My First Pairing!! Nov 27

For some reason, I can't get this to post After the posting "My first flight"... agh

November 27, 2013

A pairing is just another name for a group of flights that you’re assigned to.  I walked through the rain to get to the airport this morning.  It was pouring.  My shoes, stockings, pants, face… everything was soaked.  I showed up in time for my 9am airport reserve report and stepped into the bathroom touch up my drowned rat look. 

9:02 I walk into the crew lounge and start to set up my things, expecting to post up for the day.  “Are you Danielle??  Someone was just calling your name, but they left, I think you’re on a flight”

Me:  “no way, it’s 9:03 and my report time was 9am and I was second in line to be called”  Look at my phone, I missed a phone call.  Seriously????

So here I am, on a 3 day trip and I’m the FA1.  The FA1 is the person who makes all of the PA’s and is supposed to be the lead, for the most part.  The positions (FA1, FA2, FA3) can be assigned to anyone, it doesn't matter your seniority or experience, it really just defines what your duties are.

Today we did 4 “legs” (aka flights):  Boston- JFK, JFK-Buffalo, Buffalo-Orlando, and Orlando-Buffalo.  12 hours.  It’s been a long day.  I swear fate is against me setting up this actual blog because that was my goal today during airport standby.

   

The first two trips had quite a bit of turbulence.  They were “express trips” which meant the drinks/snacks were limited to a small number of choices.  At one point, I was picking up trash and I had to squat in the aisle because it got so bumpy.  I was impressed how sweet people were to me.  One lady asked if I wanted to grab the seat next to her and an older gentlemen asked if he should grab on to me (in a sweet way, not being perverted… Justin).  We had 2 people throw up all over the back row and I was really thankful to be up at the front of the plane because it wasn't in my section.

I didn't realize how much the turbulence effected me until we got to Orlando.  I was so sick to my stomach and when I got off the plane I felt like I was still rocking.  Honestly, I've been at the hotel for 2 hours and I’m still rocking right now.  The other FA’s said I haven’t gotten my “air legs” yet and that once I get used to flying, I won’t feel like this.

To be honest, nothing really happens during the flights.  I know people have talked about how much flight attendants get hit on, but people don’t really speak to me at all.  A few older men make flirty comments, but besides that, I don’t talk to that many people because I’m pretty busy.

Tonight we’re laying over in Buffalo and I’m so excited it’s snowing outside!!  No one else in our crew seems to share my enthusiasm haha.  Oh well.  I’m still spinning, think I’ll head to bed.

Trees outside the airport.