Dark side of Corporate Flying

 

I have not been in this industry long enough to have "seen it all" -- however -- I have noticed few considerable facts about the corporate flying that has triggered me to write this post.

 

Loooong hours of preparation for the flight - and the answer is always "yes"

It is not unusual in many cases where the amount of time you spend for the preparation of the flight is much longer than the actual flight.

Whole Foods (a rather expensive organic supermarket for readers that may not be familiar) will become like your second home, and no doubt you will spend a fair amount at Williams and Sonoma and other establishments with pricey flatware and linens (Baccarat, anyone?)  driving to and from a restaurant of your guest's choice at odd hours, or going to a magazine stand out of your way to get that particular publication you can't get anywhere else, with every catering company and restaurants from different city on speed dial on your cell.

I have been instructed by one of my flight department to say "this is for (name of a very high profile/position person) so please open the kitchen/restaurant/store" if that's what it takes.

When you do get whatever it is that is on the list (usually the trip broker/manager/personal assistant will forward you the list of items that you are to have on the flight for the guests you're flying) you are not just getting one.

You are always going to have more than enough.

If it's water (of course it will be of some french brand you would have never heard of and cost about $4 each) you will get two or three cases.

You will get more than one kind of anything, and more than one serving -- of course unless instructed otherwise.

We got a dozen cupcakes on my last flight where one of our guest has a sweet tooth -- all different kind -- so that guest would have a choice.

Even if the number of guest you are flying will be ONE - cardinal rule in corporate flying is:

Answer is always yes, and you will always have more than enough.

 

Disposing food

Even though you spend two days grocery shopping and picking up that particular french baguette from a certain bakery that is 2 hours away from your house -- sometimes, they don't touch it, and you're left with all the items you purchased, or ordered from the caterer.

Unless they are what we call a "stock" item -- things that are left on the plane i.e. sugar, coffee, sodas, etc. -- they are to be taken off the plane, and sorted away either into the garbage or a refrigerator. This is due to the fact that the next flight will need just as much space for the catering items for their guest.

This is the part that disheartened me the most about this career.

The amount of food that is disposed on daily base -- I can not even begin to tell you how much it has humbled me.

When I have to literally 'dump' a plate full of beautifully decorated chocolate covered strawberries ($15 a piece, btw) my heart actually ACHES.

I also try to offer them to my guests to take with them to enjoy in their hotel rooms or homes.

I should not get so attached and emotional but I feel that it has humbled me that I no longer have any desire for anything materialistic - I think it's actually a positive thing.

Also, it is very common for us to bring the foods back to the hangars for the line men that are on duty to enjoy.

Note: the food that are thrown away are mainly due to the food safety concerns.

 

Schedules

My friend just got off of a 23 day trip that included destination within North America and far away as Bosnia.

She was emotionally DONE when she got home - only to have a few days off, and to be attending to the needs of her flight department again; scheduling issues, restocking items, etc.

Things are done very differently at each flight department, but since she is the lead flight attendant for her company, she literally lives and breathes her job.

Her sleep is obviously kind of off - since the legalities that are seen commercially, is non-existent.

One flight department that I work for actually has something similar to that of commercial carrier, but that is very rare and will not be seen very often.

Things can come up very quickly, and change so often that you can't really count on them, and that is just the reality of it.

 

Glimpse into the world of rich and famous

Who's who of the entertainment and business world and royalties are mainly our clients.

Very high end clientele and also very secretive, every place I work at I sign a non-disclosure agreement as we are within a fringe of their private life.

On a positive note you will get to meet the very people you've dreamed about meeting, or someone that otherwise you would have never had the opportunity to meet.

On the negative side, you get a glimpse of how they are in real life, and sometimes that can be disappointing. Also, this is NOT your opportunity to get to know them, the second rule of this career is - stay neutral. No personal conversation, no asking questions ("so why are you heading to (city name)?")

I have not had my heart broken yet - I have flown several high profile clients and they have all been great - but not everyone has been lucky, and I have heard nightmare stories.

I have mastered the poker face/frozen smile though - which is essential - you can NOT react and be emotional around your clientele, otherwise you will never work again if they are uncomfortable with you in the cabin.

You also get to see a sliver of their home life -- as in how the child is raised and/or the chemistry of the family.

One of my guest came onboard with the family -- and the nanny was with their child from beginning to end, as the mother sat back with her phone/blackberry and slept the whole flight.

It may not always be like that and may not even be anything remotely close to how they really are - but it made me feel a little bit sad/empty to see how some of these kids may be raised.

On another note, I had another client who was helicoptered in - instead of driving an hour and a half - because they didn't want to sit in traffic.

The way we ran around, waiting for that client to arrive making sure the plane is ready when they arrive, the manpower that is used alone -- blew my mind as this was for just one person.

 

Anything goes

When a client charters the plane, anything goes.

Unless it's illegal drugs, anything goes. ANYTHING.

Did I say anything goes?

My friend had to go into the bedroom (yes some of these airplanes have bedrooms, with full bathrooms, flat screen TV, dresser, etc.) to tell someone to put their clothes on and take a seat in the lounge area for landing.

Enough said.

(note: flight attendants are not involved in this part of the activity, the guests can do whatever they want - I am instructed to turn the light off and excuse myself.)

 

Keep it SPOTLESS

The plane is to be spotless before the guests come on and each time the client uses the lavatory, the basin is to be wiped, and the toilet paper is to be embossed.

I vacuum (with a Dyson, which is provided onboard) after flights, and wipe each and every surface and windows with a microfiber towel.

I am an expert at fixing and tucking seat belts now, and I fold linens and towels like a machine.

Yes, sheets with, um, stains obviously needs to be cleaned, though I don't have to launder them myself they need to be taken off and put into the laundry bags.

 

I still love it

Some things are not surprising and just comes with the territory and will never change.

However, despite some of the things mentioned above, I would never trade my position, and truly truly enjoy my job.

I actually like the "hassle" of getting ready, getting the items that are necessary for the flight, and making sure that every aspect of the flight goes well.

Once you hear from the broker regarding the flight you worked with a great review, and/or is asked to work a flight again by a same company, it just makes my day.

This career path really is my true calling.

 

NOTE: this posting is purely my own opinion and the picture is not of my own company

Follow me on Twitter: @LAskygurl

My Personal blog: http://www.dayinthelifeofaskygurl.blogspot.com

 

 pic courtesy of : San Diego Air and Space Museum Archive