiring a lot of flight attendants and if I was hired in early 1987, I would be sitting pretty. Intrigued, I applied, went to one of the cattle calls in CLT, and crossed my fingers. Sure enough, I was hired and I started my airline career with Piedmont Airlines in February of 1987.

In 1989 Piedmont merged with USAir. While not here to debate that merger, what it DID do was allow me the chance to live in many cities in the USA. I was based in DCA, LAX, and SFO. I enjoyed all the places I lived and continued to make lasting friendships. That time my life was all about the airline industry. My life revolved around USAir.

In 1992 I moved to NYC. I had moved to many ports for that special someone and decided I wanted to move somewhere for ME. So I chose NYC. At the time USAir had no base in NY so I tried all the area bases (PIT, PHL, DCA) before staying in PHL. It was easy to take the train.

In 1998 USAir changed it's name to US Airways to be more global, took order of a lot of widebody aircraft and new 320 family baby buses. At the time time we were managing the Trump Shuttle under the US brand and then purchased it. I was able to transfer to LGA in 1998.

I enjoyed my time in NYC and found myself learning more about me, but distancing myself from the industry. US Airways had suffered many hard times over the years and I lived with a lot of uncertainty. I made friends of many backgrounds in NYC and at times thought of leaving the industry.

But it gets in your blood. As we say, once the jet fuel gets in your veins, its hard to do anything else. The flexibility and time off fed my lifestyle. Seniority is king and I was starting to actually get some.

And then September 11 hit. I was in Manhattan that morning. My country, my city, my industry had been attacked. And in many ways, my lifestyle. The industry went in a tailspin and so did I.

After 12 years in NYC and not one but 2 Chapter 11's by US Airway, NYC was too costly. I had lost the passion for living there. I needed a change. So I moved to CLT.

Years later America West would merge with US Airways. The airline I knew, for better or worse, was gone. All US Airways as we knew it now could do was reinvent and survive. And survive they did.

Many will argue the merits of DP and the AWA team, but their conservative ways saved my job and set the tone for the merger with AA. I know in my heart US Airways was a heartbeat from closing the doors. Too many mistakes in the past 15 years, accidents, missteps along with 9/11 placed US Airways at the top of the most vulnerable of the majors to fail. I knew it, my coworkers knew it, the customer knew it, and Wall Street knew it. But too many times I and many of my coworkers would deny this and make excuses.

We had been warned for YEARS about high cost and the inability to compete on a world stage.

When it became clear that we were still in the situation and that we had to drop the LCC mantra and compete as a legacy, the pressure was on to find a partner.

Of course the rest is history and now I work for American Airlines.

What have I learned from my 28 plus years of flying, many mergers, and a changed industry? Here is my somewhat funny, serious, and sarcastic viewpoint not to be taken to literally or seriously.

1. I still love my job. Yes, being in the public eye can be stressful. Everyone has a camera and smartphone, so you must be on your game at all times.

2. It's still the best job in the world. I love my time off, time on, flexibility of schedule, the layovers, and the fact that every day is different. Who else can have breakfast in Manhattan and dinner by the Bay in SFO?

3.People haven't really changed. Just their toys and tools.

4. Food is out, Wifi is in.

5. Tight seats are tolerated but connectivity is King.

6. Being glued to the scenery from the window is out. Games and all entertainment glued into a tablet, computer , or cell phone are in.

7.Customers are more like commuters in a subway today. FA's take that personally.

8. Many customers (usually younger) could care less about a smile and/or hello. 30 year old and up customers DO.

9. Under 30's customers are more self sufficient. Over 40's want things like they remember when they were younger.

10. Customers complained about the food in 1987. Customers complain about NO food in 2015.

11. Most FA's were playful and professional then. Many are tired, burned out, and scared of another 9/11 today.

12. FA's suffer from a lot of contradictions. They are tolerant of so many but quick to jump to conclusions and bully if threatened. Many need to chill. Customers are our bread and butter.

13. FA's still like a kind face and hello. We hate to be ignored.

14. FA's like manners and a good sense of humor. The more wicked, sick, and dark, the better for me.

15. FA's are older today and more likely to take measures to protect their health (sitting down in turbulence) and have seen enough BS to not take it from anyone. See #11 and #12

16. Customers complain basically about everything.

17. FA's complain basically about everything.

18. Customers love to break the rules.

19. FA's love to break the rules.

20. Customers hate TSA and Customs.

21. FA's hate TSA and Customs.

22. Many customers see the FA's as the enemy.

23. Many FA's see the customer as the enemy.

24. Both need a 12 Step Program.

25. Both need a hug.

So I will continue to be the best Flight Attendant I can be and treat you with kindness, respect and most importantly, the way I would like to be treated.

My hope for the new American is that all employees will be put thru a refresher course on how to treat customers in a post 9/11 world. It never has been done and I feel important. It may not help many. Some will ride the union protection train and be rude and hateful till they die but many will digest and apply what they learn.

I grew up in this industry. I was 24 when I started...a baby. Insecure, immature, and all over the place. Today, I am 53, grown up, wiser, more compassionate, and less likely to take things personally.

I grew up with US Airways. Love her or hate her, she impacted my life and provided opportunities I never would had experienced had I not ventured into this industry, For this I am thankful and I say to US Airways....Goodbye, ole friend.