When we got to the E-474, I stopped and stared at it. I knew the plane was big, but this thing was huge!
Rich noticed that I stopped when his hand almost slipped from mine. He looked at me, then looked to where I was looking.
"Jo, it's just a plane," he sniggered.
"This is like a plane and a half, almost two," I said, looking up at him.
"It's not 'like a plane and a half', it is a plane and a half. I thought you knew this," he said.
"I did, but I've never seen it for myself," I defended.
Rich smirked down at me, then tugged my hand to get me moving again. With one last look to the outside of the plane, I walked with him.
When we stepped onto the plane, we kissed (as normal), then with words of 'see you later', we went in opposite directions.
I'd never been on this particular plane before, so I really had no clue where the crew quarters were. Good thing for me, Latricia came onto the plane next, and saw my lost look.
"I'm guessing this is your first time on here, huh?" she asked, walking up to me.
"Was it that obvious?" I asked as she walked with me.
"Just a little," she replied with a grin. "Come on, I'll give you the fifty-cent tour."
"Can't I have the free tour?" I asked with a laugh.
"For you, I think I can," she laughed back.
Latricia walked passed me, leading the way to the quarters. Once there, we put our bags and coats in a closet, then she gave me a quick tour of the plane. She then gave a more detailed tour of first and business classes...the ones that really mattered to me.
Once her little tour was over, we headed back to the quarters so I could change my shoes. Boots, like the ones I was wearing, were not part of the uniform. As I was digging out my shoes, a young woman I hadn't met before walked into the quarters, also. I looked up at Latricia wondering if she knew this woman.
"Hello, I'm Latricia. Are you one of the new attendants joining us?" Latricia asked her.
"Uh, yes. My name's Fiona," the woman replied.
Fiona had her hair up in a bun, possibly making her look younger than she really was. She wore a string of pearls, which I found a little odd to wear with our very plain uniforms. She was also one of few female attendants I know to wear a skirt.
"Hi, Fiona. I'm Joanna, Jo for short," I said, sticking out my hand.
She hesitantly shook my hand; I could tell she was nervous about this.
"I'll meet you up in business," Latricia said to me, then walked out of the quarters with another smile to Fiona.
Fiona moved through the quarters to another closet, while I pulled on my other shoe.
"Oh, Fiona. I should probably tell you," I started, closing the closet door, "my husband is the captain. I'm telling you because one, every other flight attendant knows, and two, if you see us together, that's why. We just don't want passengers to know. Okay? I just didn't want to startle you or anything," I finished with a laugh.
"Thanks for the heads up, then," she smiled a little.
"Sure. Is this you're first flight?" I asked, being polite.
"No, second, actually. My first was the trip over here, but not on a plane like this," she admitted, motioning around her.
"Mine too...well, being on this sort of plane, anyway. I've been flying since college and that was a long time ago," I grinned. Fiona smirked, then I continued. "Are you nervous?"
She sighed. "A little."
"You'll do fine. If you need help with anything, just come find me. I'll be up in first and business classes," I smiled.
"All right. Thanks, Jo," she also smiled.
"No problem. Have a good takeoff if I don't see you again until then."
"You too."
I smiled again as I walked out of the quarters and up to business class, where Latricia was waiting for me.
"Everything all right?" she asked as I went down one aisle to check things, while she went down the other.
"I hate these shoes," I grumbled, then added: "Just helping the new kid out."
We got the rest of business and first class ready for its passengers, then waited in the galley until boarding. When people started boarding, Latricia and I both moved out of the galley and into our places in first class, checking tickets. People on this sort of flight are a whole lot more polite than on our normal 747 flights...meaning, everyone I said hello to, replied back; also meaning I wouldn't be able to dump something on someone this time. On purpose, anyway.
Once everyone was seated, one of the other flight attendants came over the PA system apologizing the passengers because of the delay. The snow had slowed, but the workers had to clear the runway. As the passengers were boarding, I heard the workers hosing down the side of the plane to get to ice off.
Not too long after the announcement was made, the engines roared to life, and we moved out into the line up...er, lack there of line up, actually. It was as if we were the only flight crazy enough to fly in this weather. Rich came over the PA explaining the delay and did his usual speech.
The passengers were quiet, which was a little eerie, but it was nothing to be anxious about. There was a baby crying at one point during takeoff, making me instantly think of James. I looked over at Latricia, sighing. She gave me a small, reassuring grin in return.
Once we were in the air, and at the right altitude, Rich or Lars turned off the 'fasten seatbelts' sign, and the clicking of belts was heard throughout the cabin. Latricia and I got up from our seats and headed to the galley to start getting beverages together. On my way there, a man in first class asked me for another blanket because his feet were cold...they stuck out of the end of the blanket. With a quiet laugh, I went to find another blanket, then brought it back to him. I then met Latricia in the galley.
"Did you get lost getting back here?" she joked.
"Funny...no, some guy wanted another blanket since his feet stuck out the bottom," I answered.
She laughed as we got drinks together. After I grabbed a coffee thermos, I turned around and almost ran into Bill, another attendant and the plane's bartender.
"Oh, Jo, sorry about that," he apologized, putting a hand on my shoulder.
"It's okay, you just startled me," I said with a grin.
"See any yuppies that might need a drink?" he asked both me and Latricia.
"Not yet, but after we get through, there might," Latricia replied.
