Operating Experience

The time had come for me to take my first flight as a Flight Attendant in which a senior flight attendant would watch over me and make sure I was adhering to all policies and procedures, also known as an Operating Experience: the final exam.  I would be based at the Detroit metro airport (DTW).  This was my first glimpse into the reality of the life of a Flight Attendant, and it was nothing as imagined. The planes I would be working had only 50 seats and no first class cabin, their overhead bins are not large enough to fit your standard carry on luggage, they serve only small airports, and seem to have a mechanical issue more often then not causing delays and cancellations. I then knew that if I was going to make the most of this position I would have to take full advantage of our amazing flight benefits.  I paid the $50 to enroll in the flight benefits and immediately signed up my parents and my boyfriend.  This was when the fun really began.  About 10 minutes after I paid my fee I was on my free flight from DTW to GRB for the weekend.

Earning My Wings

October 27,2011

My name was called and I walked in front of the class with my head held high, my hair done in an up-do with more hairspray and bobby pins then I have ever owned, and my makeup carefully applied.  I was receiving my wings after three weeks of Flight Attendant training and I was about to embark on a career path many little girls had only imagined.  My life was going to change; I would be living a glamorous lifestyle filled with layovers in vibrant cities, hotels with posh amenities, and a new uniform that would allow me to cut security lines, fly for free on my days off, and earn me discounts in overpriced airport shops.  My instructor pinned on my wings and life as I knew it was about to change.