I am standing on a dock, overlooking the water’s edge. I’m dressed in my flight attendant uniform, ready for duty – only something is missing. Where is the airline ID tag I’m supposed to wear? The flight manual that is supposed to accompany me on every trip? I speak to the pilot standing next to me. “What is the procedure for taking this trip? It’s been awhile since I’ve been called to work a flight. Shouldn’t I at least have to take the yearly refresher/certification course?” I’m assured none of that is necessary, and with that, a new journey begins…
This dream has haunted me for the past twenty+ years. The sad thing is, the only time this dream is triggered is when I’ve heard on the news about another airline tragedy. In the dream I had this morning, I was standing at the dock overlooking an airplane that had been downed in water, yet I’m not deterred – they need me. The circumstances in my recurring dream often changes – sometimes I’m actually working flight, other times I’m in the main office asking for back wages for all the flights I’ve worked without pay (!) – but several things remain constant. I never have the ID badge needed to pass security, and I have lost my in-flight manual that is mandatory to carry. I think that the training I received to be a flight attendant for Northwest Orient Airlines (yes, it was called that back when I started) was extremely thorough, for it sticks with me to this day! Though I only flew with them for two years, that part of my history will stay with me forever.
And because a post isn’t a post without a picture to back it up, I found an image of my first training flight with Northwest Orient Airlines – a 747 trip from Minneapolis-St. Paul to JFK in New York City. We were so thrilled! (I’m the one in the white suit…)
by Lorraine Marie
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