"Good, I don't want to be out of a job," he smirked, then walked back out of the galley.
Latricia and I continued to get drinks ready and on the cart.
"Hey, have you seen the other newbie yet?" I asked her.
"Come to think of it, no, I haven't," she said. "Maybe she got stuck back in coach."
"Hmm, maybe I'll take a walk back there later."
Latricia nodded, then Katerina and Elias walked into the galley. The four of us took the carts out and served business, then first class. On this flight, Latricia and I mostly served first class passengers, while Elias and Katerina served business and beyond.
"Anyone you plan on dumping anything on this time?" Elias asked me quietly over the cart.
"Nope, not this time," I grinned.
"Damn..." he said, snapping his fingers.
"Maybe next flight," I reassured him.
"Hopefully," I heard him mutter.
We then rolled the cart out to business class and served them, then headed to first class. Once we finished with the drinks, we took the cart back to the galley, and cleaned it up.
Once the cart was cleaned up and Elias went off to do some other duties, Fiona approached me in the galley.
"Jo, can I ask you something?" she asked as she stood next to me.
"Sure, that's why I'm here," I said, leaning against the counter behind me, crossing my arms over my chest.
"You might consider it a little personal," she said quietly, looking at her hands.
"Fiona, just ask. If I feel it's too personal, I won't answer it, okay?" I said, putting a hand on her shoulder.
She looked up at me and nodded, while I grinned at her.
"How did you become a flight attendant? You seem too...nice to have a job like this," she said.
I laughed shortly. "Well, I was very young when I decided I wanted to fly. I went to college for piloting, along with my husband, which is where we met, by the way. I then received my private pilot's license, and I've been flying ever since, but had to take a break when I was pregnant, then Rich didn't want me to fly anymore. I couldn't just give up flying, though, so he suggested flight attending. And here I am," I explained.
"Wow, I would have never guessed," she said, obviously flabbergasted.
"Really?" she nodded. "I guess I was just born not to keep my feet on solid ground," I laughed. "Can I ask you something?...if you don't mind."
"Of course."
"Why'd you get into flight attending?"
"My family. Well, the women in my family, anyway. We've been attending since people have been flying," she answered with pride.
"Ah...and I thought I was born for it. It was literally in your blood," I said.
"You could say that," she smiled.
We both paused in conversation as a few passengers walked by, then Bill, heading to the bar in the lounge.
"Hey, Jo," he said, almost after he passed the galley. "Notice any takers?"
"A few were looking longingly in that direction, so I would say so," I answered with a smile.
"Great, thanks," he said, then walked on.
I turned back to Fiona. "Oh, do you happen to know the other new attendant?" I asked her, thinking maybe she would know.
"Uh, yes. I'll introduce you if you like," she offered.
"That'd be great. Show me the way," I replied, motioning for her to go forward.
Fiona walked us back to coach and she kept an eye out for the other newbie. When we got to the back of the plane, I noticed a woman stretched out, asleep, in the middle row. A blanket was in the row across the aisle from her. Once we passed the woman, we were in the last galley and could go no further.
Fiona sighed, just about to give up looking for the other newbie, when there was a noise from behind me and down, making me jump.
Latricia forgot to let me know there were stairs there.
Coming up the stairs was another woman I'd never seen before, so I assumed she was the other newbie to our crew. She had her short, light brown hair up in a low ponytail, and dark eyes.
"Oh, Stephanie, I was looking for you," Fiona said, stopping the woman. "This is Jo. She wanted to meet you. Jo, this is Stephanie."
"Hello, Stephanie. Nice to finally meet you. I don't like not knowing who I'm working with," I grinned, extending my hand.
"Ah, Jo. Same here," she said. "I finally get to have a face for the name now."
"Why? What did you hear about me?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Oh, nothing bad. Everything was good. They say you really know your stuff," she said.
"Really? Just out of curiosity, what have you heard?"
"You used to be a pilot, so you can calm passengers by explaining odd things to them...and your husband is a pilot, also."
She made me blush a little at that compliment.
"Oh, well, thank you, then," I finally said, softly. "And my husband is more than a pilot; he's a captain...captain of this flight, actually. So if you happen to see us together, that's why. Just so you know."
"I'll keep that in mind, thanks," Stephanie said with a grin. "Excuse me, I have someone waiting for a drink. Again, it was nice to meet you, Jo."
"You too, Stephanie," I said as she walked passed Fiona and I.
"Well, I should get back to the passengers," Fiona said with a sigh.
"Yeah, I have to get some coffee to the pilots," I said, smirking.
"You just want to see your husband," she said, nudging my elbow with a grin.
I chuckled. "You caught me, but they really do need coffee."
"All right. See you later, then," she said, still grinning.
"See you."
Fiona then went down one side of the plane, while I went down the other, all the way up to first class (without being stopped by a passenger, amazingly enough). As I walked into first class, I noticed a lot of people watching movies and sleeping. I was almost to the front of the class to get the coffee for Rich and Lars, when a woman stopped me.
A/N: Okay, here's the deal...I WILL NOT UPDATE until I get at least 3 (that's right, three) reviews. I know you people are reading this (few you may be), so it won't hurt to let me know your thoughts on this. How am I supposed to know if you like it or not if you don't let me know...even if it's just to say 'good' or 'bad'. I'll take anything. Just as long as I get those reviews...until that happens, don't expect an update...