The first time I boarded a plane after I left my flight attendant career was in August 2022. I was anxious and uncomfortable from the minute I walked out of my apartment until the plane reached 10,000 feet.
Why did I feel that way? Perhaps all the trouble that my fellow flight attendants and I faced day in and day out during the past two and a half years suddenly crept up and erupted like a violent volcano, my chest exploding as I took deep breaths and lava in the form of sweat covering my entire body.
I seriously considered deplaning and texting my friend, “I’m sorry, dude. I panicked, and I don’t want to be on a plane for another couple years.”
What stopped me? Perhaps the fact that I realized that I’m a seasoned traveler with flight attendant experience, and the flight didn’t experience any issues from boarding to deplaning. Plus, I spent a significant amount of Delta miles for that trip.
In all my years of traveling, I have never felt anxious about flying. I’d get excited just catching a glimpse of an airport.
I began to feel disinclined to travel for personal reasons shortly after I became a flight attendant. The excitement and rush you feel as a passenger who flies two or three times a year wears off quickly once you’re in an airport and on a plane multiple times a week.
Why am I telling you this? Because I’m getting ready to take my first trip abroad since I left the unfriendly skies, and I’m excited about it. I’m going to be traveling with Flying Soles besties, and we always have a great time when we’re together.
A Little Rusty
You’d think I’d be an expert at packing a suitcase by now, but I froze when I unzipped my suitcase and laid it flat on the ground. I forgot how I used to pack as a flight attendant and as a passenger.
I think I was also thrown off my game because the carry-on I was supposed to pack (a beautiful black Tumi) was destroyed on a recent trip, a story I’ll leave for another post when the time is right. This unfortunate event forced me to purchase a new suitcase.
I took advantage of Macy’s President’s Day sale, and I bought two carry-ons: one for myself and one for my mom. I’m a fan of the TravelPro, so I purchased a softsided black 22” with two wheels and a 22” hard shell in lavender with four wheels.
The lovely lavender belongs to my mom and as any daughter who envies her mother’s beautiful belongings, I promptly asked to borrow it for my upcoming trip.
My packing habits have changed over the years. My twenties were all about packing half of my closet because I needed options, and I always waited until the night before my trip to pack. Ahh… What it means to be young and stupid!
My thirties gave way to a more experienced approach. I would begin packing a few days before my trip, and I would only pack half of half of my closet. Not great, but much better.
The “ah ha!” moment came when I became a flight attendant. I learned how to pack a carry-on for sixteen days. I had options, and I didn’t need half of half of my closet. My carry-on weighed like an elephant, sure, but I had everything I needed for two weeks in one suitcase.
I’m only traveling for five days, so it should be easy, right? My suitcase is packed and zipped up and just this morning I thought about adding another outfit because I was scrolling through my photos at 2:00 am (I couldn’t sleep). Old habits die hard.
I used to be all about the cubes and after years of traveling with and without them, I realized that it’s better to travel without cubes for certain items.
I would always pack my intimates in a blue packing cube I purchased at the Gap in the early 2000s, but I switched these items to a fabric bag I purchased at Alice on Wednesday in Tokyo for this trip because the blue cubes are too thick and consume too much space.
I had to move my toiletries from my Tumi Madeline Cosmetics bag to a Victoria Secret pouch. Don’t judge me, but I switched back to the Tumi because the pouch was too bulky. Seriously, it’s like I haven’t flown for years.
Shoes belong in bags in your suitcase. Period! I packed two pairs, one for which I still need to find space.
I packed three pairs of pants in a clear plastic bag because I don’t want my pants touching my tops. Not weird at all. I packed three dressy tops, a dress, and three linen long-sleeve sweaters and three thin wool sweaters.
PJs? Check. Hotel slippers? Check. Socks and stockings? Check.
I don’t know what else I’m missing, and it’s probably best if I don’t think about it too much.
I think I did alright.
Where Am I Going?
London, baby.
I chose to fly jetBlue to London’s Heathrow International Airport for two reasons: a $250 credit and 15,000 miles for signing up for a jetBlue credit card.
The flight cost $710.15 ($471.00 airfare & $239.15 taxes & fees). With the credit, my flight cost $460.15. My friend found an AirBnB in Fitzrovia, and the cost per person is $475.00. My budget for airfare and accommodations was $1,000, so I’m below budget. Damn those taxes and fees!!
I’ve been to London a few times, and it’ll be nice to go back with my Flying Soles besties. London isn’t new to any of us, so it’ll be nice to experience the city without the rush of having to hop from one tourist spot to the next.
It’ll be nice to wander around without a plan. I usually have a To Do list ready before I begin to pack for my trips. I leave plenty of room for spontaneous stuff, don’t get me wrong, but I really like knowing how my days are going to look ahead of time.
One thing I’m really looking forward to is London’s nightlife. I’ve never been to a London club. I doubt there’s anything special about London nightlife, but I do want a taste.
London’s food scene has changed quite a bit the past 10-15 years, and I’m looking forward to a good dining experience. There are a couple of speakeasies I’d like to visit. If you’re ever in town, my favorite is Evans & Peel.
You’ll never be bored in London. I expect nothing but excitement on this trip.
I’m genuinely excited to go on this trip. I don’t feel anxious at all. If anything, I think I need this trip to help me transition into the next phase of my life.
Londontown, here we come!