The double ding is sounded and the blue sterile cockpit light is illuminated. This is our indication that we're on our final approach into San Francisco. I perform one last cabin check and make sure my galley is secure.
I then strap myself into my jump seat. Once I am position, I begin my thirty second review:
Where are my exits?
What are my commands?
Who would be my able bodied assistants?
My thought process is suddenly broken by the captain speaking in a loud but controlled voice, "BRACE FOR IMPACT!"
Immediately I follow suit, "HEADS DOWN!" "STAY DOWN!" "HEADS DOWN!" "STAY DOWN!" "HEADS DOWN!" "STAY DOWN!" "HEADS DOWN!" "STAY DOWN!" "HEADS DOWN!" "STAY DOWN!" HEADS DOWN!" "STAY DOWN!"
"REMAIN SEATED!"
I release my harness, jump out of my seat and asses the conditions outside my window all the while repeating the captains directive, "REMAIN SEATED!" "REMAIN SEATED!" "REMAIN SEATED!"
"EASY VICTOR!" "EASY VICTOR!"
It's go time! I reassess my conditions. Looks clear: free of fire, smoke and water. I flick on the emergency escape path lighting, grab hold of the assist handle and rotate the door handle counter clockwise. Once the door is open and locked up against the fuselage, I pull the red inflation handle and begin my commands, "UNFASTEN SEAT BELTS!" "LEAVE BELONGINGS!" "COME THIS WAY!" "JUMP!" "JUMP!" "UNFASTEN SEATBELTS!" "LEAVE BELONGINGS!" "COME THIS WAY!" "JUMP!" "JUMP!" "JUMP!""UNFASTEN SEATBELTS!" LEAVE BELONGINGS!""COME THIS WAY!""JUMP!""JUMP!""JUMP!"
My instructor chimes in, "Okay, there are no more passengers."
I grab my flashlight out of its bracket and check the cabin and flight deck to make sure no one is left on board.
This was the first of four door drills I must perform every year in what we call recurrent training. Training is an intense one day refresher that all U.S. flight attendants must go through to remain certified by the F.A.A. (Federal Aviation Administration)
Years ago training was mostly lectures and videos. I can say from experience that the hands on approach makes a big difference when it comes to real life emergencies. The first time I had a medical emergency I literally stared at the woman on the floor in front of me, looked around and thought, "F**K!" Not my brightest moment, luckily I came to and she was fine in the end.
Thankfully, I can tell a different story today because along with evacuation drills we also have medical emergency, security and fire drills. There are actual mock ups of all the aircraft we fly and we are literally acting out different phases of flight when suddenly we are thrown a situation. We then have to respond as we would on a real flight and believe me it helps to be able to make your mistakes in training. I've had many medical emergencies since that first one and I am proud to say, my training kicks in immediately. If you are interested in seeing some trainees in action, check out this video from a Delta's initial training class.
Comments
Nice to see a blog post from you here!
I am a frequent long distance passenger. I have huge respect for the flight crew. I think most passengers don't quite understand the amount of training you must have and the seriousness of the job. Keep up the great work! I understand that our lives and safety depend on the crew-I'm not one to take that for granted.
Woah! You had me going there with that intro in my email. I was thinking, "This had to be a dream." I am pleased that it was "just" recurrent and know what you mean. Some of the flight attendants think it's crap that they have to do this but "Hey, this is awesome." None the less scary that you have actually forgotten everything in the past year, however, it always is in there locked away. I've even been told that even if you think you have forgotten, when it comes to go time, you WILL remember. I love how even the senior mama's are nervous that they will "fail" the test. As if! I figure if you don't know it by now, then we have bigger problems...
You freaked me out there, girl! I think people underappreciate the training and responsibilities of flight attendants. Thanks for reminding us!
You had me all excited there! I was already thinking... will she throw her magazine to the side or sit on it? What will she do with her coffee?
Then I realized you said brace position and brace commands, the all that verbatim crap and I knew someone just cracked open their manual..... RECURRENT!
Brilliant!! Just shows how hard it is to be an FA. Something very few realise even in the industry let alone the travelling public
I am 23 and interested in becoming a flight attendant. I love traveling. Do you have any advice? And are you ever at home? Please email me. Thank you.
I see that RT is still just as nerve wracking as it used to be.... smiles.
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