Across The Skies [Larry Stylinson]

Prologue

                  

     "Good morning, ladies and gentlemen and welcome aboard American Airlines flight 0117 from Philadelphia to Dallas, with connecting flights to Los Angeles or wherever else you may be traveling to today. Our flight time today is 3 hours and 56 minutes. Don't worry. I happen to know a shortcut!

     On behalf of the Captain and the entire crew, we want to thank you for flying with us today. My name is Louis, and I'll be working alongside Harry and Taylor. Please don't hesitate to voice any concerns or ask any questions you might have. However, any complaints should be held until after you exit the aircraft in Dallas. In that case, please remember that this is Alaskan Airlines flight 7110, my name is Louise, and I'm working with Harriet and Tyler."

     I listen to everyone laugh as I signal to Harry and Taylor to get ready for taxiing. Taylor gives me a look that she's still briefing Harry, so I decide to stall while getting done bits of the speech. I sigh and pick up the com again.

     "As you may notice throughout our long and dreary flight," I pause to roll my eyes at the people in the front and sigh as they giggle. "I have been burdened with the task of watching over our new flight attendant to make sure he's a quality guy for future flights. That'd be Harold, the giraffe in the back of the aircraft." I watch as he hides his laugh behind his hand and starts to make his way up the aisle. I grin back. A chime rings across the aircraft, and I set the com down as Harry finally gets up front.

     "We have to close the door now and cross check," I remind him as he stands by the opposite door from me. "I'm supposed to do it, but would you like to? I could do it afterwards to make sure it's secure."

     "Could I? I'd like that," he responds shyly, stepping over to me. I nod and take his spot, telling him to wait for the ramp to get further away and then watch him pull the door closed with hardly any effort. He arms it and then turns around to smile at me. I grin and give him a thumbs up. "It's harder than I remember in training."

     I disarm and open the door before closing it and arming it again, then turn to look at Harry. "How often do you think those doors are used a day for training sessions?" I ask him seriously. "They can't just replace them all of the time like they do on our aircrafts sometimes. It's not a safety hazard in training, and it gives you the idea," I tell him patiently, grabbing the com and sticking s finger up for him to wait. "Cross check," I say for Taylor in the back. Harry checks the door he's by like he's supposed to. I check it too, and then we both check the one we closed. I place the com against my chest. "Get ready for the safety procedures. I just have to get another part out of the way before I can start that."

     "Thanks for the heads up." He grins.

     I pick the com up to my mouth again and smile at the passengers. "In case you missed the loud chiming throughout the cabin a few seconds ago, our captain has turned on the fasten seatbelt sign. If you haven't already done so, please make sure your carry-on luggage is stowed either beneath the seat in front of you or in the overhead bins above you. Please take your seat if you haven't already done so, fasten your seat belts and make sure your seat backs and trays are in their full upright position.

     If you are seated next to an emergency exit, please read carefully the special instructions card located in the pocket of the seat in front of you. If you do not wish to perform the functions described in the event of an emergency, please ask a flight attendant to reseat you.

     Ladies and gentlemen, we would like to remind you that this is a no smoking, no whining, no complaining flight," I pause as laughter ensues. "Smoking on any aircraft is prohibited by law on the entire aircraft, including the lavatories. Tampering with, disabling or destroying the smoke detectors in the lavatories is prohibited by law and you will be fined."