Debra
The Living Force
After several conversations with my husband, as well as hearing from friends and acquaintances we both have made over the years, I’d like to share this heartfelt and very human insight into this horrific and tragic happening.
My husband(who has 40 years of aviation experience, the last 30 in commercial aviation, 10 years as a trained aviation “Crash site investigator” during the last 20 years of his unblemished career as Captain, on numerous aircraft, (the CRJ being just one) received this testimonial from someone he has worked with over the last 20 years.
Sharing it with the forum as it may give some insight for those unaware of the depth of impact this has had not only on “the general public”, but on an industry of dedicated and committed professionals with morals and commitment. @Charade, I see you, and my condolences.
Divine Cosmic Mind, have mercy.
Written by a senior Flight Attendant and former colleague of my husband:
“If you’re doing it right - every take off and every landing a flight attendant is in a state of preparation for the worst.
The details in your head become filled with actions / equipment/ commands/ so much so that you can readily blurt the first syllable of the word “EMERGENCY” without any hesitation.
Aside from the parodies you see on the internet - the general public has no idea of the state of readiness we are in - and over the years - the position has become pretty much a minimum wage entry job.
It takes a very special person to do this and commit to it - and then also perform (like an actor) to create a comfortable place and a restful journey for folks - flight after flight.
Pilots (I almost became one) are doing the same thing every flight and are trained to illicit that very same type of response to overcome a “shock startle reflex” and handle anything that is thrown at them.
We… (the flight attendant) are the in between - taking care of the needs of the folks in the seats - as we whisk them to meetings and vacations - reunions - events - one flight at a time.
Today - I have done this for 36 years. I have created relationships with friends in this industry and we have become family.
During my last silent review - as I sat in that state of readiness - with a little bit of knowledge of PSA 5342 - I had to overcome more that a shock startle reflect.
I had to fight a profound sadness.
There have been very few incidents involving the aircraft type I work on. The last one was a tragic “single person” event in Seattle when a Q-400 was lost.
In that incident I was astounded at the manoeuvres that aircraft went through and remained structurally sound.
In this instance - it was different.
I sat and heard (if you’re trained well you hear these things) - the radar altimeter call “1000”as I began thinking about “what I would do”. I focused on things like exits and words that would be needed. I briefly thought about how tired I was and the drive ahead of me.
The family - then cleared my head and back to the commands. “500”. Equipment locations “You hold people back”. “Lights -camera - action”. “100”.
“50-40-30-20-10”. Contact.
As we rolled out I thought “Pretty good Chris- but Jenna’s was better in San Diego”.
I picked up the PA.
I said “and I hope we’ll see you again soon…”
We said goodbye and thank you.
Many of the passengers didn’t know.
After a day of weather delays we even finished a 13 hour day on schedule.
Then I looked at the news.
400 feet.
That would have been about 10-15 seconds after “500”.
The flash.
The noise.
The water.
The “it won’t happen to me”.
36 years and I’m still going.
Still a professional - still care about what I do and still try to mentor those that are learning the ropes because I still am.
I won’t stop because I love it.
I will weep for this because it hurts and hits close.
We had an aircraft near the event and I believe it was in a line waiting to depart.
This one will take a while to stop thinking about.
But we will carry on managing the carry ons.
I’ll be saying “Welcome aboard” again a few hours.
I won’t be the only one.
We know what you were doing.
Thinking.
Preparing for.
We can’t believe what happened.
We are with you and you will always be with us.
January 30 1989. Today 36 years later it hits a bit different. “Clear for the door”.
My husband(who has 40 years of aviation experience, the last 30 in commercial aviation, 10 years as a trained aviation “Crash site investigator” during the last 20 years of his unblemished career as Captain, on numerous aircraft, (the CRJ being just one) received this testimonial from someone he has worked with over the last 20 years.
Sharing it with the forum as it may give some insight for those unaware of the depth of impact this has had not only on “the general public”, but on an industry of dedicated and committed professionals with morals and commitment. @Charade, I see you, and my condolences.
Divine Cosmic Mind, have mercy.
Written by a senior Flight Attendant and former colleague of my husband:
“If you’re doing it right - every take off and every landing a flight attendant is in a state of preparation for the worst.
The details in your head become filled with actions / equipment/ commands/ so much so that you can readily blurt the first syllable of the word “EMERGENCY” without any hesitation.
Aside from the parodies you see on the internet - the general public has no idea of the state of readiness we are in - and over the years - the position has become pretty much a minimum wage entry job.
It takes a very special person to do this and commit to it - and then also perform (like an actor) to create a comfortable place and a restful journey for folks - flight after flight.
Pilots (I almost became one) are doing the same thing every flight and are trained to illicit that very same type of response to overcome a “shock startle reflex” and handle anything that is thrown at them.
We… (the flight attendant) are the in between - taking care of the needs of the folks in the seats - as we whisk them to meetings and vacations - reunions - events - one flight at a time.
Today - I have done this for 36 years. I have created relationships with friends in this industry and we have become family.
During my last silent review - as I sat in that state of readiness - with a little bit of knowledge of PSA 5342 - I had to overcome more that a shock startle reflect.
I had to fight a profound sadness.
There have been very few incidents involving the aircraft type I work on. The last one was a tragic “single person” event in Seattle when a Q-400 was lost.
In that incident I was astounded at the manoeuvres that aircraft went through and remained structurally sound.
In this instance - it was different.
I sat and heard (if you’re trained well you hear these things) - the radar altimeter call “1000”as I began thinking about “what I would do”. I focused on things like exits and words that would be needed. I briefly thought about how tired I was and the drive ahead of me.
The family - then cleared my head and back to the commands. “500”. Equipment locations “You hold people back”. “Lights -camera - action”. “100”.
“50-40-30-20-10”. Contact.
As we rolled out I thought “Pretty good Chris- but Jenna’s was better in San Diego”.
I picked up the PA.
I said “and I hope we’ll see you again soon…”
We said goodbye and thank you.
Many of the passengers didn’t know.
After a day of weather delays we even finished a 13 hour day on schedule.
Then I looked at the news.
400 feet.
That would have been about 10-15 seconds after “500”.
The flash.
The noise.
The water.
The “it won’t happen to me”.
36 years and I’m still going.
Still a professional - still care about what I do and still try to mentor those that are learning the ropes because I still am.
I won’t stop because I love it.
I will weep for this because it hurts and hits close.
We had an aircraft near the event and I believe it was in a line waiting to depart.
This one will take a while to stop thinking about.
But we will carry on managing the carry ons.
I’ll be saying “Welcome aboard” again a few hours.
I won’t be the only one.
We know what you were doing.
Thinking.
Preparing for.
We can’t believe what happened.
We are with you and you will always be with us.
January 30 1989. Today 36 years later it hits a bit different. “Clear for the door”.
