www.fithiansphotos.com

Grant Park on Election Night

IMG_4542
Originally uploaded by JFithian.

There are many perks of my job, like happening to have a downtown Chicago layover on Tuesday night, the night we found out who our 44th President was, Barack Obama.

Starting my day at 3.30 AM on the west coast, I did not know I would end up in Chicago, but it happened.

Speaking with other crew members, I found out that Obama was going to have a rally in Grant Park in downtown Chicago - hopefully to celebrate his victory. I immediately got excited and could not wait to attend.

After getting into the hotel after 5 PM, Jeff (another crew member) and I decided to head off to the rally.

I wish I brought my large SLR camera, but typically on domestic trips, I do not. It is a pain to lug around and often my layovers are quite short. Instead, I bring my Canon point and shoot. The quality is awful and I use it primarily for photos of friends. I took a few quick snaps, but, eh, nothing to be proud of.

Now, I'm not trying to undermine the excitement of the event, it was, but, there were TWO separate entrances to the event. The "ticket holder" area, which was where Obama actually spoke on stage and the likes of Oprah and Jessie Jackson were present in the crowd. On the left side, was the "non ticket holder" entrance. This is where the rest of the common folk were - reported about 240,000 people were all crammed into the other side of the park.

We got there very early. At the time, CNN was on one jumbo screen. There were people selling all sorts of Obama gear, from t-shirts to buttons. There were also vendors selling pizza and Pepsi.

As the night grew later, so did the crowd and the excitement. After the polls close from time zone to time zone and and predictions came, the crowd yelled and cheered. Everyone was so excited, so hopeful, in high spirits.

More screens popped up too. I counted 5 CNN jumbo screens and there were huge crowds among each screen.

Come 10 PM Central time, the moment the polls closed on the west coast and CNN made its announcement of Obama becoming the next president, the crowd erupted.

Tears, screams, jumping up and down. It was such an exciting moment. I can't believe I was actually there.

I left the park shortly before he came on stage and gave his speech. I was cold and tired. Although I could see the spotlights in the distance from where he would be on stage, I would not be able to see him. I opted to watch the speech from my room.

As we were leaving, more people came running into the park. I have never seen so many people come flooding in one area.

I made it back to my room to watch the speech in time and was amazed. I am proud of our nation to have elected Obama. I sat there, excited about the possibilities that lie ahead for our country and perhaps, the rest of the world will see it too. We are ready for change.

Don’t get confused by the wording - it’s No on 8!

I’ve been meaning to write a blog about this whole election nonsense and the garbage people are spewing about Proposition 8. 

For those of you who are unaware (and not living in California), Proposition 8 is on the November ballot in California to “Eliminates Right of Same-Sex Couples to Marry. Initiative Constitutional Amendment.” Basically, if this were to pass, it would change the California Constitution to eliminate the rights of same-sex couples to marry, reversing the California Supreme Court decision that was made several months ago.

The group, ProtectMarriage.com received enough signatures (which is 8% of registered voters who last voted for the gubernatorial election) and sponsored the proposition.

I’ve been watching and reading some info about the “Yes on 8” campaign, trying to understand the arguments to why people are so opposed to same-sex marriage.

It turns out, most of the ideas revolve around religious institutions with the continued notion that marriage belongs between a man and a women, the way God intended.

Excuse me for sounding silly, but I thought we live in a society that is separated by Church and State. Yes, it is true that some people do have their ceremonies sanctified by a religious institution, but it is not mandated.

People are so passionate about this issue on both sides - donating a lot of time and money to fight. I think it is ridiculous how much money people are wasting on ads space where the money could go elsewhere - like worrying about the economy, health care and the environment.

The underlying factor is about change. People are very fearful of what they “think” may occur if same-sex marriage is allowed to continue in California. I’ve read anything from the end of civilization as we know it to same-sex marriage will then allow anyone to marry, including animals or even incest. The opponents of same-sex marriage try to drag children into the argument, saying that California will have to teach children about same-sex marriage.

Well, same-sex marriage has been going on for sometime in the state of Massachusetts and Canada. Where is this mass chaos and the end of civilization? The state hasn’t sunk. God hasn’t struck down on the state. Animals are not getting married. School children are not being taught about same-sex marriage. Life is carrying on as normal. Even now Connecticut has joined the rank of marriage equality.

This election is more important than ever. Leave the state's constitution alone and don't add hate into it. Allow two people who love each other to be recognized by the government. Do not allow our state to fall backwards. It is about equality.

Make your voice be heard and vote No on Proposition 8!

It's happening - Facebook is it!

