The Truth Be Told

Initial Flight Attendant training is anything but ordinary.  Nothing can prepare you for the experience.  I made life-long friends during this time.  I also managed to piss off a few people enough to last a life time.  Where do I begin...?

It's all a blur of weight checks, proficiency checks (emergency equipment uses, first-aid, aircraft evacuations) all the things we are trained for "in case" something happens.  Interestingly enough we were shown a video on aircraft crashes the first day - three people elected to leave training after viewing that.  Really?  What did you think we were being trained for - looking great walking through the airport!  I guess it was to scare the bejesus out of the clueless people - or the ones who would freeze when the slightest thing went wrong.  It didn't get all of them out of the way.  Some managed to hid and are now flying the skies with me.

Ditching was a fun day - we got to jump in an unheated pool (it was December) fully clothed and climb into a life raft.  We froze our butts off - but that wouldn't compare to the real temps in the North Atlantic if we were flying to London.  And it would be in the middle of the night...  There's a reality check for you.

Emergency evacuations were truly a mind boggling experience.  There are "cabin trainers" that can mimic smoke, fire, landing gear failure in any combination.  You've never seen dark until you are in an aircraft cabin filled with smoke.  Trust me on that one.  The adrenaline was the ONLY thing that got me through that day.  But looking back, it was truly a bonding experience for all of us in the training class.  I have every confidence I can evacuate an aircraft - I just hope I never have to find out.

Graduation day was upon us then we were being thrown to the wolves in New York.  If we knew what was ahead, I don't know how many of us would have followed through with the dream.  The ignorance factor helped me stick it out.  Had I known the reality of my next 2 years, I may have only lasted a few months.  But 21+ years later, I am still here.  I'll have to be dragged down the aisle kicking and screaming to leave this life behind.

The real adventure was just around the corner...and is still alive and well with every trip.  Whenever I put on my uniform, I never know what is going to happen, be it good, bad, or down right hilarious.  I just try to keep an open mind and very closed mouth.