It's a furlough. No benefits - no medical, no life insurance, no flight benefits, no nothing. It starts 9/1/08.
I got assigned a trip to Omaha tomorrow with a showtime of 6AM. I decided to call my Manager to see what the rules are for flying with a splint. It's not allowed, and he told me to call crew scheduling and take myself off the available list.
Next, my doctor from Saturday called and said that there's a possible fracture in my wrist. I need to go see an orthopedic guy to decide whether or not I need a cast...
It's been a really tough day.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Now I'm REALLY Confused!
Since I had just had a conversation with the VP of Inflight in the crewroom last Thursday, I decided to email her and ask why I'm now being eliminated instead of furloughed. She responded within 20 minutes and said that the letter I received is required by law and that it is their policy to furlough flight attendants.
So I just wrote her back and told her that I was even more confused...the letter says I'm permanently eliminated, but then she says I'm furloughed. Only one can be right, and I need to know which one it is.
Well...at least I know that my tear ducts work very well.
So I just wrote her back and told her that I was even more confused...the letter says I'm permanently eliminated, but then she says I'm furloughed. Only one can be right, and I need to know which one it is.
Well...at least I know that my tear ducts work very well.
Furlough my Foot!
I just received a letter via overnight delivery from Frontier...starts out: "We regret to inform you that as of September 1, 2008, Frontier Airlines will be permanently eliminating a number of positions at DIA... You are receiving this official notice because your job will be eliminated as of September 1, 2008."
Lovely, huh? Here I thought I'd be waiting in the wings until things got better. Instead, I'm out in the cold.
Lovely, huh? Here I thought I'd be waiting in the wings until things got better. Instead, I'm out in the cold.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Ouchie!
As if being furloughed wasn't enough, I had an unfortuate incident on Friday with:
I will let you use your imaginations as to how the scene unfolded, but the end result was a sore right wrist. So sore that I ended up at the doctor's office yesterday. One temporary splint and five x-rays later, I am resting comfortably. No word yet as to whether it is a fracture or a sprain...but my vote is going to a sprain.
I am back on duty on Tuesday, July 1 and I know for sure that they are not going to like my splint...stay tuned for the next exciting episode!
The Dog
The Newly Washed Kitchen Floor
My Slippers
The Lawn Service
As I lay on the floor after experiencing all of the above, I realized that I now know how it feels to fall when you are old...I will let you use your imaginations as to how the scene unfolded, but the end result was a sore right wrist. So sore that I ended up at the doctor's office yesterday. One temporary splint and five x-rays later, I am resting comfortably. No word yet as to whether it is a fracture or a sprain...but my vote is going to a sprain.
I am back on duty on Tuesday, July 1 and I know for sure that they are not going to like my splint...stay tuned for the next exciting episode!
Thursday, June 26, 2008
DEVASTATION
Frontier Airlines announced yesterday that we are facing a reduction in our fleet, as well as a 17% across the board reduction in force. It looks like at least 170 flight attendants will be furloughed (rehired at a later date). I guess that's better than in the other departments...they are being terminated.
It is so, so sad. My eyes kept tearing up when I was in the crewroom - our VP - Inflight was there answering questions, and it sounds like it's a done deal. She's going to try and make it voluntary, but I doubt seriously that they'll get enough people willing to take an early retirement. I am 79 from the bottom of 1037 flight attendants, and am pretty sure that I will soon be without this wonderful job.
So I am grieving the news today, and know that one of these days that I will pick myself up, brush myself off, and move on to something bigger and better. Maybe I'll become a Circus Clown, a Cruise Line Director, or maybe an Underwater Basket Weaver.
Any ideas?
It is so, so sad. My eyes kept tearing up when I was in the crewroom - our VP - Inflight was there answering questions, and it sounds like it's a done deal. She's going to try and make it voluntary, but I doubt seriously that they'll get enough people willing to take an early retirement. I am 79 from the bottom of 1037 flight attendants, and am pretty sure that I will soon be without this wonderful job.
So I am grieving the news today, and know that one of these days that I will pick myself up, brush myself off, and move on to something bigger and better. Maybe I'll become a Circus Clown, a Cruise Line Director, or maybe an Underwater Basket Weaver.
Any ideas?
Mom to the Rescue!
I took the redeye flight to NYC and arrived at Jen's around 8AM. We slept in until around 1PM and then spent the next three days watching "The Gilmore Girls," eating ice cream, walking, climbing 6 flights of stairs, going to Vynl for breakfast/lunch/dinner, walking, going to Jen's job, running errands, walking, climbing 6 flights of stairs, doing laundry, and climbing 6 flights of stairs.
I turned into my Mom when I said "Let's clean your closet!" to Jen. But she let me. I emptied things out, made more room available, bought a shoe rack for their hallway, etc. etc. etc. I even have a couple things lined up to do the next time I am there.
