Ode to Cabin Crew
I wanted to be a flight attendant for as long as I can remember. More than twenty years later, I still pinch myself from time to time. Although my experience has been overwhelmingly positive, there’s a dark side no one really discusses. We’re supposed to be social butterflies with contacts spanning the globe and bags expertly packed for our next exotic excursion, after all. Lonely, isolated, and disconnected are probably not terms most would associate with cabin crew. The truth lies somewhere in the middle. Maybe part of it is that we’re so busy caring for others that we forget to care for ourselves. Perhaps we bottle up the day’s negative energy, like the mountains of trash we collect but forget to throw away the former. Or maybe because we’re trained to calmly handle countless emergency scenarios, we’re terrified to admit when we need a lifeline of our own. Whatever the reason, we must do our best to look out for our sky family, honoring the fact that we’re forever united by wings…
💗I dedicate this to a dear sky angel who left this world far too soon. Rest in peace, sweet friend.💗
✈🌎 ✈
Hired for our upbeat personas, quick wit, and reassuring smiles
We’re kindred spirits united by similar dispositions
Our aluminum-tubed office affording a collage of continuous change
Crewmates bonding as seamlessly as the airplane generates lift
Perhaps it’s the liberation of zipping
Seven peaceful miles aloft across azure skies
Teetering on sparsely padded jump seats
We share stories those closest to us may never hear
Whether swapping tales of adventure
Or unfathomable challenges, lessons, and heartache
We inspire and garner fresh perspectives from one another
A myriad of personalities merging at 37,000 feet
Not just a career
But a dynamic lifestyle
Cherished wings
Symbolizing fortuitous passage to a boundless world
Thump against my ever-grateful heart
And yet – somewhere between the ‘hellos’ and ‘goodbyes’
A sense of impermanence looms
We’re independent souls
Or we wouldn’t have chosen this profession
But sometimes
When that hotel room door clicks shut at the end of a grueling day
A lonely heart slips beneath the covers
Brushing away a tear or two
And questioning
“Who’s going to have my back when my smile falters?”
✈ 🌎 ✈
(♥ Photo courtesy of a dear colleague’s friend. Check out her site, featuring the precious model above: http://karlaquiz.com ♥)
🌎 See also: Love Letters to Malaysia Airlines
LUGGAGE Lady 
Is that your photo? Either way, it’s quite precious 🙂 And lovely writing – I think we all need to be reminded of the bright side of airline travel…thank you.
AnnMarie 🙂
Thank you — so happy to see you here! The adorable girl is the daughter of a colleague, but when I saw the picture I knew I had to share it here. As for air travel, I’d say, for every difficult scenario, I have fifty inspiring ones…Unfortunately, those rarely seem to make the nightly news! ♥
She is adorable. I would have shared her image also – she’s too perfect 🙂 It is wonderful reading the uplifting side of air travel. I bet you could create a market by writing positive-feeling airline articles in newspapers. And all the airlines would pay you zillions! Have a great Wednesday and keep writing those inspiring posts! 🙂 AnnMarie
Adorable photo and wonderful expressions of your joy for travel. I’m glad you followed your dreams and honor your gypsy spirit. Sadly, I have not done so for my gypsy spirit. Thanks for reminding me Shauna! 🙂
There’s no time like the present, Brad! Even if it’s a small step — just do it!! Love and appreciate your support so so much… 💞
Thanks!
Oh, Shauna! What a gorgeous and sweeping homage to your passion, drenched in infectious joy and grace. Thank you so much for sharing this and all of your other soaring tales that lift all of us up, up, up to your heights! love to you, my fabulous, flying friend
YOU are the epitome of ALL that is right with this world! Kindness prevails because beautiful hearts like yours wake up each day and generously wrap your arms around those fortunate enough to be in your realm with enthusiasm, support, and endless love. So blessed and touched by your grace!! XOxo
Beautiful soul you have here.
I’m truly honored by your kind visit and am absolutely thrilled to have found you and your brilliant writing!! ♥
How wonderful that you followed your dreams! You have found your happiness amongst the clouds 🙂 I agree that one can meet soo many interesting people, and see so many beautiful places while traveling. I’m a little bit of a gypsy soul as well.
Thank you, Tiny! My world has been broadened and enlightened again and again thanks to wonderful gypsy souls like YOURS!!! 💝
You deserve more than a compliment for your amazing and respectful presentation!
Not sure how I missed your lovely visit, here but THANK YOU (better late than never 😉 ), sweet man!!!!
Two of my dearest friends are ‘career’ flight attendants, each with 35+ years in the compressed cabins. I know your sentiments and words would receive their approval and appreciation. 🙂
You’re clearly a wise man to choose such lovely/worldly friends! Please feel free to share my words…😘
Hi Luggage Lady. I could not fly regularly. Try to avoid it. I admire all the cabin crew. They are far braver than I. Thank you so much for liking my poem Watching You breath! Peace and Best Wishes. The Foureyed Poet.