Bumps and bruises

Hearing:

Let me just say that fasting and flying do not go together - well not if your operating, if your a pax then YAY! Less work for us, cruel but true. We dont think 'hey, good for you' when you tell us your fasting, we think 'sweet, that's one I don't have to worry about till Iftar', or is that just the ramblings of a jaded FA?

And I am seriously jaded nowadays, I used to love the whole thing but now urgh! I mean one day I was operating economy and it was one of those flights where you know your going to be on your feet the whole time so from boarding the minute the call bell went off I went and spoke to that person - politely - and explained that the button was easy to press accidentally and could they be careful, but when I saw a kid sitting there and just hammering away at any button he could I smiled at the mum who couldn't care less and said hope you don't mind but... and took the handset out of the cradle and dropped it between the seats! I told her he could use the touch screen to watch videos and whatnot and if they needed anything she could use her call bell.

And those call bells can be annoying, they are not meant for service believe it or not, they are meant for medical problems if you need attention and cant move. But people use them for service which is fine, but I hate it when kids play with them, and it gets annoying to the other pax as well when they are trying to sleep and all they can hear is call bells going off. And just before you think I'm sooo bad I do have times where I love service, it depends on the people of course but its simple, a thankyou and a please from them will go a long way with me and if they smile they've made my day. Basic treat others how you'd like to be treated. Is that asking too much?

But I digressed...I meant to write about my LHR flight yesterday how I shouldn't fast on longhaul because it makes my brain foggy and how I kept getting all these bumps and bruises but now I cant be bothered - and yes in case your wondering I am fasting again today.

Enjoy your food and drink you lucky people...

A thirsty,
VP

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A close call...

Hearing: Ironic - Alanis

Ramadan Kareem everyone!

Yesterday I had a night flight to Bombay. Everything started out ok same as usual. We had just finished the service upfront when the Captain calls and tells us basically we are to turn around and go back to base because there is a problem with the hydraulics - a leak or something. I ran down the back and started helping with the clearance and putting everything away. I was yet again amazed at some of the pax today. Even after the Captain made a PA saying we were going back due to technical difficulty and we would be on ground very soon they kept asking for all sorts of stuff!! I mean hello?? You think the Captain would turn around if it wasn't something serious?

Anyway, once everything was secure the CM called everyone and told them again what was happening, what to expect (a strong possibility of landing gear catching fire and ground evacuation - GULP!), how much time was left, a few words of encouragement and then we had nothing to do but wait. Personally I wasn't upset, yes it was nerveracking but that's normal and anyone who says different is lying through their teeth. So I sat strapped in tight in my jumpseat waiting for the landing and going through different scenarios in my head.

Thank GOD! Everything worked out ok, but of course you knew that otherwise I wouldn't be typing up this post. The landing was surprisingly smooth though understandably we took longer on the runway to slowdown than usual. Thankfully there was no fire, no need for evacuation and it was ok - massive sigh of relief! We disembarked the pax and to top it off we had one lady sprain her ankle as she was stepping onto the stairs, luckily she wasn't carrying her baby at the time, and we got a wheelchair for her.

On the brightside we got to go home 'early' *grin*

VP

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Early Morning London

Hearing: birds chirping outside

Ive woken up really early this morning to sweet sweet rain!!! Its so nice. The sky is dark outside and theres this quiet coolness. I had to open up my balcony door and just breathe in the fresh air, its such a nice change from hot sticky weather and continuous heat.

Yesterdays flight was a nice one. I was working in business and we were full but the pax were nice. I had these two mates who were constantly teasing each other. One insisted the other was an alcoholic while he downed a bottle of red wine himself and the other insisted he wasnt while drinking a bottle of champagne! LOL! The flight had a very light load otherwise and crew kept going to other areas to chat and stay awake.

Unfortunately all my good work was undone after we landed. The ground staff at heathrow didnt realise which aircraft we were in (???) and didnt pull us in enough so the tail of the aircraft was stickingout into the taxiway!! Oooh the pax werent happy. We had to wait an hour before we were moved. And to make things worse everytime the captain made a PA he couldnt be heard. At one point i went upto the flightdeck to see what was going on myself and then instead of explaining individually to each pax stood upfront and told everyone what i knew. I couldnt make a PA since my CM had dibs on that and was feeling very territorial so i did what i could, i think the pax appreciated the gesture and were less willing to kill me as much as the other crew after that!!! LOL!

