Training - Week 2

In the end of week 1, beginning of week 2, we learned all of the safety features of the second aircraft, the E190.  It was much easier to learn because we already knew all of the equipment.  We had plenty of CBT's (computer based tests) and MSV's (motor skills evaluations) on the emergency equipment.

Next we learned how to "arm" and "disarm" the doors to the aircraft and how to open/close them.  Arming a door activates the emergency evacuation slide.  Every time we take off, the doors have to be armed and each time we land, they have to be disarmed.  Flight attendants do not open/close the aircraft doors unless there is a very unusual situation.  There are simulators where we practice each of the tasks and we have exams on the simulators.  The MSV exams are really stressful because if you mess up even a litle bit, you fail and have to do it again.  I

We spent a little time (like 2 hours) going over in-flight service, went through the safety demo and learned about the different stages of flight, including our responsibilities during each stage.

Training - Week 1

The first week we learned all about 1 of the 2 different types of aircraft that the comany operates, the A320. We had to memorize all of the emergency equipment, where it is located on the aircraft, and how to pre-flight the aircraft.   Before every flight, we have to check the emergency equipment for location and functionability. We have in class instruction, online courses, and then get into the simulator to see how it looks.

Pretty much every morning, we have a computer based exam and then we have a motor skills test, which is where we get on the simulator and have to show an instructor exactly how we would pre-flight the aircraft.

Hours are really long. We catch the shuttle just before 8 and have been in class every day until at least 6pm. They provide us with lunch each day and the hotel provides free breakfast.  When we get back from class, I spend the evening studying and go to bed around mid-night.  Our only day off each week is on Tuesday.

Not quite the blast I thought training would be, but for the most part I really enjoy all of the people in our class.  I have a pretty good time chatting with the two guys who sit next to me in class too, although we get in trouble at least once a day for talking haha.

Training - And it begins

The first day of training, the newbies for each department were all together:  pilots, ground ops, airport operations, corporate and in-flight.   We were told all about the company and all of the top executives came to speak to us.  I was well into day two before I fully accepted that I don't have to go back to the office tomorrow or ever again.  Crazy how you get used to something for so long, when it changes, you can't belive things are going to be different.

Anyways, it sounds like this company really goes above and beyond for their employees and customers.  Maybe when I'm done being a flight attendant, I will transfer into the corporate offices.  It'd be great to keep the flight benefits and continue my financial career.

The second day we discussed what the schedule will be for the next month.  It is going to be pretty intense.  We have a dress code, our hair has to be pulled back all the time, girls must wear blush/mascara/lip stick all the time.

Things I'm sad and not so sad to leave

Sad to leave:

-         A lot of the people I work with

 

 

-         Thursday lunches with my grandparents:  It’s one of my favorite things each week
 

-         2 of my favorite clients:  I really enjoy the work I’ve been able to do for their families
 

      -         My boss:  she is such an inspiring person.  I really don’t know how she’s so intelligent, personable, pleasant to be around all the time, and such a VIP in our company all at the same time!  I could go on and on about the reasons I admire her, hope I can work for someone similar in the future. 

-         Donut Fridays!!!
 

-         Giving Frank a hard time and playing pranks on him… wait till he sees my last day prank!  I can’t wait!

-         Going to the gym with my co-workers at lunch

-         My office:  I have a nice big office all to myself, although it gets lonely sometimes, I like it

-         Having a parking lot downtown:  It’s so easy to walk to the bars!!

 

Not so sad to leave:

-         Working 9-6 every week.  It really cuts into my fun time!

-         Days in the office when I don’t see another sole

-         Being alone a lot:  Having an office has its advantages and disadvantages

-         Compliance training haha

The Grass is Green Everywhere!!

People always tell me “the grass isn’t always greener on the other side”.  I think they miss my point.  I don’t think the grass is greener elsewhere…. I think the grass is green EVERYWHERE and I want to see it all!! 

