Learn to Appreciate Your Flight Attendant

There are guides for just about everything ranging from The Bible for Dummies to The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Decluttering. Recently I read and enjoyed the blog-to-book called Planely Speaking: Inflight Insight from Thirty Thousand Feet, which should be called Reasons to Appreciate Your Flight Attendant.

The book is written by flight attendant (or when using air industry lingo, “FA”) Bobby Laurie, whom I had the pleasure of meeting during TBEX in New York earlier this summer.

After making light conversation, I learned Bobby and I had something in common (other than the love of travel), he’s visited Punta Gorda, Fla. Better yet, he lived in a local hotel which meant I didn’t have to explain where the city is located or describe the area. He had a very accurate understanding of the destination.

Bobby Laurie, Blogger, Author of Planely Speaking — Bobby Laurie, Blogger and Author of Planely Speaking During TBEX '10, New York City

Bobby is such an adorable and likeable guy which is why I was excited to read his book. Experiences and stories were taken from www.upupandagay.com blog posts. Many stories had me laughing out loud while my blood boiled at least a couple of times and I admit to shedding a little tear over an endearing story.

Importantly, Bobby shared what it’s like being a flight attendant and opened my eyes to the lack of respect they receive. You think it’s all glamorous? Sure, they get to jet set across the country, sometimes around the world, but the work schedule these folks put in is amazing. And think your flight attendant is being paid as soon as they report to the airport? Not the case for all airlines. According to Bobby, many don’t start earning a paycheck until the cabin door closes.

Have you been on an airplane during boarding? Those flight attendants are bustin’ their butts being luggage organizers, hostesses, and counselors. Keep in mind, they are people and not servants to be on your beckon call. Geesh, people. Show your FA some respect!

I’m always nice to my flight attendants, try to give them my trash in a timely manner and say “thank you” when leaving.

Read my complete review called, “Struggles, Joys of a Flight Attendant Shared in Planely Speaking Here’s a note about the review: I made Bobby aware of the typos in the book and he said they have been corrected, which is the beauty of publishing through Lulu.

If you want a discount on Planely Speaking, order by Aug. 15, 2010 on Lulu and use coupon code BEACHREAD305.

Jenn

Jennifer A. Huber is an award-winning travel and outdoor blogger and writer in Southwest Florida. Originally from Buffalo, N.Y., a hiking trail led her to a career path in the tourism industry for more than 30 years. She spent a decade with a park management company in Yellowstone, Death Valley, and Everglades National Parks. She founded the travel blog, SoloTravelGirl.com with the goal of inspiring others to travel alone, not lonely. The unexpected death of her former husband in 2008 reminded her how short life is. His passing was a catalyst for sharing her experiences with the goal of inspiring and empowering others to travel solo. Jennifer holds a Travel Marketing Professional certification from the Southeast Tourism Society, is a certified food judge, member of the NASA Social community, and alum of the FBI Citizens Academy. When not traveling, she is either in the kitchen, practicing her photography skills, or road tripping with her dog, Radcliff.