On a recent layover, I treated myself to afternoon tea at the opulent Russian Tea Room. This New York institution (and treasure box) is nearly 100 years old. Founded by members of the Russian Imperial Ballet in 1927, the restaurant is old-world glamorous, stunning, and everything that I love. As soon as you pass through…
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I’m sure you’ve read the news that airline employees are required to get vaccinated or face losing their jobs. At my airline, the percentage of those vaccinated is very high; only a few hundred are refusing. One of the few is my friend (and favorite flight attendant), who I’ll call Lola to protect her privacy. …
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If you read my blog, you know I’ve been sidelined for the past 6 months with an injury. But I am pleased to report that I’m flying again! October was my first month back, and it turned out to be an unusual month. Unusual because I flew “new” routes with mostly “new” flight attendants. Like…
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The hottest reservation in town is for Empress by Boon: San Francisco’s new restaurant recently opened by star chef Ho Chee Boon. It literally took me months to get a reservation. My persistence and stalking skills finally paid off, and I snagged a table for 4 last Saturday! (at 5:00pm) But hey, it was on…
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That’s the name of Chelsea Handler’s comedy tour which I went to see last night. She, along with her opening act, were super funny. Chelsea did about an hour of her typical irreverent, political, and raunchy material. One of her biggest laughs was a bit about “these poor flight attendants,” which I found particularly enjoyable….
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This is a cautionary tale. It cautions against breaking the law, underestimating TSA, and attempting to sneak out of town aboard an aircraft. Recently, I have witnessed three arrests on the airplane. One was a middle-aged woman handcuffed and taken away during the boarding of a flight to Mexico. An unlikely suspect, she looked like…
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Jackson Hole is a favorite layover among flight attendants. Nestled between The Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone, the setting is breathtaking. I know that’s a cliche statement, but it really is a re-set. Pick a season, any season. The view is dramatic, cinematic even. And my pictures don’t do it justice. But here’s what…
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Sometimes, a layover surprises you. It can be a smaller city with low personal expectations or a new destination with unbeknownst charm. Like Cincinnati, Cincinnati surprised me. It started with the hotel. The layover hotel isn’t the usual chain hotel. Don’t get me wrong. I appreciate a comfortable room. And thanks to the union, our…
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Yesterday on the news, an expert (he wasn’t a scientist, maybe a historian, definitely an author) said, “Pandemics don’t last forever. This pandemic will end.” I was pleased to hear this because I’ve been feeling like we’re never going to get past this. It’s been 18 months, and I still don’t see an exit. Sure,…
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“Wherever you go, go with all your heart.” Confucius Lately, my heart has been at the beach. I can’t get enough of it. The beaches in Northern California aren’t necessarily sun-drenched. They can be. But they’re more likely overcast. The terrain is varied, and the weather is unpredictable. It can be sunny and warm or…
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