The idea of traveling around the world as part of your job? Yes, please! This benefit draws many to the career of being a flight attendant, but while travel privileges might be the most favored part of the job, it just scratches the surface of the profession. A flight attendant is the first responder to those onboard the aircraft, ensuring a positive first flight experience for kids and lending a helping hand when needed. It is not a career for those not willing to leap out of their comfort zone and right into the jump seat! Carol Brennan, who recently retired from Air Wisconsin as a flight attendant after 42 remarkable years, is the perfect model of someone who took her career to new heights (literally) and is an inspiration for all those looking to become a flight attendant.

Carol didn’t always know that the sky was her future office, but when asked when she decided this could be her path, she said, “I traveled for the first time when I was just 17 years old to Orlando, Florida, to visit my cousins. I flew alone and remember the flight attendants were all so nice, beautiful, and classy. That’s when I fell in love with becoming a flight attendant.” Carol was excited to start her career and worked hard to make it in this industry. She was hired at Pennsylvania Airlines/ Allegheny Commuter in 1978 or 1979. While there, the airline flew the Nord 262-22 (Mohawk 298), a 25-seat aircraft, Carol called it the flying Pterodactyl. After three years of service, eight flight attendants, including myself, were furloughed. Carol noted, “After hearing that news, Mississippi Valley Airlines (MVA) called our company and said, ‘Send your furloughed flight attendants out here, and we will put them up for a month. After the month is over, they can stay or go back to Pennsylvania.’ “Carol decided to stay on due to the friendly atmosphere of the Midwest folks. In 1984 MVA merged with Air Wisconsin and Carol stayed with them through it all because she loved the family atmosphere at MVA and Air Wisconsin. Plus, she was having fun!

A flight attendant’s role on every flight is second nature, but even after 42 years, Carol still remembers that first flight feeling. “The first time flying when we took off, I was white-knuckled and said to myself, ‘Why am I doing this?!’ I survived after a few days and told myself to suck it up and just do it!”

As a flight attendant, your priority must be the safety of those around you on the aircraft. This high-contact job is not for those not prepared to be surrounded by people for long periods, and thankfully, Carol found this to be one of the highlights of the position. “I love being around the folks on board and having fun with them! I loved making a difference and turning a bad situation into a good one. The more I did it, the more I loved doing it! To me, it was a more controlled environment on the smaller planes and CRJ’s.”

Carol’s tips for customer service are as follows: 1.) Never let them see you sweat! 2.) Be honest, keep an even tone, and smile, but be firm. 3.) Use please and thank you often (Yes sir, no sir, yes ma’am, no ma’am). Carol said, “That’s what Air Wisconsin is known for: Respect and courtesy.”

When asked what advice she has for those looking to follow in her footsteps, Carol said, “Go for it! If you are a people person and want to make a difference in people’s lives. If you love to fly, don’t mind working irregular hours and days, and occasionally holidays starting out, you will love it. I was never a 9 to 5 gal. It isn’t always perfect; you do go through burnout after the second or third year and sometimes that feeling comes back every other year up to a certain point. You must stick it out until you start accruing time off and good lines and then it’s a lot easier. You must love what you do and try to make it fun! Never forget to laugh and enjoy it sometimes because people can be funny!”

After 42 years, Carol has many stories of her travels, but a few memories she looks on with a little extra fondness. Carol said, “I loved Santa Barbara! That day, I made the crews I had flown in with walk 40-45 minutes to go downtown. There was lots of food to eat, fun to be had, and sites to see! One time, we had two crews staying at the hotel due to a broken BAE146. We rented two convertible cars, drove up the California coast, and had dinner. That was so much fun. We had dinner at this place where it looked like you’d ride a horse up and wrap the straps around the post. (If you know the restaurant she is talking about, write it in the comments!). Excellent food and drinks, as well as company! I had emu for dinner, and it was like eating prime rib, just excellent! The crews all wanted a bite, and I started to give small pieces out, and they kept wanting more. I finally said, ‘Get your own, I’m hungry! I love you all, but not to give up my dinner.'”

While the life of a flight attendant might look shiny and fun, the seriousness of their position is never far from mind. We are safety professionals, first and foremost. Always be prepared! It’s the Boy Scout motto. Carol took her lessons from the sky with her back home, where she raised two Eagle Scouts, her sons, whom she loves dearly.

When asked for any last advice, Carol said, “Always remember, Chain of Command: Captain, First Officer, Flight Attendant. Work together as a team! Be respectful and leave an excellent plane for the next team. A clean, organized plane is a happy plane! Respect them and they’ll respect you. But the bottom line is this: Enjoy what you do.