On the boat back to the main island from Iona in 2009, I remember standing on the top deck, looking out over the icy, misty ocean.  The sky was beautiful, a feeling of friendship abounded throughout the boat and the joy in my heart at that moment is unexplainable.  As I stood up there, looking over the water, I thought “This is what I want my life to be about.  I want to live a life full of adventure; this is what I was made for.”

And it is. 

A little background (2 of 2)

So here I am.  I work for a really good firm in my home town, I have supportive and encouraging co-workers, the work is interesting and challenging, and I make good money.  However, even with all of this, I can’t get rid of this overwhelming desire to travel, find adventure… I want More.
 

And then it happened.  A friend randomly messaged me about a one hour application window with her airline.  Wow, I’d always joked about wanting to be a flight attendant, so I figured why not apply and see what happens?  In reality, I thought there was no chance they would even interview a tax accountant… one look at my resume and I would be finished.  I was wrong.  Out of thousands of applications, I was one of 19 to get an offer.  WHAT???? 

 
I promised myself that over the next several months, I would apply to other professional jobs and if something worked out within my industry, I would take it and forget about being a flight attendant.  In July, a position opened with my current firm in DC.  Perfect!  I know how to do the work, I like the company, and I Loved the people in the DC office. 
 

I applied for and got the position!  So stoked!!  This would be my perfect mix between adventure and professionalism!  I was prepared to turned down the FA job, started looking for places to live, and began working through the logistics of moving while having a long distance relationship… Then, for one reason or another, everything fell through and I wasn’t able to take the position.  Ouch.

 
Sometimes doors in life open so easily and you’re meant to walk through them.  Other times the road is difficult and you have to trudge your way through to get what you want.  As scary as it has been, I can’t help but feel like this is the door I’m supposed to walk through.   When the day came to give my boss my two weeks’ notice, I was terrified and scared about what the future holds, but in my heart there was an incredible peace, knowing that I’m making the right choice. 

A little background (1 of 2)

A little background on me:

I grew up in Apopka, FL with my parents and older brother.  I feel like I’ve always been pretty responsible, aside from a few years in high school that were filled with sneaking out, lots of drinking and skipping class on a regular basis.  I worked 2 jobs during my senior year of high school.  After, I signed up for community college and found a full time job at a wealth management firm.  When I transferred to the University of Florida, I found jobs that were more flexible and allowed me to work on my own, but somehow, work always found me.  I’m very thankful for that and for the time that many people spent helping me along the way.  I’m what some people would call a busy body; I have to be doing something all the time.  At UF, I got involved with every organization I could find, I volunteered, I lead study groups, I went to every weird and different event I could and I loved every moment of my time in Gainesville (ok, my parents and best friend might disagree – I was pretty miserable my first 6 months up there, but we’ll skip over that part).

Thanks to the advice of my boss at the wealth management firm, I decided to major in accounting.  Why?  Because I’m capable of doing it and let’s be honest, no one likes accounting, i.e. I will always be able to find a job!  After undergrad, I continued on to get my Masters in Taxation from UCF.  And let me just tell you, that’s a fantastic conversation starter at the bar… “what is your major” “tax accounting” “oh…..”.  In reality, I actually enjoy tax accounting, I think it’s interesting and finding the answer to tax questions is like solving a puzzle.  After 3 great internships and passing my CPA exam, I landed my first job in Orlando at one of the best wealth management firms in the country (thanks again to a previous boss)! 

What a perfect, responsible life!!  Ok ok, it’s not all been responsible and boring, I’ve had some amazing adventures too!  I traveled to New York City for spring break to work with the homeless community, took a pilgrimage to Iona, Scotland with a group of strangers, spent a summer leading camp on an Indian reservation in Oklahoma, and traveled alone in Europe for a month.  With each of my adventures, which some would call crazy, I have realized more and more that I love traveling, meeting people, learning about cultures and finding adventure!