At my company we get paid a certain number of federal holidays like most everyday Americans do. We have to work on those days of course to receive the holiday pay. One extra holiday that we paid for is our birthday!
In years past I didn’t want to work on my birthday, I wanted to celebrate it. But as I’ve gotten older it really doesn’t matter as much. Maybe it has to do more with the fact that my Hubs isn’t a good planner and I’m always disappointed….but we’ll just leave that be . So the past few years I’ve been looking for a high time trip or a fun trip to be on for my birthday.
Last year I was on a 4-day International trip that took me to the Caribbean, Washington DC and Frankfurt, Germany. This year my wish was to go back to Hawaii but no one wanted to give their trip over to me, so I settled for an L.A. Purser turn. These trips are probably the best kind to do in terms of the best way to make the most holiday pay.
So I woke up the morning of my birthday and made cinnamon streussel muffins for the crew. I usually try and bake something to take with me when I fly Purser. Kinda my thing. I also threw in a store-bought angel food cake, chocolate frosting and choco-chips to throw together at some point during the trip.
The first leg was fairly easy. Breakfast services always are. You don’t have many people drinking alcohol and most people sleep because of having to get up so early for a morning flight. We were also staffed fully which was such a nice treat. They even pulled one of the senior gals to deadhead (ride as a passenger) and she got a first class sleeper suite. Ended up frosting the cake on this flight since there were more crew members on this leg and I wouldn’t have to lug the cake around the rest of the day.
One note, on this particular flight we had the most undemanding cockpit crew I’ve ever had. Seriously, they didn’t come out until an hour or so left in the flight! I’m always used to feeding them every hour or so it seems, bathroom breaks every thirty minutes, okay, maybe I’m exaggerating but still. These guys were a nice treat as well.
After sitting for an hour in LA due to a late departure out of Chicago, we boarded the flight back home. Boarding was crazy. The Captain was holding off boarding for this and that and then he left to go get food. The kicker….he had a crew meal for the flight! He ended up being a super nice guy so I can’t complain, it was just odd in the moment.
I let the flight attendant I was working up in First Class with decide if she wanted to do galley or work the aisle. She picked galley so I worked the aisle on the 757. I noticed a particular passenger and as soon as I got the paperwork, my guess was confirmed. It was the lead singer from the Goo Goo Dolls!
As I was doing predeparture beverages, an older man was standing at the back of First Class and had helped himself to a glass of orange juice that I had prepared. I didnt’ know where he was seated yet so I questioned him. He was super friendly and seemed like he was totally at home on the airplane. I do remember him asking me where we were going. I thought he was joking and although he partly was he at one point said “my wife keeps track of all that stuff.”
Throughout the flight this particular gentleman made conversation everytime I approached his seat (his wife was traveling with him). He complimented my “pretty” eyes, and was just an overly friendly guy.
Once our service was completed the galley flight attendant came out to help pick up and pulled me aside and said, “you do know who that is, don’t you?” I had no idea. “It’s Glen Campbell!” Still had no idea. She was so excited, she even had his songs on her iPod! He came into the galley and talked with us, let us take pictures with him, took pictures with some of the passengers, gave the two pilots an autographed guitar pick (they were both avid guitar players). He was a very kind, gracious man.
When it comes to celebrities being on the plane I usually let them set the tone. If they seem like they want to be left alone I let them. If they seem friendly and want to chat, I’ll engage them. Same with any passenger, really. The lead singer of the Goo Goo Dolls at first seemed to be keeping to himself. He passed on the meal. But a little later in the flight and after a few drinks he started making conversation with both of us working. He also took pictures with us and gave autographs. He even offered to take down our name and number to give us tickets to his concert the next day!
Right before landing the Captain made his descent announcements and of course let everyone know it was my birthday. The lead singer of the Goo Goo Dolls was whistling and clapping and sang “Happy Birthday”. As people deplaned many of them wished me a “Happy Birthday”.
I must say it ended up being a very special day. A day full of many treats and surprises. And once I get my paycheck I’m sure I’ll enjoy going shopping with that extra holiday pay!
(photo courtesy of fleaflyflofun!)
The layover was sooooo nice. I walked over to the shops by our resort with two other crew members where we did our shopping, (choco-covered macadamia nuts, fresh pineapple, big bottle of .99 water, banana-macadamia nut bread), and had a fish and chips dinner. Soooo yummy!
