The Sky's The Limit

Ever wondered what it’s like to work 30,000 feet in the air? For flight attendants, a normal day on the job involves caring for the safety and comfort of travelers of all kinds – all while flying at high altitudes.  Here, we spoke with five incredible current and former flight attendants from our area to learn more about their most memorable experiences in the sky, across the country, and around the world.

Joyce Swanson Lloyd

DELTA AIR LINES | 1983-2005

Where are some of the most memorable places you’ve traveled to for work?

There are so many wonderful places to visit in the United States and overseas, but my favorite is San Diego, CA. I always enjoyed the outdoor activities there, but my favorite was biking on Coronado Island.

Do you have any exciting, funny, or memorable in-flight stories you’d like to share?

There are so many, but my most memorable ones are about the famous passengers on my flights. President Nixon was very kind and asked me how to join our Frequent Flyer Club. Hulk Hogan sent autographed copies of his picture to me and my son. Phyllis Diller asked me, “Honey, will you fix me a hot toddy?” I said, “Tell me what you want in it, and I will!” If I could do it over again, I would have kept a small notebook in my flight bag and kept notes on all of the famous passengers I met.

What’s a common misconception or something not many people know about the lifestyle of a flight attendant?

I think many people look at the job of a flight attendant as glamorous, and it was sometimes, but it was also very hard, too. We worked long hours and dealt with difficult people and situations while being expected to look our best at all times. I love this quote from Mother Teresa: “We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of missing that drop.”

How do your skills as a flight attendant translate into your everyday life?

I think the single most important skill that I learned as a flight attendant was how to deal with all kinds of people. That has helped me in so many ways. People often tell me, “You can say the hardest things in the nicest way.” I’m sure I learned that being a flight attendant!

Is there anything you’d like to add?

I would advise others to go for their dreams and not get discouraged when they get “no’s.” Delta turned me down three times before offering me the job. In the words of Winston Churchill, “Courage is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm.”

Lindy Hannah

AMERICAN AIRLINES | 1991-2002

COCA-COLA CONSOLIDATED | 2003-2006

THE COCA-COLA COMPANY | 2007-PRESENT

JONES AIRWAYS | 2008-PRESENT

How would you describe the job of a flight attendant in five words or less?

The world is your oyster!

Where are some of the most memorable places you’ve traveled to for work?

Over my 32 years of flying, I have had the privilege of visiting many wonderful places. Here is just a sample of my favorites: Istanbul, Turkey, where I visited the Blue Mosque, The Hagia Sophia, the Grand Bazaar, and I enjoyed outstanding food on the Aegean Sea. Nice, France, on the French Riviera with all the great outdoor cafes, shopping, and the beach where you can lie down and watch the airplanes fly right over you. Stockholm, Sweden, where I visited the Gamla Stan and the Vasa, a truly remarkable maritime museum.

Do you have any exciting, funny, or memorable in-flight stories you’d like to share?

We had a family show up one day with a cat. I asked the captain, “Is there a cat on the manifest?” He said no.

After several conversations, they agreed to keep the cat in the kennel due to the fact the cat was an emotional support cat. During the flight, I realized the cat was sitting on the lady’s head. I proceeded to tell them the cat must return to the kennel only to be told the cat was frightened and needed support. Who was supporting who?

If you could give one piece of travel advice to every passenger, what would it be?

Pack less! More stuff causes more stress. You will find you can get by with much less and have much more fun without worrying about your baggage. It’s called baggage for a reason.

Is there anything you’d like to add?

Flight attendants choose to live a lifestyle that looks different than most – to eat breakfast at home and have dinner in Paris, as I did last week on our way to the opening of the 2024 Olympics. I am so very thankful to God for allowing me to see some of what He created, and I encourage you to step outside your box and experience it for yourself.

Ellen Tucker Dowling

DELTA AIR LINES | 1980-2005

How do your skills as a flight attendant translate into your everyday life?

Being a physician liaison is a perfect segue for a flight attendant. It’s a wonderful, relationship-driven, people-serving role. I tell everyone my job now is almost like being a flight attendant. I just don’t get to fly in the sky when I go to work.

Do you have any exciting, funny, or memorable in-flight stories you’d like to share?