While Jen worked, I played with my new camera, testing it out on unsuspecting tourists, as well as worked on my Sudoku puzzle book.
Jen is doing very well. She played in the Broadway Softball League today on the "In the Heights" team - they won! Yippee!
I turned into my Mom when I said "Let's clean your closet!" to Jen. But she let me. I emptied things out, made more room available, bought a shoe rack for their hallway, etc. etc. etc. I even have a couple things lined up to do the next time I am there.
While Jen worked, I played with my new camera, testing it out on unsuspecting tourists, as well as worked on my Sudoku puzzle book.
Jen is doing very well. She played in the Broadway Softball League today on the "In the Heights" team - they won! Yippee!
Sunday, June 22, 2008
What a Weekend!
On Friday, I got the extra jumpseat on the flight to Chicago...! Whew! There are perks to being a flight attendant.
The wedding yesterday was gorgeous. I will post some pictures soon. The reception was at this fantastic place in Frankfort, IL - it was a large building with walls that opened - so it was an indoor/outdoor party. Open bar, dance floor, delicious buffet, firepit, waterfall & pond, gazebos. And it was a beautiful evening weatherwise. I caught up with most of my first cousins, hung out with a few of their kids, and ate delicious wedding cake and candy from the Candy Bar!
I spent a portion of this morning with my long-time friend Joan - she picked me up at Midway airport and drove me to O'Hare. We stopped for breakfast along the way, so we had a nice, but short, visit. At O'Hare, I visited the concourses where US Airways, Delta, American and JetBlue have their gates and tried unsuccessfully to get on a flight to NYC. Each of those carriers had cancelled a flight to NYC today!!! So all their remaining flights were packed.
So then I took the train from O'Hare to Midway - at one point, we had to get off the train, get on a bus, and then get back on the train...the line was under construction! Anyway, when I got back to Midway I tried to get on two different Delta flights to NYC, but they had also cancelled an earlier flight and were begging people to give up their seats. What the heck is going on?!?!
But I did get a regular seat on Frontier back to Denver. Then I went to another concourse to see if there were any more flights to NYC today - JetBlue had one...but they cancelled it!!! So...I went to the Frontier counter and found out that our redeye flight (leaves DEN at 12:35AM and arrives around 6AM) is overbooked by two seats and has 5 standbys, none of whom are flight attendants...so I am planning to fly the jumpseat...that is not going to be pleasant on an overnight flight. But at least I will get to NYC.
I had better go take a nap...
The wedding yesterday was gorgeous. I will post some pictures soon. The reception was at this fantastic place in Frankfort, IL - it was a large building with walls that opened - so it was an indoor/outdoor party. Open bar, dance floor, delicious buffet, firepit, waterfall & pond, gazebos. And it was a beautiful evening weatherwise. I caught up with most of my first cousins, hung out with a few of their kids, and ate delicious wedding cake and candy from the Candy Bar!
I spent a portion of this morning with my long-time friend Joan - she picked me up at Midway airport and drove me to O'Hare. We stopped for breakfast along the way, so we had a nice, but short, visit. At O'Hare, I visited the concourses where US Airways, Delta, American and JetBlue have their gates and tried unsuccessfully to get on a flight to NYC. Each of those carriers had cancelled a flight to NYC today!!! So all their remaining flights were packed.
So then I took the train from O'Hare to Midway - at one point, we had to get off the train, get on a bus, and then get back on the train...the line was under construction! Anyway, when I got back to Midway I tried to get on two different Delta flights to NYC, but they had also cancelled an earlier flight and were begging people to give up their seats. What the heck is going on?!?!
But I did get a regular seat on Frontier back to Denver. Then I went to another concourse to see if there were any more flights to NYC today - JetBlue had one...but they cancelled it!!! So...I went to the Frontier counter and found out that our redeye flight (leaves DEN at 12:35AM and arrives around 6AM) is overbooked by two seats and has 5 standbys, none of whom are flight attendants...so I am planning to fly the jumpseat...that is not going to be pleasant on an overnight flight. But at least I will get to NYC.
I had better go take a nap...
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Living the High Life
My daughter never ceases to amaze me. She has a job selling merchandise at Broadway shows - two of which just happened to have won major awards on Sunday night! She did not attend the Tony Awards Show at Radio City Music Hall, but instead, her boss Matt gave the sales crew tickets to the "Viewing Party/After-Party" for "In the Heights." Here's a picture of her and her boss at the party:
She occasionally works at "South Pacific," which won the "Best Revival of a Musical" Tony award (along with SIX other Tony awards), and most often she works at "In The Heights," which won the "Best Musical" Tony award (along with THREE other Tony awards)! So, of course, she had to have her picture taken kissing Lin's actual "Best Score" Tony...
and a picture with the guy who created and starred in the show,
Lin-Manuel Miranda...
