Confessions of a Hostie 3 (21 page)

I try to paint a balanced insight into the
job and lifestyle. It would be dull to write about flights with no
incidences or events, although there are plenty of trips where
little happens. Not every flight has someone arrested or a medical
emergency (thank goodness). I talk with many other flight
attendants from an array of airlines. Many have had similar
experiences to myself, some have not. Even my friends in my own
airline have differing experiences on flights to me. My friend
Mary-go-round was on three separate flights where a passenger had
passed away. I recently flew with a senior guy who'd had nine
deaths onboard during his flying career. I have never had a death
onboard (touch wood), although I've been involved in treating
several major medical emergencies.

Mary has never had a passenger handcuffed on
any of her flights, yet I've had three flights where this has
occurred. Just as some flight attendants perceptions of the job may
be different to my own, so too is what can, and does, happen
onboard.

It is tough giving advice to those wanting to
be a flight attendant, especially internationally. Everyone has
different expectations, different objectives. What suits one may
not be right for another.

What I can say with certainty is: Whatever
you want to be, don't choose a profession - choose a passion. Never
ever underestimate the value of loving what you do.

If that passion is becoming an international
flight attendant, accepting the good with the bad, then 'go for
it'. I have no regrets.

I hope Helen's niece Holly one day gets the
opportunity to live the hostie lifestyle. I don't think she is
ready right now. She would fail to see past the five-star hotels
and the glittering signs on the shops near those hotels. She would
fail to see the genuinely nice passengers onboard. She would fail
to look outside her own little world. Maturity and experience may
change her mindset. I hope so.

As I mature I actually appreciate my job and
lifestyle more.

There are so many cliques I can think of: You
can't put an old head on young shoulders. You can only get
experience from experience... you know what I mean. It is true
though. I had some of the wildest partying times when I was 22 and,
although those days are fewer and further between, I now appreciate
the good times so much more.

My recent trip with Kathy, with her 40 years
of flying and still-loving-it-attitude, has shown me that the
positive aspects of the flight attendant lifestyle far outweigh the
negative.

Abraham Lincoln once said: In the end, it's
not the years of life that count, but the life in your years.

I love life, I love my job. I have lots of
life in my years.

I am just about to press my uniform and apply
make-up in readiness for 14 hours inside an aluminum tube. There'll
be demanding passengers, screaming babies, those complaining about
not getting a meal choice; there might even be a Mrs. Bacher-type
onboard. I'll take it all in my stride. For every passenger who
upsets all and sundry there'll be dozens of lovely passengers;
those who sit there quietly, don't complain without justifiable
provocation, smile when spoken to, are attentive to the menu
selections or safety instructions, are aware of others around them,
and understand the pros and cons of airline travel.

I am sure you are one of those lovely
people.

Next time you jump on a plane I hope the
friendly face of the flight attendant is mine.

I'll look forward to seeing you onboard.

Safe and happy travels

Danielle Hugh

THE END

The episodes featured in this book describe my
experiences working as an international flight attendant. Although
the stories are true, to protect confidentiality some events are
not in sequence, character names have been changed, and only
generic information about airlines and hotels are given. I have
avoided revealing any information that could put any colleagues, or
myself, at risk. I love my profession, not desiring to jeopardize
my job, my friends, my fellow workers, or my employer.

Danielle Hugh has over 20 years of globetrotting
around the world as an international flight attendant, with no
plans of easing off just yet.

"If you stand still too long you collect dust" said
Danielle's grandmother.

Danielle tells of having the most amazing
grandmothers: "One of my grandmothers had little education, yet was
highly intelligent, compassionate, feisty, and forthright. My other
grandmother was university educated, astute, articulate, and loved
to travel. In an era where global traveling was expensive and
problematic, she did some astonishing trips. I guess I know where
my spirit of adventure comes from. Sadly I lost both grandmothers
just before joining the airline over 20 years ago, but I carry
their memory with me. This book is dedicated to them.

Danielle is a keen observer of people and situations
- loving observational humor. A natural progression is to write
about her experiences, trying to see the funnier side of life.

She describes writing the '
Confessions of a Flight Attendant
' series as "an
absolute joy. When a flight is delayed and the rest of the crew are
grumbling; I grab a latte, turn on my computer, and type
frantically. I love it. There is no such thing as a wasted moment
when you are passionate about something."

Danielle's passion for her job, lifestyle, and
writing is obvious... a lot more writing is to come...

The original '
Confessions of a
Hostie - True Stories of an International Flight
Attendant
' and the sequel '
More
Confessions of a Hostie - The Second Sector
' are offered
for download from all the usual eBook retailing outlets.

There is also a quick link (including a short
video/trailer) through her webpage:
www.confessionsofahostie.com

Also available under the '
Confessions of a Hostie
' titles are a range of
shorter '99 cent (U.S)' eBooks: '
Airline
Travel Tips
', '
A Shopper's Guide to
the USA
', and '
A Shopper's Guide to
Asia
'.

'
Confessions of a Hostie -
Airline Travel Tips
' is a must guide for all airline
travelers, and anyone who likes shopping will gain some handy tips
with '
A Shopper's Guide to the
USA
', and '
A Shopper's Guide to
Asia
'. Each is an easy breezy read.

Danielle's first foray into fiction novel/romance
writing should be available shortly (or now) through most eBook
retailers. Entitled '
Love is in the Air - A
Romantic Comedy
' this book is an amusing tale in the
vein of a Julia Roberts-type rom-com. The story is not explicitly
about flying or flight attendants, however, one of the lead
characters works as a domestic flight attendant. There are some
very funny onboard moments shared, yet it is essentially a
beautiful love story... with some hilarious twists.

Danielle's newest book should be available through
most eBook retailers from early 2015, including Smashwords:
www.smashwords.com
.

Danielle would love your comments and can be
contacted through Facebook:
www.facebook.com/Confessionsofahostie
or Email:
[email protected]