Still a bit sleepy so might crawl back into bed before wake up in 4 hours. Will leave the balcony door open though *grin*.

VP

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New friends, new projects, new perspectives

Hearing: PCD album

Just when it you think 'that's it I cant take anymore' things change. I've been going through a rough time recently, the past few days have been especially difficult and I've been trying to keep myself distracted as a way of dealing. Then things changed. An old work colleague of mine re-entered my life and we're slowly becoming friends. I haven't said anything about what I've been going through and despite that we've been having those conversations where everything is said seems to be directly for my benefit and to help me out. Someone up there really must be looking out for me and I feel so lucky.

Then another old friend who a while asked me a while back to build a basic website for him contacted me again to see if I'm still willing to do it. Naturally I said yes and that's given me a project to keep me occupied and its something I enjoy doing so all the better.

In light of everything I've gained a new perspective on life and people. I wont go all D&M on you but it enough to say that it fits in perfectly with who I am and has made me feel comfortable in my own skin again. I've still got a bit to work through but its not as daunting as it was.

Forgiving people and yourself is extremely difficult but very liberating. Leaving the past behind and the future in the future will save you a lot of grey hairs and wrinkles. Do what you can so you never have to wonder 'what if' and what's meant to be will be. Sounds logical right? LOL! Its one thing to accept it and understand it and quite another to live it.

VP

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Boeing Supy

Hearing: Wisemen - James Blunt

Yesterday i got called off standby for a turnaround flight. The only problem was that it was on a Boeing 777 which id never operated before. Id received the training but i hadnt had a familiarisation flight. I told crewing about this so they switched me from operation to observation and said they would get another crew.

Im glad i insisted on the observation flight, aside from getting familiar with cabin configuration, galley layout and service i had time to have a good look around at equipment location, the crew rest, pilot seat operation (in case of pilot incapacitation) and other stuff. Plus i got to sit in the cockpit for landing...WICKED!!! There is nothing like watching a landing from there - except maybe flying the aircraft yourself.

A pretty hectic flight. Loads of kids a huge mess at every bulkhead and one of the ovens didnt work delaying the service as they had to go back and reheat. The galley incharge was beside herself, she was relatively new so i went into help, turns out her crew werent helping out like they should. I mean the galley is supposed to be organised and have everything ready but they could see she needed help and still they dumped everything on her, poor thing. In the end it was ok, the CM knew that she tried hard and didnt give her grief about it. Hope no one who flys has to go through the same thing.

Always
VP

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A royal engagement

Hearing: Tv noise

Its another short London for me. This morning i headed into the city to pay a visit to Buckingham Palace. Every year during the summer months they open up state rooms for public viewing while the Queen is in Scotland holidaying.

14pounds a long cue, lots of waiting and an audio guide later i finally began the tour of the 19 rooms. People were everywhere, and it seemed to be a popular thing to do for the mid 30's and up. There were a few young people here and there but i could count each one.




Photography wasnt allowed so sorry guys, these photos are only from the grounds of the Palace. Entry through security was like going into the american embassey back in Sydney, no water was allowed in, nothing in your pockets and no large bags. The audio guide was really good, not lengthy or tiresome but succinct and provided clear facts.

The rooms are normally in use so it was interesting to see them from that perspective. From another it was like a museum or art gallery. The attention to detail, the pieces of artwork collected by several monarchs through the years; It was definately an experiance seeing where everything happens up close. By far my favourite room had to be the music room.

Im flying home tonight sept 11...ive got goose bumps.

VP

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This is a bit extreme.

Hearing: Crew chatting

Im on my way to LHR, its an early morning flight and our CM being out of the ordinary has let the crew read magazines or newspapers. Ive been going through one of the local papers to the sandpit and other than finding that their reporting skills are pretty bad i came across some interesting articles.

Saudia Arabia, being one of the most religious and strict countries in the gulf region, is changing its laws once again. This time its to put a stop to expat co-ed schools. There are approximately 150 schools which will be effected. Their reasoning is that people living is Saudi should respect the religion and this is part of it. So now the only co-ed institutions are those run by diplomatic missions. Personally i understand that religion in the gulf is a big deal but i also think that a co-ed school is important especially for expats, all their kids cant possibly go to embassy run schools.

