Often, we as flight attendants have a few free moments onboard the airplane after service is complete. Once the food and drinks have been served, and the second drinks have been offered, occasionally, we have a time to ourselves. Depending on the time of day (or night) or how long the flight is scheduled for, we may read, some flight attendants are in college and study, but me… I work on my books. Whether its editing, re-writing a segment, or barreling through a new chapter, there are times that I have a little time to work. Keep in mind, we still have to take time to walk through the cabin frequently, but there are those private moments. Or at least we hope they’re private.
Recently, I had one of those flights that I was able to take a little time once my first-class passengers were “fed and watered” as we say, and work on my last minute once over before submitting my manuscript to my new publisher, United House Publishing. I guess I am a perfectionist, and I wanted to make sure my work was the very best it could possibly be.
Generally, for security reasons, we ask the main cabin passengers to use the restroom at the rear of the aircraft rather than the one at the front of the cabin. It just keeps passenger traffic down around the cockpit door area. But every once in a while, the back gets so congested and the bathroom line gets so long, that we will occasionally allow a few economy passengers to use the forward lavatory. This was one of those days. Most will just pop up use the facilities and go back to their seat. On this occasion, there are those who like to stay and visit. On one such occasion, a man…we will just call him Mr. Jones, decided he wanted to stay up there and have a nice long chat. I was polite and ceased what I was doing and listened as he began his political rant. Those who know me well, know I tend to be a left leaning moderate. I will hear you out, but once you begin rattling off nonsense, I am done. And well, for me… those who “continue” to support #45 in his “re-run” (if you will) of the 2020 election in 2024, I have very little patience. My thoughts are fooled once is understandable …fooled twice is stupidity. But as the poles show, it’s out there… and out there in force.
I do NOT like to discuss politics with strangers, especially at work. And only on occasion with those I know well. Work is simply not the place, besides, my company frowns on political conversations among co-workers and definitely with passengers.
Mr. Jones was, well enthusiastic, about the possibility of #45 making a comeback. He also bragged extensively about running through the halls just outside of the congressional chambers that fateful day in January of 2021. Dumbfounded, I simply stared at this man. I did not know what else to do. I taught government for years, and the blasphemy of January 6th boiled in my veins as I sat and had to smile at this individual, when all I wanted to do was perhaps give him a solid jab to the nose. Whatever one’s political views are, January 6th was one of the darkest days in our Democratic Republic.
I took a deep breath, as he looked me square in my face and said, “Don’t you agree?!” and spouted out the reasons he felt his actions were justified. My lips quivered as I sat there, and smiled as big as I could without uttering a word. I just smiled through it. It took every ounce of strength and resolve to not allow a single syllable to drip from my mouth. To be angry or disappointed in an election loss was one thing but to storm the capitol was an act of treason and treachery, that in my heart, I could not condone. I had no other alternative but to keep my mouth shut… and smile through it. This probably ranks in the top 5 most difficult things I have ever done.
Mr. Jones eventually gave up trying to get me to speak about it and finally returned to him seat. When he deplaned upon arrival, he smiled at me and told me to have a nice day… but my glare was deafening.
Donna Fera
AuthorDonna Fera‘s writing invites readers to explore unknown worlds alongside courageous heroes as they face thrilling challenges and uncover hidden secrets. With a Bachelor of Arts in History and Anthropology from University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Donna is able to take her readers on amazing journeys that draw upon her background in research and learning practices. Combined with her experience in the airline industry and special projects, Donna creates stories that captivate readers with their combination of organizational detail and customer service resolution. Join Donna on this remarkable journey!
