Smile if you are a Bostonian; the world is watching you. Flight attendants list seven reasons they love to fly. And, enjoy some amazing airport architecture.
Watching Boston residents play daily game of ‘Big City’
I lived in Boston for years, moving there from years in Europe and two years in New York. This Onion piece perfectly captures Beantown for me. Read it and smile, even Bostonians.
Inhabitants of real cities across the nation smiled in affectionate amusement as Bostonians put on their big-city clothes, swiped their Charlie cards for a ride on one of the MBTA’s trolley-like subway cars— charmingly called the “T” — and rushed downtown for “important” business meetings at the John Hancock Building, the South Boston Innovation District, and other pretend centers of global industry and commerce.
“You have to admit, seeing them scurrying around in the morning for their big day in the city — it’s pretty cute,” New York resident Michael Goodman said as the Bay State busybodies emulated life in a large epicenter of American culture and politics. “When they look down at their watches and start hurrying down the street like they’re headed to some of sort of huge, important meeting, it’s hard not to smile. I mean, they look like they really think they are doing something significant.”
Seven surprising reasons to be a flight attendant
A recent Delta Airline call for flight attendant applications drew hundreds of thousands of applicants. Why would anyone want a job where they have to deal with irritated passengers all day long? Worse, passengers you can’t get away from. Sara Keagle takes a look at reasons why one might want to be a flight attendant. They may be eye-opening.
It definitely takes a special person who can handle the job; one who enjoys flying, is independent and can handle many different, unique situations. Those that make it past the first six months tend to have it in their blood and become what we refer to as “Lifers.” On a personal note, having worked for an airline for 20 years, I am definitely a “Lifer” and find that being a flight attendant is not as much a job as it is a lifestyle.
Here are seven surprising reasons this career draws so much interest:
1. You’re not too old! Airlines hire all ages.
2. Equal pay for equal work. A flight attendant career is one of the few that also doesn’t discriminate against one’s gender.
3. More equality. The airlines were one of the first industries to grant equality to gay people in the form of travel benefits, health insurance and other benefits that may only be afforded to traditional couples at other companies.
4. Free travel. You’ve probably heard flight attendants complaining that non-reving or “stand by” travel isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. I disagree.
5. Another common misconception is low pay. Not so.
6. Speaking of flexibility, you probably also heard that seniority is everything at the airlines and that one is true. Once you have what’s called a “line,” meaning you are off of “reserve status” (on call), it’s pretty much like running your own business, but without the headaches.
7. You have instant family.
Here is an interesting story about advertising for flight attendants from Asia. It is a different perspective.
9 stunning next-gen airport designs cleared for takeoff
Some of the most amazing architecture in the world today is being created for airports. This story has pictures of spectacular airports either completed or in the planning stages. The USA is represented by Denver International Airport and San Francisco’s control tower design.
Few of us will have the chance to visit an office designed by a world-class architect; an even smaller group will enjoy the luxury of living in a home designed by one. But for the price of a coach ticket, we can visit amazing spaces crafted by top designers, and enjoy their work while eating a slightly stale Cinnabon.
Airports, especially those in big cities, expose an architect’s work to millions of people every year and are highly sought-after assignments. New projects are awarded through competitions that can span years; once granted, they may take decades to be fully completed.
Charlie Leocha is the President of Travelers United. He has been working in Washington, DC, for the past 14 years with Congress, the Department of Transportation, and industry stakeholders on travel issues. He was the first consumer representative to the Advisory Committee for Aviation Consumer Protections appointed by the Secretary of Transportation from 2012 through 2018.
