Q.  It seems like you’re always traveling, how do you manage to keep in touch with your family and friends?
A.  It may seem like I’m always traveling, but really, I have quite a few days off at home every month!
But, to get to your question, keeping in touch with people is important to me, whether I’m traveling and keeping in touch with people back home, or if I’m at home and keeping in touch with friends that I’ve made while traveling.  Since I’ve become a bit of a geek, most of my keeping in touch involved technology of one sort …read more

A question that I always get asked, and the answer is always different!
Q.  Where are you vacationing next?
A.  This is a question that every Flight Attendant loves to talk about, because there are usually so many places on our list of places to visit.
Here’s how my travel calendar is shaping up for the rest of the year:

October will probably be a long weekend in southern California (most likely Palm Springs, but possibly San Diego instead).  I have vacation time coming the end of the month, so there may be time for another short trip somewhere close to home.
In November …read more

Anther reader question having to do with the specifics of Flight Attendant scheduling.
Q.  What is deadheading?
A. In aviation speak, deadheading is a phrase used to position a flight crew member as part of their scheduled trip.  The term “positioning” is also used.
A Flight Attendant who is deadheading is on duty, that it, s/he is traveling on a particular flight under orders of the company, and is not a pleasure travel.  They may or may not be in uniform, that policy varies among airlines.  They will likely occupy a regular passenger seat on the airplane, although on some carriers they …read more

Today’s question comes from a PR representative that’s generously provided a number of prizes for contest giveaways in addition to being a great source of information in and about the travel and hospitality industry.  I’ll keep the identity anonymous.  Here’s the question –
Q.  Is there anything I can do (that might be more of a secret) to get a better seat/1st class?  I fly 1st as often as possible, but sometimes it’s just not doable.  I know it’s a silly question but I’ve always wondered.
A. It’s not a silly question at all, and is one that gets asked …read more

A very popular reader question is about how to break into the industry and get hired as a Flight Attendant. Today’s questions comes from Adrien, who asks:
Q. I’m a 28 year old male based out of Phoenix, Arizona. I’m interested in becoming a flight attendant. I have worked most of my life in the golf industry so I have plenty of customer service experience under my belt. I’m fluent in French so I would love to work for an international airline. I understand that this is a career where you don’t really get to choose what you want at first, …read more

Today’s questions comes from Hayley, who just can’t seem to believe that I can pack minimally.  Believe me, it comes with practice, and there are trips where it’s a real challenge.  Here’s Hayley’s question:
Q.  I can’t believe you can pack so light.  What do you take in your carry on?
A.  This varies based on whether I’m traveling for work or pleasure.  If it’s work, there are some additional things that I have to carry, and when I’m in uniform, I’m exempt from the no liquids rule.  Since most of you will need to be in compliance with the no …read more

I’ve seen a hotel room or two in my career.  Everything from a rundown dilapidated hotel, with no heat, but they’d send up a space heater, to lovely resort properties that cared about your every need.  So, today’s reader questions, from Marty, is one that is near and dear to my heart.
Marty asks:
Q.  I was wondering what flexibility you have, if any, in choosing what hotel to stay at?  I’m imagining that you probably have to stay at the airport location for whatever hotel chain that your airline has designated?  Is it the same chain in every city?  And …read more

Since one of the benefits of the job of a Flight Attendant is travel, the question for today is one that I get all the time.
Q.  Do you use your travel benefits?  Where do you go?  How often?  How do you decide?
A.  This is not quite as easy of a question as it might seem.  Much depends on how much time is available, the time of year, if I’m traveling with a friend, alone, or with a group of people, and, of course, the available budget.
For quick getaway weekends of only 2-3 days, that probably means sticking close to …read more

I recently received a question from a reader who signed his email simply D.  He has recently gotten to know a Flight Attendant, and was already experiencing how difficult it was working out schedules and locations.
He asks —
Q.  How do couples with a FA or pilot partner survive such a lifestyle in the beginning of their relationship as well as during their married life?   How are their schedules made?  Are they all made at the last minute depending on reservations?
A.  This is a great question!  Relationships with a Flight Attendant, and their crazy schedule, hours, and lifestyle, can be …read more

Now that I’m back from vacation, Flight Attendant Friday is back, too.  This is the chance to ask me any questions you’d like about what it’s like to work as a Flight Attendant, the processing of getting hired, training, what the job is really like, and the lifestyle of not having a 9 to 5 job.
Since I am just back from three weeks in Europe, this questions was bound to come up.
Q.  You seem to be traveling all the time.  How much vacation time do you get?
A. Ah, vacation!  I do love my vacation time.  I get 5 weeks …read more