Flight Attendants

I've never had such rude flight attendants in my life. It's an 1100am flight- not early by any means. This actually wasn't even my first flight of the day either. I have been up since 6am.

So.. Like I said- not early. I can't possibly be the only person on this flight that ordered a drink. I'm still on a mini vacation or heavens sake, a single bloody mary is not going to cause a ruckus. Nor will it get me belligerently drunk. Doubt it would even give me a buzz. So I remember my please and thank you's and ask politely for one. No problem, she didn't ask for ID, which I found slighty offensive, but whatever that's her issue if she wants to get busted for selling alcohol to a minor. (I am far beyond legal age by the way). So this gals little flight attendant buddy gives me the hairy eyeball. I just smile and remember my thank you.

After they serve the rest of the cabin they come back to pick up garbage. I am only half done with my drink. I haven't downed it, I'm savoring the flavor and clearing my sinuses because of the spices in the mix. (and yeah- vodka is numbing the aches and pains of this wreched flu). So I hand over the empty miniature vodka bottle, my empty pretzle bag, and my empty can of Mr & Mrs T's Bloody Mary Mix- I smile.. To which I am greeted by a woman practically snatching the damn things out of my hand, followed by yet another hairy eyeball. Oh snap.

Now here lies the biggest deliema- do I say anything and risk her flipping out on me and me getting dragged off the airplane in Seattle for "assulting" a flight attendant, or do I just sit back and take it? I run through how the phone call to my mother would be-

"Hi mom- uh.. Can you come bail me out of jail?"

"what?! Now what did you do!?" (as if I am some horrible child who is always in trouble)

"they say I assulted a flight attendant"

"damnit Jessica, you need to learn to keep your mouth shut"

"mom, you don't understand! She gave me the hairy eyeball because I ordered a drink at 1145 in the morning!"

"what did you do that for?"

"multiple reasons.. I have a sinus infection, and beginning of the flu, I've been up for a while, I'm from Alaska and as long as the sun is up I can drink, and because I was thirsty."

*click*

So I sat here finishing off my delicious breakfast.. And they come back around to collect more garbage. She asks the people next to me if they would like anything else to drink, when it's my turn (I have yet to finish my bloody mary) I smile and say no thank you- she then double checks to see if I'd like some water! WTF.

I am NOT drunk off of less than 1oz. Of vodka lady!! Lay the fuck off it.

I've seen better cusomer service skills from a rock.

All I can think of is she;

1) Hates her job

2) Hasnt had sex in a while

3) Wishes she was hot like me (jk)

I just don't understand.

On the upside, my now empty drink has accomplished exactly what I wanted it to do- I've stopped coughing up a lung, my ears finally popped, and I can breathe out of both nostrils.

Jessica-1 Ak Airlines-0

It's been rough

It's never a good thing when planes crash. It happens to be one of my biggest fears that I have yet to overcome.

I think, on average, we lose one every year.. and it sucks to say the least, but for the most part (which doesn't make it any less painful) we don't really know them. We have the occasional transient plane go down after getting fuel here and misjudging the distance to the next stop...and needless to say, they don't make it. It sucks, and it's always a sobering reminder to love those around you.

This year however, we've taken a hit to the heart. January we lost one of our daily mail planes off of Sand Point, AK. Ameer and Emily didn't make it.

That was my first crash and loss of a friend that I'd ever dealt with, and I spent weeks crying and freaking out every time Mike got called on a flight.

Eventually, I was able to get back to my daily tasks, and embrace my job and everything that goes along with it.

Earlier this month the Coast Guard crash off the coast of Washington state happened. We knew all 4 guys on board. 3 of them died in the crash. Once again, reality set in and I just had to keep on keepin' on. Eventually you find your groove again, but it never really escapes your thoughts.

Then, Friday happened. I got to work at 0700. I was sitting at my desk doing my morning routine, and listening to all the float plane traffic starting their morning. The weather was shitty for a July day, so we were in a special for weather. Between the morning phone calls, I just happened to be listening when I heard it...

"uh... 911 is reporting that witnesses have called in a plane below the tree line, that it went down in ward cove..."

My heart sank. I know these guys personally that were out flying. Everyone went into check mode and they located the aircraft. Everyone checked back to company, everyone except Josh.

The rest of the day is a blur. We lost him that day, and I think the whole town was affected, and even some of the manliest men I know, cried.