Flight attendants are seated on jumpseats adjacent to emergency exits for takeoff and landing on each flight. On the first day of a three-day flight, it was getting-to-know-you and, by day three, you found yourself swapping confidences you had never told anyone else in your life. It was very mysterious!

What’s a common misconception or something not many people know about the lifestyle of a flight attendant?

While the rest of the world is with family and friends on holidays, there are flight attendants and pilots at work carrying people to and from their celebrations. I flew through every major and minor holiday at least seven times, and what that was like is forever with me.

Where are some of the most memorable places you’ve traveled to for work?

For a number of years, Delta had three to four-day winter layovers in Ireland, and I was part of the “Dublin Family,” a group of flight attendants and pilots who flew these trips together. Each week, we swanned through the ATL Stew Lounge telling everyone, “We winter in Dublin.” We stayed at the big and bustling Burlington Hotel, and the Burlington’s larger-than-life manager, the loquacious and colorful Dublin legend, Aidan Doyle, met the crew bus every trip. One year we had a long stay over Thanksgiving, and the hotel chef prepared the traditional American feast with all the trimmings. It was a fancy dinner served in the hotel’s grand dining room with the bon vivant Aidan Doyle presiding at the head of the table.

Are there any “must-have” travel items you would recommend?

A white noise machine and earplugs in case you get a hotel room by the elevator, ice machine, or on the noisy side of the building.

Evelyn Jacobs

AMERICAN AIRLINES | 1984-PRESENT

How would you describe the job of a flight attendant in five words or less?

Extraordinary, challenging, educational, rewarding lifestyle!

How do your skills as a flight attendant translate into your everyday life?

I am truly a compassionate and loving person, and I love taking care of people and making them happy. It spills over into my everyday life. I am happy because God chose to have me live again, and I take nothing for granted. Life is truly a blessing and a journey!

Do you have any exciting, funny, or memorable in-flight stories you’d like to share?

I recently had an elderly gentleman ask if I could assist him with a special request. I did so without hesitation. He told me he had something to tell me afterward. He said to me “I love you,” and I said, “That is so sweet of you to say that sir, but why?” He said you fulfilled my request with a smile and without hesitation. Another time, I was on a flight, and someone told me before takeoff that they did not have a chance to grab anything to eat before boarding. I came back with three snacks and a bottle of water. They were so grateful, and then they told me they remembered my smile and knew I was approachable!

Where are some of the most memorable places you’ve traveled to for work?

I love Europe after having lived in Paris, France, for approximately six to eight years! Rio, Buenos Aires, and my new favorite Doha, Qatar! I enjoy exploring both sides of a country – the tourist side and the local, offthe-beaten paths are best!

Is there anything you’d like to add?

Never, ever give up! Life is what you make it! Live every day as if it is your last. God answers prayers, and I am a living witness. I dedicate my life to the memory of my late daughter Evelyn Patricia Owelle, who was, and still is, my flying partner.

Mary Catherine O’Kelley

DELTA AIR LINES | 1972-2015

Where are some of the most memorable places you’ve traveled to for work?

My favorite places were San Francisco, San Juan, and New York City. I spent a lot of time sightseeing, visiting museums, and enjoying great meals in fun restaurants.

Are there any “must-have” travel items you would recommend?

A light jacket, comfortable shoes, and always a good book! I highly recommend “Theo of Golden” by Allen Levi, any of the “Thursday Murder Club” books by Richard Osman, or “The Briar Club” by Kate Quinn.

If you could give one piece of travel advice to every passenger, what would it be?

Allow plenty of time before your flight and between flights. And be nice to your flight attendants, your safety is in their hands.

Do you have any exciting, funny, or memorable in-flight stories you’d like to share?

Years ago, we had a flight attendant who was very petite. She could fit into one of the trash carts. She would often get in one (a clean one!), have another flight attendant push it down the aisle, and then reach out and take trash from passengers … with just an arm coming out of the cart. She always got a round of applause at the end of the flight!

Is there anything you’d like to add?

There is an amazing camaraderie among flight attendants, no matter our backgrounds. On the job, we had to have each other’s backs, which builds lifelong friendships. Some of my dearest friends are those I met on the first day of training in August of 1972! I loved the 42 years I flew, but I don’t think I want to start over again!