The Friendly Skies

I am so excited blogger peeps!

Sunset Over Delta

This is my first ever post from the road – gate D6, Salt Lake City airport – from Sexy Hubby’s HP mini (he was so kind to let me take it with me!) Since I firmly believe “everything happens for a reason” I am thrilled with my recent encounter. From right here in the airport. From one of my favorite “airport shoppes!” (Sad, I realize, that I know an airport intimately enough to have a “favorite” anything. It’s all about my incessant need to explore untold opportunities for new marketing experiences!)

Mistakenly, I first walked to the wrong terminal (in really uncomfortable shoes with all my bags in hand, didn’t check anything!) and as I was stepping off  one rolling walkway and about to turn immediately around and head back in the opposite direction, I spied a Flight Attendant. Not just any regular-run-of-the-mill-we-all-look-the-same-flight attendant, but a classic model. She was donning a bright red uniform and a lovely red hat! She was stunning!

I didn’t mean to stare, but I did, until she disappeared into another airport store. When my little trance was over, I turned around and made my way back to the correct terminal, grabbed “dinner” at the frozen yogurt counter and sat down to rest my weary feet and arms, and “people watch” as I ate…

A few minutes later, I saw her again, Miss Classic Flight Attendant. She strutted past me, and into my favorite airport shoppe – Zeta & Company. The stars were aligning, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity. Quickly I dumped my left overs and followed her.

Blogger Rule #2 (right after #1 everything is blog worthy), always have a camera on hand. I do. I walked right into that shoppe, found Miss Classic Flight Attendant and approached her.

“This is going to seem like a silly question, but I am a blogger, and I’d like to take your picture.” I said, semi-embarrassed.

“Oh sure,” she cooed, did I detect an accent??

“I love your uniform, I used to be a flight attendant…” said blogger.

“Who did you work for?” she asked.

“TWA,” I said.

“I used to be with Pan Am – we were the originals,” she said…a kinship was born, and we chatted for several minutes.

I learned Brenda (that’s her name!) has been a flight attendant for 40 years! Holy Crap! And honestly, she looked fantastic (I would guesstimate her to be in her 60′s?) especially knowing how hard flying as a career is on your body!

Brenda assured me I am not missing anything by not flying these days, as it “was much better in the old days!” (Side note: I hate that I am old enough for anything I have done to be considered from the “old days!”)  But she’s right, back when I was a flight attendant (circa 1986) passengers still dressed up to travel, as it was considered a treat! Also, smoking was allowed on the plane! Baby, we’ve come a long way!

My Flight Attendant Friend, Brenda

Brenda continues to do the only job she has ever known – even though she  wonders how much longer she will stay. Flight attendants across the board have taken hits with severe cuts to their pay, benefits and retirement – just like the rest of the nation.

But flying is a tough habit to break – and admittedly there are many times that I have considered (and literally dreamed) of returning.

Think I’ll heed Brenda’s comment – the best flying days are in the past. And if I’ve learned anything since 1986, I’ve learned to leave the past where it belongs.

Now boarding Zone 3…