I was looking for something else and came upon this once again. I’m sure that you have seen it, however, I thought it was worth re-visiting since I work for a regional carrier. Now, I am a flight attendant for Comair (Delta Connection) and this is my view not perhaps the companies.

The article, written by Ben Mutzabaugh with USAtoday, ‘How safe are regional airlines’, is in regards to the Colgan (Continental) crash that killed it’s passengers and the pilots. It questions the safety of these smaller planes and the training the pilots receive on top of the low wages and rest requirements.

When I first started almost 12 years ago, I made more than a first year First Officer. I honestly have no idea about my co-workers salaries these days, however, one of the right seat pilots I flew with not too long ago was bragging how he would still have the same $4 in his pocket at the end of our three days. He is simply smart and brought food from home instead of paying $6 for a lousy sandwich in the airport. Or perhaps over $9 for a California Kitchen pizza!

Do they make a decent wage for what they are doing for us? No. Do they know this going in to it? Yes. Are they made big promises? Yes. As far as their training goes, I am perfectly comfortable flying with the pilots I have met so far and if I am not, I will be very quick to let them know otherwise because this is my safety also. A lot of these pilots are military guys and have had the same training as the Mainline pilots. Those major carrier pilots did not start there because you need a certain amount of flight hours to be able to work at each level. Comair definitely has very safe and qualified pilots.

Then of course is the rest issue. No, I do not agree with that. Some of our overnights are less than 8 hours and are called continuous duties. You fly the last flight out and the first flight in. Don’t be too worried though because some people work very well on little sleep and this allows them to work another job during the day to supplement the income they are not getting by working at a regional. What I personally do not agree with is the ones that are on reserve and are being worked and transported all over the place to work 6 days in a row for up to 13+ hours a day. The flight hours are a max of 8 hours a day but this does not include the sitting around waiting. The boarding and deplaning. The commuting to work.

Yesterday alone, I flew from Cincinnati to RDU to sit for a couple of hours, to fly to Boston to sit for a few hours and then fly to BWI. By the time I got there, I was exhausted. Since my first flight was not a working flight for me, I actually only worked less that 4 hours of flying and yet I was on duty for almost 12. Why is this necessary?

Do not be afraid if you are flying on a regional airline because they are not necessarily bad. They are important for the major carriers and you can find out in advance who you are flying on or may be flying on by visiting the airlines website. Come see me anytime. It would always be my pleasure to serve you on what I think is the best regional:

Delta Airlines owned Comair! Fly the friendly skies.

Another thing that we all seem to have the pleasure of dealing with is alcohol. I have passengers that feels it’s life or death to have a drink on a half an hour flight. They also seem to think that either I am rich or the company gives us change before each flight. I remember one passenger handed me a $100 bill for his drink.

A $5 drink!

Was he crazy? I didn’t have a hundred dollars to my name, no less change. Those days we were able to get away with comping a drink if the passenger did not have a the correct change. No longer an option ladies and gentlemen. Along with the price increase to $7 a drink, we expect you to be the wise traveler that you need t be to survive these days.

Remember that if you are smart, you can avoid all of the extra charges. Don’t bring too much stuff or it could cost you big time to check that bag! Don’t bring large bottles of anything liquid or gel that TSA will simply relieve you of and promptly throw away. I was just traveling to my Mom’s for pleasure and had a few things taken away. I haven’t travelled out of uniform in so long that even I forgot. 3oz each and in a separate zip-lock bag. Bring dry snacks so tha you do not have to spend a fortune in the airport or a plane ride starving because if there is something other than peanuts and cookies, there will be a charge.

This all sounds terrible however, did you all notice GM going bankrupt? Too many expenses. We took a huge cut in pay and work more for usually minimum wage (by the time you figure in all of it) and the passengers are going to have to pay for all of the luxuries that used to be free. I will personally make sure that if you are on my plane, you will get there safely and with the biggest smile because I am happy to see you!

Hello world.

As I have mentioned, my step daughter is going to Italy this summer for school. We would all like to go somewhere else other that just Rome and she has found a great way! Have you ever heard of EasyJet? I had not but if you look it up you will see that the fares are insanely cheap. I found a flight from Milan to Rome for $19.46EU one way. The train is a lot more expensive.

Definitely something that I will have to look into. Yippy!

I got to stay home with my family today. Happy Mother’s Day to all of those wonderful mother’s even if you didn’t get to spend it with them.

Hello World!

I wanted to give everyone a little info on what to do if you are traveling on a NW flight.

Yesterday on my flight from JFK to MSP (Minneapolis), there were quite a few upset passengers. Apparently, their tickets showed that they were flying on a NWA flight. So, they went to terminal 4 where NWA is located. The problem is that COMAIR (Delta Airlines) is now servicing these flights since NWA is now Delta. The one’s that left enough time to get themselves to the airport were simply inconvenienced. The ones who did not, were inconvenienced and exhausted by then having to run to terminal 3.

While I realize that this is an inconveniece to everyone, including the employees, I still feel bad that these passengers were not notified ahead of time. I hate to see my passengers upset for unnecessary reasons. This is not however a good reason to take it out on your flight attendants, who are simply trying to make your flight the best that they can!

Please be patient with the companies while they merge everything as quickly as possible and check in advance if you are flying on the original Delta or the soon to be Delta flights.

TIP: If you are flying on a NWA flight, call ahead to see who is servicing the flight so that you know what terminal to go to.

www.nearlythebionicwoman.com/wordpress

I saw this product from Spring Los Angeles this morning thanks to the $5 dollar dinners blog. This is an awesome ways to eat healthier by bringing your own lunch and looking great too. Plus, you can leave a smaller footprint by bringing your meals in a reusable bag!

For those that visit $5 dinners, you can enter to win a FREE tote!

OK, here’s the plan.

In July, my husband and I are planning on going to Italy to visit his daughter. She will be there as part of an Italian immersion program through AIFS. I am so excited for her because this is something that I have always wanted for the kids. Of course now the fun for me starts.

I have been to Italy (OK, Rome) a few times but only for a night or two. This time we are talking about a week and not just staying IN Rome.

Rent a car.
Rent a scooter.
Buy a scooter or a car!?

Where to stay? Secure the room now or there? Ooh. So many questions but is there enough time? Of course there is with YOUR help. I have a lot of research that I am doing for someone about Autism though so any thoughts or ideas you all can offer would be great!