Day In The Life Of A Flight Attendant Part 2

I had  a week off of work last week so I decided to spend some time  at VA Beach.  During my time there I went on a 14 mile run with a good friend Saturday morning. We had a lot of catching up to do so it made the miles go by fast.  
 
 
The following week I had to go back to being a flight attendant. This was probably one of the most trying weeks I've had in a long time. It was suppose to be an easy day with a show time of 12:45 pm.  I was to start in Philadelphia go Cincinnati then back to Philadelphia.  We then would have a 3 and a half hour sit before our next flight to Watertown NY, so plenty of time to get food. On our way back from Cincinnati there was weather coming into the Philadelphia area and we didn't have enough fuel to remain in a holding pattern so we had to divert to Norfolk VA to refuel and wait out the storm. We arrived at 7 pm. The passengers deplaned and I went inside to try and get some food. Because now there would be no time for food later. Of course the only place to get food quickly was closed. Guess I'm not eating tonight. And the weather never got better either. We didn't end up leaving Norfork until 12:30 am. 

What normally takes 40 mins to Philadelphia because of the weather took an hour and a half so we didn't make it in until after 2 am. Can you believe our company still wanted us to fly one more flight to Watertown NY? Luckily my Captain refused and said we are all fatigue we need a hotel.  It took our company another hour and half to find a hotel for us.  They said that the closest one was in Dover DE.  Really? Another hour and a half away. So we didn't get to a hotel until 5 am.  (That is not a typo). And we had to be up and back at it by 2 pm.  

Luckily we only had one flight to do so we were done by 7 pm. But the next day we had a 5 am van and worked all day. It just doesn't make sense. Get done at 5 am one day and the next day start at 5 am. 

We actually were on time that day so I got to the hotel around 1:30. I slept all day until 6 pm.  Woke up and ate dinner and still fell back to sleep by 8:30. Yes, I was exhausted. Had to get a good night sleep because our van ride to the airport the next morning was 4:30 am.

The next day we started in Rochester NY and fly to Philadelphia. Then we are suppose to do a St. Louis turn and be done for the day. We arrive in St. Louis with a maintenance problem and the flight cancels outbound.  We then have to ferry it (fly plane with no passengers because our restrictions are lower) to get it fixed to Milwaukee.  Luckily they didn't need a flight attendant to do this so I was able to take the next flight to Philadelphia.

Needless to say this work week has been very exhausting. With all these circumstances this has been the first time I can even remember going a week with out running/working out and I am not even injured. How long have you gone without working out?    -L

24 comments:

  1. Wow that definitely sounds like a crazy week! I'm sorry everything was so bumpy along the way, but I'm glad you had a chance to sleep...even if it was just a little bit! I love these glimpses into the life of a flight attendant! It's something I know nothing about so it's neat to hear/see what you do! Thanks for sharing!

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  2. Wow, I figured life could get crazy when weather issues affect plane travel, but I had no idea that you'd be having to work such long days (and nights) on so little rest! That is wild.

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  3. Blech, I am exhausted just reading this. What a nightmare rerouting. The travel aspect of a flight attendant seems so appealing but gosh the logistics....

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  4. Once again - all this just reminds me why I hate traveling. I can't imagine doing it for a living. Whew... more power to you girl!

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    1. Traveling can be so stressful. Sometimes I wonder how I do it too.

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  5. I have always thought being a flight attendant would be on one hand really fun, great chance to meet people and see new places. But I've also thought, it's probably one of the more trying jobs because your stuck in small spaces and never know who's going to be on the flight and what they might put you through. I never thought about the time though, that is crazy! But it makes sense, when thinks like that happen and it makes me feel for you guys even more!

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    1. Yes we put up with alot. Because you know we control the weather.

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  6. Kudos to you. We are frequent travelers and this gives me new appreciation for the pilot and attendants who work so tirelessly and graciously to make sure we reach our destinations safely.

    I hope you are able to get some good rest and get back to your workouts.

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  7. Somehow, I never realized you were a flight attendant. That sounds exhausting! Do you normally enjoy it? In some ways, it sounds like an awesome opportunity but in other ways I think it would be stressful.

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  8. Wow, that sounds like a crazy week. I had a work trip to Ohio and back last week and I'm pretty sure it was the same crappy philly weather that delayed my flight home as well... I was tired enough to miss 2 days of working out just from that, so I really give you credit for keeping up with your workouts on a whole with this type of irregular schedule.

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    1. Keeping up with regular workouts is such h a challenge with this job.

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  9. Wow. I cannot imagine! I got tired just reading this! I can see how it would have been impossible to get a workout in. I hope things calm down so you can get some running in. I always miss running when I take a break from it.

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  10. For a job that looks like fun, that doesn't sound like much fun. I hope your next assignment goes more smoothly and you get a chance to run more.

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  11. wow. that's really intense. thanks for this sneak peek into your schedule.

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  12. yikes, what a week! You are not making it sound very glamorous, LOL! Cheers to a better week!

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    1. Yes, definitely not glamorous like it was back in the day.

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  13. My mum was a flight attendant and I love hearing all her stories. The main thing that comes across is just how much hard work it is,

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  14. I hate when work gets in the way of working out! We recently flew with an airline we have never flown with before (4 flights total to get there and come back). I was amazed that none of them were delayed- thank goodness! All of the flight attendants on the fights were really nice too. I am a BAD flyer- super afraid and require lots of Ativan. I love when I see the FAs walking around confidently. It calms me down!

    I am glad the pilot stuck up for you guys and insisted you needed to get your rest. It is infuriating that the company couldn't see that.

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  15. Oh man, I'm exhausted just reading this! Flying can be so great, but when the weather decides to act up then it's a major pain in the butt.

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  16. I don't think us passengers realize what all you go through. But we do appreciate it!

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  17. Oh wow, exhausting reading about it! Glad you were able to catch up with your friend during the 14 miler. Hope the rain hasn't caused you too much delays this week.

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  18. I try to remind myself of this when I have a chaotic day flying: it's no easier on you guys and it's definitely not your fault when things go crazy. I hate when people take their own travel frustrations out on the flight attendants.

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  19. That does sound exhausting! I've always wondered how they schedule you...do you typically work with the same team of people or does it change all the time?

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