And...let's not forget those that attended the party who are famous in their own right! Here's a picture of Brooke Shields (who, surprisingly, wasn't the nicest person) ....
and a picture with the hottest man on earth - Taye Diggs.
What a rough life she is leading...
A Purpose!
Yesterday I researched the Internet for my in-laws...I went in search of Pickleball and Retirement Communities. Here are my results:
Pickleball exists in Colorado Springs! This is the sport that my father-in-law plays practically every day. In fact, he has a gold medal from the Senior Olympics in Arlington, VA! So, if and when he relocates, he'd like an area that has already established the sport...most are located in FL, TX and AZ, but we did find one group here. That's a start.
Next, we looked into two retirement communities - one well-established and very large (500+ residents) and one under construction and relatively small (around 100 residents). They favored the smaller site - the model homes were awesome! Plus, it is connected to the gerontology and psychology departments of the University of Colorado, as well as their nursing school Beth-El College. There will be lots of activities, based on what the residents want, they've lured away a chef from a local restaurant, and the location is down the hill from where we live. We're going back this afternoon to take a hard hat tour of the actual units that are available.
Lastly, I went to the website for the Colorado Springs Senior Center and printed their Summer 2008 Activity Book. Let's just say...between that book and the activities that will be offered by the residence, if anyone is "bored" it is their own doggone fault!
It's a hard decision to sell the family home and move across the country, so don't expect any news flashes...but at least we've researched the available options in our area, and they know what to expect as far as activities.
Pickleball exists in Colorado Springs! This is the sport that my father-in-law plays practically every day. In fact, he has a gold medal from the Senior Olympics in Arlington, VA! So, if and when he relocates, he'd like an area that has already established the sport...most are located in FL, TX and AZ, but we did find one group here. That's a start.
Next, we looked into two retirement communities - one well-established and very large (500+ residents) and one under construction and relatively small (around 100 residents). They favored the smaller site - the model homes were awesome! Plus, it is connected to the gerontology and psychology departments of the University of Colorado, as well as their nursing school Beth-El College. There will be lots of activities, based on what the residents want, they've lured away a chef from a local restaurant, and the location is down the hill from where we live. We're going back this afternoon to take a hard hat tour of the actual units that are available.
Lastly, I went to the website for the Colorado Springs Senior Center and printed their Summer 2008 Activity Book. Let's just say...between that book and the activities that will be offered by the residence, if anyone is "bored" it is their own doggone fault!
It's a hard decision to sell the family home and move across the country, so don't expect any news flashes...but at least we've researched the available options in our area, and they know what to expect as far as activities.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Yesterday
Yesterday is a blur. I woke up at 3:40AM (DC time) and drove to Diane's house to pick her and her family up and drive them to the airport. Then I drove back to Mom's, put the finishing touches on my face, and then she and I drove back to Diane's to pick up my cousins Pat and Rory, and ended up back at the airport!
This time, I got out, too...everyone else we brought to the airport was heading to Nassau, but I was heading back to CO with my in-laws. They arrived soon after and we played "the waiting game" wondering if we were all going to be able to squeeze onto the flight. SUCCESS!
I gave (Hershey's) kisses to each of the crewmembers as a thank you for the ride, and we were on our way. But once we were back in CO, I realized I still had to drive to Colorado Springs! I took my in-laws on a harrowing ride...weaving in and out of traffic, speeding up to 84mph and down to whatever the hog in the left lane felt like driving, all in my quest to return home. Yikes!
Once home, we visited Safeway to plan that evening's meal (Crockpot Classics are a LIFESAVER), and then I tried to stay awake for the rest of the evening. Greg arrived home at around 6:45PM or so, dinner was at 7:15PM or so, and I was in bed at around 9PM or so. I don't quite remember getting ready.
But today is a new day! Everyone is up and about...and I'm not sure what the plans are for the day. Stay tuned!
This time, I got out, too...everyone else we brought to the airport was heading to Nassau, but I was heading back to CO with my in-laws. They arrived soon after and we played "the waiting game" wondering if we were all going to be able to squeeze onto the flight. SUCCESS!
I gave (Hershey's) kisses to each of the crewmembers as a thank you for the ride, and we were on our way. But once we were back in CO, I realized I still had to drive to Colorado Springs! I took my in-laws on a harrowing ride...weaving in and out of traffic, speeding up to 84mph and down to whatever the hog in the left lane felt like driving, all in my quest to return home. Yikes!
Once home, we visited Safeway to plan that evening's meal (Crockpot Classics are a LIFESAVER), and then I tried to stay awake for the rest of the evening. Greg arrived home at around 6:45PM or so, dinner was at 7:15PM or so, and I was in bed at around 9PM or so. I don't quite remember getting ready.
But today is a new day! Everyone is up and about...and I'm not sure what the plans are for the day. Stay tuned!
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