Issue link: https://www.cominghomemag.com/i/1541377
7 uestions with a FLIGHT ATTENDANT A behind-the-scenes look at life in the skies. The first face you see as you board a plane is that of a flight attendant. Greeting passengers with a friendly smile and relaxed professionalism, their practiced ease veils the fast-paced world of the cabin crew. With hectic schedules, unique challenges, and high demands, their day-to-day can be anything but ordinary. We sat down with Mark, a seasoned flight attendant now retired, to get an inside look at the job. 1. Why did you pursue a career as a flight attendant? I began my career as a buyer for a large department store in the late 1970s. It was a fun job, and I enjoyed being on the front lines of the fashion industry, working with merchants, and analyzing trends. I liked it so much that I eventually opened my own clothing boutique. Despite years of success, the 1980s banking crisis forced me to close my doors. Determined to reopen once the economy stabilized, I got into flying so I could travel to New York City and source items for the store. I planned to fly for two years but fell so in love with it that I spent 28 years in the galley. 2. Can you tell us about a typical day on the job? Whether I flew to Europe or South America, it was always an overnight flight. We'd usually depart around 7 p.m., so I'd prepare by taking a nap earlier in the day. Then, I'd pack my bags and get my uniform, passport, and other essentials ready. I liked to get to the airport a few hours early to meet the crew for a briefing and review safety checks and weather reports. During boarding, I'd greet passengers, help with luggage, and handle last-minute safety checks. Once in flight, we'd serve dinner—a choice between two hot entrees. Many passengers would forego dinner to sleep, but we stayed up all night to tend to them, clean up, offer water, and prepare breakfast. After landing, we helped passengers exit the plane before going through customs ourselves. The airline arranged transportation to a hotel, where we stayed for a 24- or 48-hour layover. It was a grueling schedule, but stops in Brazil, Paris, or London made it worth it. 3. What's your favorite travel destination? While I've had the pleasure of visiting many countries, my favorite destination is Brazil. In fact, I bought a condo there 13 years ago. Although I'm retired, I still have flight benefits, which means I can fly for free on an employee-only standby list. I travel back and forth as often as I can. Nothing beats the country's people, energy, and culture. 28 COMING HOME MAGAZINE