Sunday, March 29, 2009

International, First Class, London Heathrow (up)

As of next week, I will have been coming to the Heathrow-up for a year. I'm sure if you looked at a record of all my trips, this is by far the place I've been to the most, with Dublin or Manchester shortly behind. I have been to the Tate Modern, seen Wicked at the Apollo, a drag queen perform at the coolest night club with my boys (S&C I love yous guys), G-A-Y and G-A-Y Late, all the mushy peas and Nando's you could eat. I have indulged my love of beer, refined my awesome style in Primark, M&S, and Debenhams. I've met some of the most amazing people both here and good old Gatwick that have changed my life and the way I choose to look at the world. I know the big fancy line holders refuse to come here (well right now I wish they did), but this hotel and city has been my home away from home for a year. As for now, this is my life and its what my juniority can hold and I have chosen to embrace this is city of fog and love it...



My current career goal is to learn German, be a speaker, and hold Frankfurt.

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Geneva! Frustrations and Praises

I'm sitting in Switzerland at the moment, and would like to take this opportunity to express frustrations at the meteorologists and foreign carrier that used to stay at this hotel. First of all, it is not raining. The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, and I packed my ugly layover clothes. Awesome. And as for you, you foreign carrier who was kicked out of this hotel, thanks for doing whatever it is that you do to have our microwave privileges revoked. Swiss francs are just about one to one to the dollar, and a club soda at the bar is 6 of them. I took the time to bring dinner with me and now I'm going to have to imagine-er a way to heat it up in my room using a high ball glass, two tea cups, and a Euro kettle. Score.

However, I must admit that I'm rather excited not to be in LHR! Last night I had alert till 11:30, and there was a late LHR that I was eligible to pick up. I got bumped at 2:30; scheduling interrupted my crew rest to let me know but I ignored them like a good reserve. They called again at 10:30 am to tell me I was indeed bumped and at that moment, a Geneva had popped into open time. I would like to give a shout out to the scheduler who let me have it! I won't be sending you a key chain as you had requested, due to the fact that I can't afford it, but I appreciate what you did for me. I won't even grieve the rest interruption :)
*Update* - After I posted the above, I went outside for a walk and just as I stepped out of the door, big slushy rain flakes began to fall from the sky. Just my luck. I ended up at the grocery store, and then it was back to my room. The only thing missing was my sweat pants!

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Nice Try

Dear Ex-Boyfriend(s),

Now I'm not sure which one of you, but I'm missing a few of my classic cds such as Finch, The Starting Line, GUK, Pink Floyd, etc. There is no way that I can possibly know what it is to burn, or continue to have east coast envy with out them. Please return them to me; I still live in the same white house with black shutters. I may still have a few things of yours like a teddy bear or two, but you took back all the other good stuff.

I'm guessing this means that I'm just out a few cds and will have to fly an extra LHR to purchase them back...

Worth a shot, right?

Always (just not forever),
Alyssa

PS - Tonight, I have airport alert from 1930 to 2330.

Friday, March 20, 2009

Catering to Crew Members

I think that someone should provide oil changes and other car related services for crew members while they are on their trips. I am in dire need of an oil change and firmly believe that I should be able to pay someone to take care of this while I'm flying. I'll be gone for 48 hours; that's plenty of time. I could go to work, park my car, drop my keys off, and when I get back - BAM! Fresh oil for another 3,000 miles. How exciting would that be??? It would almost be as cool as as crew line in the supermarket...

Monday, March 2, 2009

Well... Part Zwei

Saturday, I did a Dominican Republic turn; there was this guy sitting in first class with his father reading a Vonnegut book. I stopped to chat and of course as it would turn out, he too majored in geography and loves to read. Surprisingly enough, he slipped me his number disguised as a Vonnegut reading list. No, he wasn't my type and no I will not be calling him. Perhaps if I keep passing out my number, karma will keep slipping me others and eventually we'll both get this aeronautical love equation right ;)