Ever since Facebook unlocked it's doors to allow everyone to join, people have been swarming in. Once the creative team added the whole new application aspect, it's been a favorite. It's almost time to say goodbye to Myspace.

I appreciate Facebook's cleaner look rather than be bombarded with spam requests and advertisements which constantly remind me that Myspace is a product of Rupert Murdoch's empire. I do not have to worry about getting my account hacked or have trouble signing into the site.

Apparently I'm not the only one who's spending more time over on Facebook. According to a CNET article, Facebook will overtake Myspace as the top social-networking site in the US in the next few months.

So why am I still on Myspace? For those few stubborn people who will not switch over. Give them time. :c)

September - In Numbers

September has been the slowest month of flying; airline capacity was reduced system wide, resulting in less amount of flying for me and my fellow colleagues.

Announced late August, to battle the overage of flight attendants, 1,550, about 10% of our workforce would be reduced, also known as furloughed. Well, not to be worried, I am free from the cuts as I was informed last week. Enough people volunteered to leave - taking their medical, dental, and flying benefits with them from a period varying 6 to 21 months.

So, will October have better flying for me? Probably not. The furloughs do not go into effect until October 31st, technically our November schedule.

I was just chatting with a friend to detail how much little I've flown for the month of September.

A summary of September (which includes August 31 - September 30:

• As reserve, we are given 11 days off
• In addition, I was released from duty 10 days (So "off" for 21 days)
• I flew 6 days out of the month (2 - 2 day trips, 2 - 1 day trips)
• I was on standby for 4 days out of the month

Total, I worked 10 days out of the month, yielding me 62.25 hours, or 40.13 hours of ACTUAL flight time I flew this month. Typically I've been flying around 90 hours.

What a bad month!

Your Assignment is Released for the Day

Tomorrow will mark five days of being released from duty, meaning no work.

It is becoming a trend. 

I for sure thought that I would end up getting a two day trip - but, to no avail, not the case.

Yes, I am trying to remain optimistic and make use of my time, but it is a little difficult when there are bills to be paid -- especially being I just moved to Sean Francisco last Tuesday.

It is obvious there is an overage of flight attendants. Last month the company announced the need to reduce the work force by 1,550 flight attendants, which equates to about 10% of our workforce. 

I have already received a "warning" letter, informing me of my perhaps - involuntary furlough. 

I am not too concerned though, as I believe there are many other "senior" flight attendants who will go willing. Why?  Because they are offered their benefits - including flight, medical, dental, and of course, the most coveted - retaining and earning seniority -- all for not working. Who would not want to pass that up? Some will even file for unemployment and collect money because as history has told them, the company will not contest their claims.  Tisk, tisk!

It is not the furloughs I am worried about, it is the the ability to actually be working. 

The furloughs are supposed to go into effect October 31st -- during our November schedule. That means I still have another month and a half of not working. 

It's quite funny -- when I want the time off, I cannot get it. When I want to be working, I'm not. 

When I got a trip last week, I had a great time. Connecting back through Chicago, we were delayed for an hour and many of the passengers were tired and connecting from international flights. They wanted to go home. I still smiled and welcomed them aboard. I was just happy as could be to be working, it did not matter where I was going. I was truly enjoying my job. 

I think the fact of the matter is, I do not want to start looking for another job just yet. I haven't flown everywhere. The job isn't old. It is something I wake up and I am excited to go to. 

I can see why people stay in the profession; it is definitely a lifestyle. I'm not ready to get off just yet.

This is a security advisory...

I am at SFO right now and it is so quite. It is five minutes to 11 PM and here on airport standby. I started my sit at 9.15 PM and have to wait here until 1.15 AM. I know I will not be getting a trip this evening.

I keep hearing the echo of the different secuirty announcements. Many of the flights have already departed for the evening.

We just started cutting back our flying schedule two days ago, as it's now 'fall,' and it is already evident by the lack of flying available.  Many FAs have been released the past few days and I expect I will tomorrow.

Okay, I would like to type more and more, but the computer systems here do not refresh type very quickly and it is starting to annoy me... :c)

Such the aviation nerd...

I still do not know the exact moment, but I am still enamored with the whole aviation industry. I love reading about it, I love looking at images, I love (for the most part) my job. :c)

A few weeks ago I came across this website called Flight Memory (www.flightmemory.com). The website allows visitors to input their flight data from trips taken all over the world. The website then creates a map with that data, along with which airlines flown, how many flights, and how many hours one has been in the air.

