The Turn

Some airlines call them roundtrips, other's call them turns, but no matter what you call them they are the most desirable trips if they are worth good time.
Yesterday I had a rather easy trip where I just flew from STL-ATL-STL. I was only gone about 4.5 hours and didn't work that hard. Granted this shorter turn wasn't worth much in pay, its still nice to be able to go to work and come home in the same day. For those Flight Attendants working for the majors, a turn can consist of STL-LAX-STL. Worth about 8 hours of pay and still the same result.
These trips usually go senior and are for the flight attendants who don't really need the perdium as much but still fly for the benefits. At TWA we used to call them "Big Girl Turns", because the senior FA's held them and they only had to do them 8 days a month or so.
The difference between a turn as apposed to a 2-4 day trip is that the perdium on the turn is taxable where as on a 2-4 day trip it is non-taxable. All I know is that I like flying them and hopefully will be able to hold them in the future.
Until next time, enjoy your flying, fly safe and as always I support our troops.

JWH
CHQ/FA

Pillows and Blankets

Essential items for a comfortable flight are going by the way side. With people worried about germs and airlines not putting clean pillows and blankets on every flight, it has been easy for the airlines to leave these items off with practically no complaints. On my flights they do board a few blankets and I always try to do my best to keep them in an overhead where I know they are so I can distribute them to my passengers upon request. Pillows are not boarded on my flights. Again it's doing the best with what you have. The best flight attendants are able to make due with what they have to work with and then some. If you don't have a pillow to offer, perhaps a rolled up blanket will work just as well. It's all about ingenuity. As always thanks for reading and I support our troops.

JWH
CHQ/FA

Sitting Reserve

Although it's not the most desirable thing to do, sitting reserve is just part of the job. As a junior flight attendant more times than not you will be stuck on reserve for anywhere from 6 months to 6 years. Don't let this interfere with your desire to become a flight attendant. Yes holding a line gives you more control over your life and your schedule, but being on reserve is like a new adventure every month. You never know when you are going and you never know where you may end up. You still have guaranteed days off and some airlines have better reserve systems than others. Some airlines have rotating reserve where you are holding 3 months and sitting reserve 1 month. Other's you are on reserve until you become senior enough to hold a line. Some senior flight attendants I know intentionally bid reserve because it guarantees them the days off they want and allows more opportunities to fly to different destinations. When I was flying with TWA it allowed me to go to Paris and London, as well as Hawaii and the Carribean. None of these destinations would have ended up in my line as a line holder. It's all how you look at it. Yes I can't wait to hold a line again and get control over my schedule a little more, but the fact is, reserve is not as bad as it sounds. Have a great day, safe flying and as always I support our troops.

JWH

CHQ/FA

Days Off

As much as I love my job, I also enjoy my days off. For me it is a time to catch up on everything like cleaning, laundry, family and friends. Again, this career is a lifestyle, not necessarily a job. Your days off usually come in clumps of 3 or more. This spread for me was 5 days in a row. You can have a vacation practically every month with a schedule like that. Most Airlines have trips built in your schedule or reserve days off that allow for long stretches of days off at time. Reserves have days off guranteed to them, usually no less than 10 a month. Enjoy them, allow yourself to recover from the friendly skies, refresh your mind, and take the next trip in stride. Your days off are a time to use your benefits if you wish, travel and seem family or friends, or even stay entirely away from an airport, returning to your normal life. No matter how you spend them, learn to appreciate them. Until my next post, have a good day and as always I support our troops.

JWH/CHQ FA

Holiday Flying

Good morning all. Well the Holiday's are once again upon us and it's time for those of us who are junior to start thinking about flying over Christmas. This perhaps is the hardest time of the year for crew members. Being away from the family, alone in a hotel room, thinking about what we could be doing if we were with our families. For me it's not so bad as I don't have children who are expecting me there when they discover what "Santa" brought them the night before. But there's still a silver lining in flying over Christmas. Those passengers who fly on Christmas Eve and on Christmas Day seem to really appreciate you, the flight attendant for being there and showing up for work. I know that this is the time of year where call-off's are high, but before you do that please remember that we chose this career and all that comes with it. Some people are depending on us to get their loved ones "home for the Holiday's". I wish all flight attendants and crew members a very Merry Christmas and a Happy Holiday Season. And as always I would like to thank the Men and Women in our Armed Services working to keep our Country safe. Remember, they wont be home for the Holiday's either. Merry Christmas to them and a Happy Holiday Season as well. Return home safe.

JWH/CHQ FA

It Takes a Crew

Welcome to my own blog spot. I started this to share my own views and opinions on what I consider the most wonderful and rewarding career for me. Although most don't know quite what flight attendants endure for training, and then eventually on the job, there are those who do understand and often under-appreciate what it is we are really on board for. This however, is not a place to post negative messages about flight attendants, airlines, or crewmembers. If you have questions about becoming a flight attendant or perhaps any job in the aviation industry please feel free to post them. Thank You for stopping by and enjoy the blog.

Jason W. Hobbs

TWA/Chautauqua Flight Attendant