Ketchikan Pilot Killed In Crash

July 23, 2010
Friday

Ketchikan, Alaska - A Ketchikan pilot was killed in a float plane crash north of Ketchikan Friday morning. Josh Murdock, 38, was the sole occupant in a 1959 DeHavilland Beaver owned by Pacific Airways of Ketchikan that crashed at about 7:30 a.m.

Josh Murdock, 38, was the sole occupant in a 1959 DeHavilland Beaver owned by Pacific Airways of Ketchikan that crashed at about 7:30 a.m. this morning.
Photo courtesy Alaska Department of Public Safety

Alaska State Troopers, North Tongass Volunteer Fire Department, U.S. Coast Guard and officers from the Ketchikan Police Department responded and located the plane.

Witnesses reported the plane clipped some trees, causing the plane to lose its right wing before crashing. The plane was found on a grassy knoll off of the Tongass Highway in the Ward Cove area. The plane was en route from Ketchikan to Thorne Bay when it crashed on the property of the old Ketchikan Pulp Mill's grassy knoll about seven miles north of Ketchikan.

Photo courtesy Alaska Department of Public Safety

The Federal Aviation Administration, National Transportation Safety Board and State Medical Examiner's Office have been notified of the death. The NTSB will take over the investigation to determine the cause of the crash.

Photo courtesy Alaska Department of Public Safety

Source of News & Photographs:

Alaska Department of Public Safety
www.dps.state.ak.us

Today I tried to go flying after work. We made it as far as the mountains when it started to get a little bumpy. I broke down and started crying, asking Mike to take me back to the airport. I just couldn't do it, not yet.

One day I'll be able to move on, but I'll never get over it. It's been a rough year, and my job is taking it's toll on my heart and soul. I love it, but losing people I know just isn't what I signed up for.

Dear Pilots;

I'm aware of the fact that you live on coffee and cheap food. I've noticed that this makes you have to go to the bathroom quite frequently. Remember that one time when you were rude to some poor girl at an FBO? Well all these 'one times' add up to a full day of rude people. I have now solved that problem- please take notice of the toilet paper dispenser in the restroom, for it has been loaded in such a way that when you go to grab some TP, you can only pull off one square at a time.

You're welcome.

Sincerely,

The FBO girl.

A glimpse of summer

It's been beautiful here in KTN the last few days. What happens when it's not pissing sideways rain? The planes start droppin in, and I get busy! Very very busy.


So busy, that I started this post over a month ago and I'm just now getting to it!

So we all know how much I love my job. No, that isn't me being a sarcastic asshat; I really do love it. I get so busy, and it's high stress, which I apparently handle quite well. Some of the others around here get all flustered and look like they want to cry half the time, but me? Oh baby, bring it on.
Take this morning for example. It's almost noon as I write this, and I've been here since 0630 this morning. I've made 12 pots of coffee, and billed out 11 fuelings/planes. I've handled and received freight, worked up 4 airway bills, entered 3 trucks of Jet A, and also made 4 more reservations for jets coming in this summer. I've made hotel reservations, car reservations, and even set up a fishing charter for one crew. To some, it looks as though I've been running around the office like a chicken with my head cut off...but to me, I live for this shit. :) I can't wait until Saturday; 12 pistons, a global express, 2 lear 45's, a G5 PLUS our regular daily Alaska Airlines planes, and ACE. Some people think I'm crazy for wanting to work that day. It's even my day off, but I switched with one of the gals just so that I can partake in the crazies.
Bring on the summer, and bring on the planes!

FAA says "Drugs OK!"

So recently the FAA decided that it is now okay for pilots to take certain antidepressants and still fly airplanes....

Of course, they have to come clean about being depressed, and can't fly for a few months while the FAA scours their medical records and deems them safe to fly. (could take up to 6 months)

Yeah. Right. Like anyone in their right mind is going to "come clean" and lose their job in this economy for 6 effin months just so some guy can say, "ok buddy...Prozac is a good choice for you, and you can have your job back".

Personally, this is just about the dumbest thing that I have ever heard of. First of all, the FAA is a bunch of people making rules and regulations about flying airplanes, and I highly doubt that any of them (who actually come up with these rules) have ever flown a plane. It's like the blind leading the deaf.