Did you know that in Islamabad, Pakistan if a woman is raped, under Sharia Law she must provide 4 witnesses to be able to prosecute her attacker (wtf??) If she cant then she risks being conviceted of adultery, a "crime" which can be punishable by death. The article i read says there is a new bill being proposed and 'they' are trying to push it through to protect women. Since the article didnt provide any details on how, im a little skeptical, but its a step in the right direction. Im not ignorant of such goings on in the world and i know there is a lot worse but its still a shock everytime.

VP

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Do the Khartoum dance...

Hearing: Out of my mind - James Blunt

What a flight! I have to say I enjoyed this one. The people are so colorful and friendly though as most other pax we fly ignorant to their own safety. It was a turnaround and so it was a long day in general but there was a moment in which I couldn't stop laughing.

We landed into Khartoum airport, nothing fancy, very basic, no airbridge and very old aircrafts parked on the tarmac. As we were taxiing towards the terminal I looked out of the window to see a little man doing this funny backwards dance alongside the aircraft. I cracked up laughing! I knew he was directing the pilots to maneuver through the other parked aircrafts for fear of our wing hitting one of them (our aircraft was by far the biggest) but it didn't take away my initial reaction. He was running to keep up and gesturing like crazy, it was like some bizarre game of charades or something. I think I'll always remember that moment, it was so unexpected - it was my first Khartoum flight and it was what kept me going through the long flight.

That and the people. At first I thought they were quite rude, they had this way of getting your attention by snapping their fingers at you but its just their way and after getting used to it I saw they were quite nice. I mean at one stage I was literally shouting at them to sit down cuz we had just landed and they were perfectly fine when they disembarked - all smiles and thankyous and great service compliments. Go figure, cant imagine I would have gotten the same reaction from LHR pax. And they're supposedly more 'sophisticated flyers'.

But in all it was a great flight, a nice change of pace and one of those that make the other 364 days bearable. LOL!

VP

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Paris reflections

Hearing: Rockstar - Nickleback

I got back from yet another Paris yesterday. It was a layover spent in the hotel, sounds crazy i know but those of you who fly will understand. The afternoon before pickup spent walking around the local area - i had intended to send something from the local post office but i didnt realise it was a Sunday. I had tried to get some sleep but my efforts were fruitless, i just couldnt. I was lying in bed for over an hour with no results. I ended up grabbing my jacket and heading outside.

There is this small grassy area infront of the hotel near the driveway where i lay down and just watched the clouds go by. I got to thinking where i was and where i wanted to be and if this is what i wanted and all sorts of D&Ms. I was thinking that i was really lucky to have this job but being away from my family isnt any fun either. I missed being home (maybe im homesick) i miss being able to go into my backyard and breathe clean air as opposed to 24/7 airconditioning. I miss clouds!! I missed being able to sit on grass and watch the sky as the clouds move accross it or birds fly past. There is a serious lack of nature in the sandpit and i never realised how important it was for me to have it.

Then i got to thinking about where i was, i was in PARIS! and yet i wasnt giddy happy, not even excited not even remotely interested, i could have been anywhere. For as long as i remember ive wanted to travel and flying seemed the best way (and it is) but im begining to think there is such a thing as too much travel. Usually travel is a big deal you spend ages saving up for it, you plan the hotel what your going to do and see, tell everyone, count down the days, check and triple check that youve packed everything and are really excited. But you dont get that with this job, initially you do but it wears off. Too much travel. How else can you explain feeling ho-hum about being in Paris?

Then it was a case of looking again at what i wanted and seeing clearly that i wanted to be home but not a 9-5 job indoors cuz i think thats just as bad but a job that would allow me to travel and work, or even work in a different country every year or so moving to another country. Maybe freelance webdesign or teaching english in Japan - ive always been facinated by that country, ever since i was in year 3 and out teacher told us about it - as a possibility. But they are currently far fetched ideas and bordering on the castle in the sky fantasy so till i could make it feasabile i knew one thing and that was family, i had to be where my family was and it didnt matter what i did as long as they were there with me.

Sheesh i think i really am homesick. I love the travel but it can really play tricks on you. LOL!

VP

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