This would be the title of my Flight Attendant Doctorial Thesis - if there was such a thing! In twenty three years, I have never lost interest in observing passengers board the aircraft. Many are predictable while others have their own style.
Yes, the usual drill is a "Good morning; Good evening; or Hello"; baggage stowed; seat chosen; open book. I am grateful for the personalities and those who stand out from the crowd. Could I ever forget the dark haired, dark eyed gentleman with his hat cocked to one side who walked two steps past, and then looked back at me and said, "Hi Toots!" He must have watched a lot of old Hollywood gangster movies!
Families are the most fun to watch as they rush on ready to save the needed seats for the clan. Now the fun begins. Who is sitting with whom? Who needs the window? Who gets the aisle seat? "The middle seat is perfectly fine, now hush!" Once the luggage is stowed and each settled in a seat, out comes the food. If I'm lucky, I may score a few M&Ms. It's fun finding out the purpose of their trip--are they anticipating going? Or, are they looking forward to coming home? I now phrase my questions carefully. When we had the lounge seating arrangement, I had a group of six--obviously a family. I was monitoring the overwing window exit and wanting to make conversation. "Did you have a wonderful time in San Antonio?" A gentleman looked at me and said, "We buried Mother." I gave him a sincere, "I'm sorry" and have been sorry I asked the question years hence.
Weddings often involve flying. What was Boeing thinking when they left out the closet for the wedding dresses? Sharing the excitment of taking the bridal party to Vegas or any of our other cities is fun. If the flight is long enough, it's nice having the other Customers write on beverage napkins their tips for a happy marriage. Many are heartfelt, and I hope the couples enjoy these messages again and again.
Along with weddings come funerals. We do what we can to make the mourners comfortable when we know this is why they are traveling. When there are tears, we can bring tissues, and then many want to share their sorrow. I remember stories and still feel their pain. I've had a few families bring the departed with them--in the form of ashes in a box about the size of a cookie jar container. By this time, they are ready for a glass of wine and a toast.
My heroes are the mothers traveling alone--often with several preschool children in tow. They can multitask like none other. I've seen a mom with one child in a backpack; the baby on one hip (mom folded the stroller before anyone could help), and the older child pulling a child-size suitcase. She will have a minimum of four varying sized bags hanging from shoulder to wrist! "How best can I help you?" I ask as I start to move toward the family. "It's okay, I've got it!" she says with a smile. I often get to hold a baby as the car seat is strapped down. Every now and then, I find a young military wife who has already flown across an ocean before getting on the final flight home. Have I just forgotten? Did I ever have that kind of energy?
Young children lift my heart. Recently, a three-year-old boy looked me in the eye and proclaimed, "Happy Easter!" I asked a five-year-old how he liked being a big brother. With knitted brow, he threw his arms out, palms up, and declared, "She gets in my things!" Kids like to be noticed. They still enjoy receiving plastic wings and a color book. It's important that our "Customer's of tomorrow" enjoy their flight.
On a flight out of San Diego, I was at mid cabin when a recently graduated sailor came back. "Has it been a long time since you've hugged a woman?" I asked. He replied, "Yes, maam!" I told him, "Come here and hug this woman!" When we got to Lubbock, he insisted I come off and meet his family-- such proud and happy faces.
I love to fly because of the many moments of serendipity created by the Customers of Southwest Airlines!
Comments
Uh oh, are you suggesting that she routed herself away from DAL on purpose? Gee, and I thought she said I was a good hugger. I guess we'll have to get a second opinion from Joe...
LOL
Kim
External Blog Boy and former Leah Hugger :(
Ummm, Kim,
Don't you think that figured into Leah's travel plans? For those of you who have never been on a flight with Carole, you are missing a real treat.
Blog Boy
Just to show that I'm an equal opportunity guy...
Hey Joe, come here, fella....
Kim :)
Leah,
You're NOT going to come through DAL? Then how in the world will you get to see me??
LOL
Kim :(
It's interesting to me to watch the FAs & "get an idea" of their personalities. I also like to watch the people at the gate & as they board the plane. I even often wonder where they're traveling.
Thanks for another great post, Carole! Can you be my FA to MCO in July? :) I'm changing planes in STL (going & coming), though, & not DAL.
Great article Carole! One of the best I've read on here!
Wait until your wife sees this Kim!
It will be a long time until you get a hug from her or anything else!
hundreds of ding specials today!!!!
Ding! boy
Joe
Thank you Carole for being just who you are, you are a shining star at
Southwest and I am glad another airline did not snatch you up. Keep up the good work and spread your unique brand of LUV.
Carole,
Wonderful post!
But one thing I need to correct you on... Boeing didn't leave out the closet for wedding dresses, Southwest did.. Airlines are generally responsible for the interior layout of seats and closets in the plane, not the manufacturer...
Carole,
This was a great post, and I laughed and shed a tear at some of your memories. Working with people is always full of unexpected surprises but also many great rewards.
In all fairness, though, I have to point out that FAs are not the only ones who observe traveling people. There is a subspecies of Homo Sapiens called Roadus Warriorites, and a favorite pastime of that breed is Studying the Greeting Habits of Flight Attendants. You really should realize that we're just as busy studying YOUR behavior as well.
There are several distinct types that I've seen. Very common is the young female version that stands in the front galley busy repairing and reconstructing her facial war paint in a mirror prior to the arrival of first pre-boarders. However, sometimes that work takes longer than anticipated, and she is 'caught' in the act. That species is lower in the seniority pecking order than their cousins who gather in the rear galley and are able to primp and preen for a good two to three minutes longer before they are observed by outsiders.
Equally frequently seen is the genus of FA known as the Suckus Up To The Captainus variety, which are usually absorbed with making small talk to a specialized group of Homo Sapiens with four distinctive black stripes adorning their shoulder area.
A common garden variety of FA is the Nervous Twitterer, who is seen repeatedly and furtively checking a small piece of printed paper neatly folded and placed on the backside of their ID sleeve. This group of FAs appear to be highly concerned with their own migration patterns and some ritualistic timetable that requires their presence at certain pre-ordained locations at certain times.
But, the subspecies most regularly encountered at Southwest is the Friendly and Helpful Variety. These are the ones who make eye contact when other Homo Sapiens arrive, and who smile and greet them as they might their own relatives. This type does not know a stranger and is kind to the youngest and oldest Homo Sapiens alike. They provide comfort, bring nourishment, answer repeatedly inane questions, and manage to maintain their great composure while doing it.
Just remember, Carole...while y'all are watchin' us, we're watchin' YOU.
Kim :)
External Blog Boy
P. S. Thanks for the great suggestion. The next time I see a lovely FA, I'll just saunter up and say "It has been a long time since I've hugged a woman!" I can hardly wait to get back to the airport and see what happens!!