My first flight out on my own was a hot reserve call at 5:30.  Once I got down to the company’s temporary crew room, also the storage room for another airline’s catering supplies; I met my first officer and captain.  The Captain was proudly sporting his newest badge of honor.  My first day in my flight attendant career was also his first day as a Captain on his proud Embrair (ERJ 135).  His badge of honor?  A back sized tattoo of his new mighty command!

We were headed home and about 30 minutes into the flight I got a “ding” from the cockpit.  I answered the phone and the Captain asked “Do you see smoke?  The cockpit is filling up.”

I replied, “No, air clear.”

“Okay, watch for smoke and prepare for emergency decent.”

“Into Fort Lauderdale?”  FLL was our destination.

“Yes,” the Captain answered, “do not tell the passengers but warn about fire trucks.”

“Okay.”

“You understand the seriousness?”

“Yes sir.”

“You’re just calm.”

“I need to be, see you on the ground.”

I warned the passengers of the probable light show and we landed with no problems.  After the truth being revealed by the Captain, I thought the passengers were going to be mad at me.  In reality, they were quite happy I handled the situation the way I did.  Even though I wanted to tell the whole truth, I didn’t.  It’s kind of odd, because in flight attendant school we were taught to always tell the truth.

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