Well, I did call this site The Diary of a Flight Attendant – but have failed to tell you much about my life. Hmmmm, not much of a diary then.

Today I thought I’d write a little bit about my day at work. In truth, it was a pretty non-eventful day so I’m unsure of how I’m going to entertain you at all. Anyone got any jokes?!

I’ve just had four days off (nice!) so today was my first day back in. Usually we work 3 earlies, 3 lates, 3 days off. But I’ve been put on 4 lates as I’ve booked two days off at the end of the week. It was nice to go back to work without having to get up at 4am – so I was feeling pretty refreshed and ready for the day ahead.

My duty was due to start at 2.35pm. I arrived about 20mins before work (what I like to call smoking time!), and checked in for my flights.

We start the day with a pre-flight brief and we are each asked one question on Safety & Emergency Procedures and one on First Aid. Failure to answer the questions to an acceptable standards can result in being sent home (offloaded in aviation terminology!), and sent for possible retraining. If this happens on more than one occasion you are into the realms of disciplinarys and sackings. We have really got to know our stuff…..

This has never happened to me thankfully!

We are then joined by the pilots who take us through flight times, weather conditions, turbulence forecasts, and any other information that may concern us.

Once this is completed, we normally go through security to board the aircraft. Unfortunately though, the inbound flight was delayed by 30mins.

Positive: More smoking time

Negative: Uh, we are gonna be late!

When we finally get onboard the aircraft, and security checks etc have all been completed, it’s time to get our lovely passengers on.

I am based in the South of England, and we were due to fly up to Edinburgh (Scotland), back to base, then to Geneva (Switzerland), and then back to base again for more smoking and general chatting!

Four flights – but still one of our shorter days.

The first flight lasts 55 minutes, and the only notable event was a poor girl vomiting for the whole flight…… There is nothing worse than being on a plane when you are feeling ill so I done my best to make her feel as comfortable as possible. There’s only so much you can do though. Water and sick bags and the occasional “are you ok?”!

Once on the ground in Edinburgh, it’s time to get them off, clean the aircraft, complete security checks and depart for the return leg. We are on the ground for no more than 40mins all being well.

We had a group of lads in the back who were a little rowdy, but good natured. Sold plenty of alcohol though…..

Geneva next. A different class of passenger altogether.

As a Flight Attendant you get used to meeting so many different classes of people in one day. You know what to expect before they get on based on the route you are operating.

Geneva is a skiing destination, and a haven for the relatively wealthy. Of course, you do not have to be wealthy to fly there – but the expensive prices put off the majority of lower class people.

Adapting your behaviour to the flight you are operating is a skill that all Flight Attendants must possess. So, I communicate in a more intelligent manner to the average Geneva passenger. This makes me more approcahable and easier to talk to. It’s almost as if you have to gain respect by using big words.

If I was flying to Alicante (for example), I would be less reserved and have a laugh and a joke with the passegers – whereas a Geneva passenger usually wants peace and quiet.

I landed back at base ON TIME. After starting the day 30 minutes late, we made up the delay. More security checks, a debrief, and then out to the smoking area for the well earned cigarette and catchup with the other crews who have landed from various European destinations.

Well, that was my day? How about yours? Seriously, I’ve managed over 700 words on a day when nothing happened….. I am tired and suffering from verbal diorrhoea! I’ll probably read this post tomorrow when I’ve rested and wonder what the hell I was talking about!

Ah well, tomorrow is another day. I’m on home standby which means sitting around with phone in hand wondering if I’m going to get called into work…….

Good night.

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