I feel bad for the pilots who have been lying about their depression and use of antidepressants just to keep their jobs! I think half the world is on Prozac, and fuck...I'm pretty sure the other half should be; life might be a bit easier if the world up'd their serotonin levels. (then again, a natural remedy to this would be to just have sex...but there are obviously people out there that this would be just too damn hard to accomplish, so they may need a little happy pill)

But in the end, this is just another one of those things where some moron who was suicidal and happened to have his pilots license ruined it for everyone else. The way I see it, it's no different that if someone decided to use their car to run themselves into a brick wall and took out a few other people in the process. Does that mean that DOT should make a law that says, "oh...if you take this medication, you can't drive a car until WE check you out! Who gives a rats ass about your job and family that you have to support!"

Sounds stupid right? Well that's exactly what their doing to pilots.

It's a new day

We have an unfortunate saying around my office; "It's a new day."
Basically, if you hear that, I'm sorry to tell you, but it means that you my friend, are a complete idiot..

We say that because no matter how long some of the ramp agents have worked here, it's like every single day seems to be like their first day on the job. No common sense, no work ethic, and pure lack of any type of light bulb moments.

Now, I'm really not one for name calling, but I just can't really help this one. My philosophy is that you are here to work. If you don't want to work, then go the fuck home and don't' waste my day. I am growing ever so tired of telling people the same damn thing over and over, every day.
Yes, ACE is with prist. Just like it has been EVERY DAY SINCE THEY FIRST STARTED LANDING HERE FOR FUEL. Yes, Empire is with prist , ALWAYS. As with Guardian, and the Coast Guard Helicopters. It's one of those light bulb moments I was talking about. Seriously.
If you don't want to fuel an aircraft because it's pissing sideways rain? GO HOME. We live in Southeast Alaska, it rains all day, everyday. If you are afraid that you are going to melt, please let me explain that your body is in fact made up of 45-75% water (depending on how fat you are)- you are NOT made out of sugar! So put your big girl panties on, and go do your JOB, which is FUELING AIRCRAFT. Because for me; it is NOT a new day.

Another thing, if I tell you to go sump, or fuel, or park a plane, it's because it needs to be done and you are the only ramp agent standing there with a lost look on your face. I will assume that you are looking for something to do..and I will give you something to do. Do not in response to my request, start throwing a temper tantrum like my 4 yr old. Also, screaming that you don't have to listen to me because I am not your "mom", "girlfriend", or "boss" doesn't help the fact that I truly don't give a rats ass. I dispatch you, period. And oh by the way, I come to work to get away from my children, not babysit you and tell you how to do your job.

*sigh*
It's a new day.

Cut to the chase

I'll just come out with it. Yeah, I'm dating a pilot, and yes, it's probably against company policy to do so...but I haven't really looked. I think somewhere in the 'code of ethics' it says we are not allowed to fraternize with customers/crew/pilots. Of course, this is also the same company policy that says in my job description that I am required on a regular basis to "finger, and handle" upon request. Take that last part how you want.... we all know I did.

Of course, I would like to clarify that I'm not dating him because he's a pilot. I'm dating him because I love him. I'm 100% confidant that I would still be with him even if he was unemployed.

Now, since I work with pilots all damn day long, I get a LOT of grief over this part of my personal life. It isn't like as soon as someone walks in the door I'm like, "I'm dating a pilot!" Uh, no... Opposite really... but like I've mentioned before, I spend hours with the same guys every day. It just gets out.
In all actuality, sometimes it bothers me that he's a pilot. It definitely isn't a 'safe' job by any means, and it doesn't help that he recently gave me a book on flight physiology... and oh by the way, when I asked him if he'd ever taken an altitude chamber ride, the convo turned into how the learjet is notorious for pressurization issues. Yeah, great. Super. So, not only do I get freaked out that he's going to become hypoxic and crash into the side of the mountains, I also get to worry that the lear is just going to *pop* and he has like a minute and thirty seconds to drop it down to a lower altitude... which to me, isn't really feasible, considering that if he's going along at 38,000ft he's going to be unconscious in 12 seconds. great.

Rumor of the century; Pilots are whores.
Nah... not really. Most of them are actually really great guys. Besides, he isn't gone long enough to have an affair, so I don't need to worry about it.

I wonder if it's like a pilot fantasy to date an FBO girl...
Case in point; www.fbohotties.com This is a website dedicated to finding those 'hotties' and for pilots to post pictures of them. Might I also add, that yes, my boyfriend HAS in fact submitted a 'hottie' to this website. (and no, it wasn't me)

Well if it is a fantasy.... he's livin' the dream.