It's Quiet....Too Quiet

October is a slow time in the airline industry. School is back in session, so the UM summmer season is over and families no longer have the time to jet off to see Grandma. Christmas is still somewhat in the future, and Spring Break? Not even on the radar yet.

So all this downtime adds up to some pretty low flying hours for those of us in the Reserve business. So far this month I only have 48 credit hours, which is laughably low compared to how I've spent my last 12 months. Not that I'm complaining. I like being home with my family just as much as I like being on my own in my hotel rooms, sipping chardonnay or a margarita with the crew, or occasionally touring a city I've never visited before.

It still feels weird, though. It's hard to enter a deep sleep when you're on call because somewhere in your subconscious is the fear that Crew Scheduling will call at 4 am for that dreaded 2 hour call out, and you'll sleep right through it. And it's hard to know what project to start next at home for fear that you'll get all those outdated toiletries spread out on the bathroom counter, determined once and for all to go through and organize them only to hear the phone ring.

I often joke that we FAs are never happy: during busy seasons we're whining that we can't ever get a break and get a day of rest; during slow seasons we're stressed about how low our paychecks are going to be - "Oh my God, I have NO per diem this month!"

Still, as I head off to bed tonight, secure in the knowledge that I will very likely get that 4 am call for a 6 am show for a high hour 3 day trip, I'm enjoying this easy slow period in my schedule. Next thing you know, it'll be December and I'll be longing for these nice, quiet days again.

And in the spirit of enjoying that, I think it's time for me to go peel some grapes to eat while I lounge in my bubble bath.