Over a period of a few days, I inputed several hundred of my flights I've been on during the last eight months. What can I say? I am a nerd - I have tried to keep record of the flights I've flown on since I've started my flight attendant job, (plus a few of the others that I happen to recall).

Already, I've been in the air for a month and around the Earth 12 times. Kinda cool, huh?

Check out my statistics and view the map:

What Flying has Come To...

I'm in DC today. I flew over on the newly configured 747 aircraft; the really nice lie-flat seats in First and Business class. What has changed for economy? Oh, just more seats and still no seat-back individual screen. Go airline, you're making me proud.

I was able to work upper deck, working Business class galley. It was quite an oasis up there - to be away from all the drama and the hussle and bussle that goes on along the main deck.

I was on an open-ended ID when I arrived and I will be working for all 5 days - which is actually quite amazing...with layovers in Toronto, Los Angeles, and back to DC. Fun, fun. :c)

On a quick side note - I thought I found a place to move to in SF, but, turns out, the guy rented it. I just looked at the place last night, in the Outer Sunset district in SF, but, not less than 24 hours later, it's no longer available. I'm quite disappointed and became very excited about the idea of me moving - after searching for months, but, ah, nope. Back to endless emails to people who don't read them on Craig's List. grrr.

ANYWAY,  I found this spoof article online about what the airlines are doing to cut costs. In Airlines forced to do anything to save money, David Maril writes,

To cut down on weight and wind drag, U.S. Air has announced it will not offer seating on flights under 500 miles. Passengers will remain standing and have a rail to hold on to if turbulence occurs. The airline figures the absence of seats will save $9 million in fuel costs a month. “Without rows and rows of seats, the airplanes will be thousands of pound lighter,” a company insider reveals. “We’ll save a fortune on fuel and we’ll also be able to fit at least 40 more people on each flight. And when people are holding on to rails, they will not have time to think about the snack and refreshment service they are missing.”

I loved the one about US Airways, especially being because starting August 1st, they will start charging $ 2 for sodas. Watch out! :c)

Summer Travel Has Begun

First off, Happy Pride.

We are well under way of the festivities in San Francisco, known to many queers in the Bay Area as the Gay Christmas; Pride.

I was supposed to be working the entire weekend, but to my delight, I just arrived back here tonight - in time to catch the tail end of the festivities tomorrow.

The job is going well, despite the downward spiral in the economy. The planes are full and the amenities were are offering are shrinking by the day, but I'm still having fun. I am still serving coffee and Coke and delivering smiles along the way.

Who knows how much longer this whole journey can continue, but I am trying to soak it up as much as I can.

We announced over 950 pilot layoffs starting soon, along with reduction of 100 aircraft, and with that, means fewer routes - along with the need of flight attendants.

I really want to relocate into San Francisco, but the future of my job has me feeling uneasy about the decision.

Just a quick note to say hello. I'm still alive. :c)

Seriously?

As I'm sitting here at SFO for my airport standby assignment, I begin to read news articles about the same-sex marriage ammendment. I come across the website "Protect Marriage" and begin to start my rant, only to paste into the body something another flight attendant had written.

Did YOU know this... or was I the only dummy on the block?  Just rec'd this good info from my friend

 

I've been using aluminum foil for more years than I care to remember. Great stuff but sometimes it can be a pain. You know, like when you are in the middle of doing something and you try to pull some foil out and the roll comes out of the box. Then you have to put the roll back in the box and start over. The darn roll always comes out at the wrong time.

 

Well, I would like to share this with you. Yesterday I went to throw out an empty Reynolds foil box and for some reason I turned it and looked at the end of the box.  And written on the end it said, 'Press here to lock end'.  Right there on the end of the box is a tab to lock the roll in place. How long has this little locking tab been there?  I then looked at a generic brand of aluminum foil and it had one, too.  I then looked at a box of Saran wrap and it had one too!  I can't count the number of times the Saran wrap roll has jumped out when I was trying to cover something up.

 

I'm sharing this with my friends that did not know this.  I hope I'm not the only person that didn't know !

 

I did notice that there is not a 'push in place' on parchment paper or waxed paper.

 This is hilarious! I guess this is what flight attendants do on their spare time - share emails about reading product lables more carefully. I guess the history was saved from what someone else had shared with another.

 

This sums up how I've been feeling latley - the notion that my brain is begining to turn into mush. Perhaps it is the lack of oxygen all the way up there. I can only imagine - I hope this is not what will become of my life.

 

I need to keep that brain active!

 

I miss the university environment.

 

Okay, it's been over 3.5 hours waiting for an assignment - I get to leave at 11PM. It's almost time to drive home...