A few weeks ago, I was thinking back to a conversation I had with my friend/ lash extension specialist extraordinaire, Ali. We were talking about YouTube and she thought a “day in the life” video would be something fun for me to film as an inside look to my job. I tried it…and failed. While I could get little clips here and there, in the end, things were just too busy to really get enough footage for it to make sense.
Though the video route may not have gone as planned, I knew I could make a “live blog” style format work, so I decided to give it a try earlier this month. It was actually a lot of fun putting together this brief look into the anything-but-ordinary day of a flight attendant. Here’s a peek into one aspect of the job, sitting reserve.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 3RD
1200 Tomorrow begins my 4-day reserve block for the month. Reserve is simply being on-call to assist the operation as needed. Reserve is assigned in “blocks” ranging from three to six days in length, and is either done at home or at the airport. How you “sit” reserve as well as if you will get called out for a trip is all decided by scheduling.
I typically bid for a reserve block in the beginning of the month because I like to just get it over with and focus on my awarded trips for the remainder of the month. Even though I have been on reserve longer than I have been a lineholder, I still sit in agony waiting to see what my reserve assignment will be for the next day. I have been used every reserve block for the last three months, so I am looking forward to possibly flying under the radar and not being used. Ya girl needs a break…
1400 Next day reserve assignments typically come out by 3PM (1500) the previous day. An assignment is usually the time you need to be available and where.
1425 I check to see who else is on-call for the next day. The less hours you have, the higher your chances are to be called. There are 3 people with less hours than me, so at least I won’t be the first one called out for a trip. Maybe airport standby. I really don’t think I will be called but to be on the safe side, I go and get my nails done.
1440 Reserve assignments are out. Airport standby from 0420 to 1020. I’m usually asleep during these hours. What did I do to deserve this? I feel personally slighted by scheduling.
2000 I have to start getting ready for bed now. Sleep will not come easy to me for two reasons: 1. I have a hard time sleeping when I have an early report time and 2. my body has adjusted to being on the West Coast so often that when I’m home in NY, I typically don’t fall asleep until 2AM. I prep for bed anyway and hope for the best.
2030 One lavender steam shower later, and it’s time to prep my skin. The night before I fly, I like to pack in as much moisture into my skin as possible. After cleansing, I apply the Kiehl’s Hydro-Plumping Re-Texturizing Serum Concentrate followed by the Midnight Recovery Concentrate. Once a week, I like to use the Ultra Facial Overnight Hydrating Masque to really give my skin that extra boost of hydration. Lastly, after exfoliating my lips, I apply the NYX #ThisIsEverything lip oil.
2100 I feel myself reaping the benefits of the lavender shower…
2130 Or not. I’m still awake and scrolling through Instagram…
SATURDAY, AUGUST 4TH
0221 My alarm has been going off for a solid minute before I realize it’s not part of a dream. Naturally, I hit snooze.
0230 There goes the alarm again. It’s time to get up or risk being late.
0231 I want to cry.
0235 I finally get out of bed and head to the kitchen to grab my ice roller from the freezer. It’s such a simple thing but it helps me to wake up and makes my skin look amazing. I shower and once again prepare my skin for (possibly) flying with as much moisture as possible. This time my regimen includes the Sunday Riley Martian toner, the same Kiehl’s serum from the night before, and my holy grail day moisturizer from Ole Henriksen.
0300 Hair and makeup done and uniform on, I head to the kitchen to pack a few things into my lunchbox. I could be called for anything from a day trip to a four day trip, so while I have a few meals prepped in the freezer, I don’t want to risk them going to waste. I pack an ice pack and some non-perishables (like oatmeal and almond butter) and make plans to restock at the closest Whole Foods/ Trader Joe’s/ Ralphs wherever I may land.
0305 I throw a blanket into my bag because despite the book in my bag that I am dying to finish, sleep is my number one priority once I get to the crew lounge.
0315 I misread the time and run out of the house in a panic thinking I am late. I get in the car only to check the time when I get in to see that I am leaving right on time. I breathe a huge sigh of relief.
0350 Perks to arriving this early to the airport? Not having to deal with traffic and getting a prime parking spot. I make my way to the terminal and check in a few a minutes early.
0410 The airport seems calm with only one delay posted. This looks promising. I head to the crew lounge and stake my claim (aka a comfortable chair near an outlet.)
0425 With my stuff situated for the next six hours, I head to the kitchen to have breakfast. My body is so confused. Why are we eating right now?
0435 Breakfast done, I go back to my campsite to watch the latest episode of the Real Housewives of NY. (I’ve been bingeing the season for the last week.) A pilot walks by and shakes his head in disapproval just as Sonja Morgan takes her bikini bottoms down to moon the other girls. Sir, this is my guilty pleasure, can I live?
0523 Has it really only been an hour? RHONY done, I check my phone. I text the one person I know is up. Yay for friends that work graveyard shifts as well!
0615 I’m exhausted. I grab my blankets and set up my sleeping cocoon: one over my face to block out the light, the other over my body. I put my Airpods in so I won’t miss scheduling if they call, and so I can listen to one of my favorite Spotify playlists.
0932 One of our beloved pilots decides that this is the perfect time to rearrange the furniture in the crew lounge. The sound of a lazy boy dragging across the floor wakes me up instantly. I check my phone to make sure I haven’t missed any notifications from scheduling. Nada! There is a chance I just may get out of this thing. My eyelids still feel heavy so I try to go back to sleep for a little.
0937 Sike. Beloved pilot is now asleep and snoring wildly about five feet away from me. I am officially awake.
0950 I get up and head to the bathroom to freshen up. I also put on my heels on for the first time. This is completely unnecessary, but I do it anyway.
1010 Since I checked in early, I can technically leave now. I start to pack up so I can make my exit promptly at 1020.
1025 I am free! I head upstairs into the terminal where I see daylight for the first time. Outside looks terrible and the delays are starting to build up, but I am free now. I head to Muji to pick up a a few things that I don’t need and then make my way to the shuttle to go home. One day down, three more to go…
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