SkyWest Airlines

So, I've been kicking around the idea of re-entering the work force for about a year now. I find all kinds of reasons NOT to go back to work. The main reason? I couldn't think of anything I really wanted to do. It's been nice and comfy in my current job...raising the girls and doing whatever else I felt like (running, writing, shopping, sleeping).

But something happened. I've had an itch to see the world. All of a sudden I want to fly to Florida, just so I can tour Kennedy Space Center or sink my feet deep the soft white sands of the southern coast.

That takes money.

About a couple months ago, MB and I were channel surfing on our TV. We stopped at a very interesting looking reality show. I think it was just called "Flight School". It followed the lives of men and women in training to become a flight attendant. Most people don't have a clue how intense this training is! I know I didn't. It is hard! But to me...it looked fun!

The idea never left my head. One day MB came across the website for SkyWest Airlines that announced a group interview event was going to be held in Sacramento on the 23rd of March. All you had to do was submit your application and resume online and show up. I can do that, I thought.

Only the more I thought about it, the more I talked myself out of it. First off, you have to be flexible...working days, maybe weeks at a time and most difficult...you have to be willing to relocate. Did you hear me? RELOCATE!
I HATE moving. And how can we move for my job? It's not like I'm going to be the main provider. Still, I feel a growing need to venture out of my warm little caccoon and into the world around me. This might be the perfect time.

Yet, I haven't mentioned the MOST important factor in this crazy idea...the girls. My kids need me! How am I going to go off for days at a time and leave my kids to fend for themselves?
Uhhhh!!!! That just screams BAD TERRIBLE MOM!! What if something happens and I'm thousands of miles away? Can I really do this? Even if I can, is it fair to Katie, who just turned 13, to dump all this responsibility on her so fast?

Okay- so I had a lot to think about. I kept changing my mind...I'll go...no I won't go...I'll go...no I can't go!!! Finally this morning, I decided to write a resume and fill out the online app. I had to go to Kinco's to print out my resume because at home I'm to cheap to buy my printer a new ink cartridge.
I wasn't really sure how to write a resume...Thank GOD for pre-installed templates! I'm sure mine was entertaining. Under 'experience' I put FULL TIME MOM and listed some interesting skills that I thought applied to this job description.

I reminded myself, it's just an interview!! Let's have fun with it. Be myself! I probably won't get it. If nothing else, I'll go for the experience. I mean, c'mon...I haven't had to sit through an interview in 10 years! I'm rusty. They'll never offer it to me.

Well, guess what? THEY DID!

Yeah! I was blown away. Here's how the evening went...

I got there (thanks to the directional help of Denise!) at 4:50pm. Doors close at 5. I remembered from the TV program that being punctual is extremely important!
I entered a nice hotel and was directed to the 3rd floor by the desk clerk. In a medium sized conference room, I sat down down in the back row. Most of the seats were already taken. Several other people shuffled in after me. Some even after it began.

The first hour was talk. We were given most of the information regarding the job that was already available on the website.
Except I must have missed the part that said you're only given 4 days to relocate. 4 DAYS!! The panic button was going off inside my head.

Questions? Of course I had questions! How long does it take to transfer?!?!

Once that part was done, we took a short break. 5 minutes. Then we were asked to get up, one at a time and speak. Sell yourself in 60 seconds! But don't go on about personal stuff (they want to know about YOU not your kids) and please, please, please...DON'T tell them that you're a people person and you love to travel! They get that all the time.

Okay. When they called me, my heart started beating out of my chest! I tried taking a deep breathe and focused on visually controlling my heart rate. It helped. I did great. A little shaky, but no 'ums' or 'you knows'. I hate using those crutches.

After that, they separated us into 3 groups of around 10 each. We were asked to plan a party. That's it. We had to come up with everything else. Including who it was for, why, where, guests, budget, etc. I wondered what the gals were looking for in this exercise. Assertiveness? Ability to cooperate? Working together? Collaboration! Yep, I think that was it. I made sure to talk enough, but not to much. I didn't want to run the show. I made suggestions and made sure other peoples ideas were considered.

After a while of listening to our fake party planning, the gals sent us all out into the hallway. We talked with each other until a list of names was posted on the door. If you were on that list, you got to stay and be interviewed one-on-one.

Only six names were on the list.
Mine was one of them.

Many ladies (and one man) left with a frown. I was surprised that I was selected to stay.

We were asked to fill out two forms. Easy. Then we were taken by two's and interviewed separately. I was happy to get the one gal that did most of the talking the entire night. She was sweet and kind. I felt very comfortable around her. I'm sure we could have been friends if placed in the right environment.

I don't remember all the questions she asked me, but one definitely sticks out in my memory.

"Why do you want to be a flight attendant?"

Typical question and one I had already thought about. My answer goes back to my childhood. No, it hasn't always been my dream to be a flight attendant! That's a textbook answer.

Get real...

I love space and the great vastness of the universe fascinates me. As a kid, I always wanted to be an astronaut. I was crushed when I learned how much physics and math are involved to reach that goal. I'm an artist, not a mathmetition! I talked about other ways I am finding to fulfill this need, minus Einstein's brain cells. I decided flight attendant would be a good compromise.

She was very impressed ( I know she was because those were her exact words) about my interests. Running, writing, painting and home improvement. She also liked that I am very confident, funny and sure of myself.

So that's it. She offered it to me right there on the spot. She told me to be discrete. I tried, but the other interviewees pretty much beat it out of me when I was trying to leave. Not all of the six got offered jobs.

Now what?

I have some work to do! I have a lot to learn even before I get on the plane headed for Salt Lake City on April 10th. 24 days of intense training await my boggled brain. I have to be able to recite that "welcome on board" speech with 100% accuracy within the first hour on the first day or I go home! Also a test given on time zones, abbreviations and definitions. Uhhh, I hope I can make it through training.

So far, my family is supportive. We'll see. You know...so much went upside-down this week. I hope my dad can come and help out. I'll need my friend's help as well. All the help I can get really. This will mean a huge change for all of us.

I'm so tired! It's after 1am. Good night all.