1 Corporate Flight Attendant News E-Letter Volume 3 Issue 1

We are starting

our “3rd” Year!

2 Corporate Flight Attendant News E-Letter Volume 3 Issue 1

INSIDE THIS

ISSUE:

Who Has The Last

Word On Security?

You Do!

Page 10

Quickly Gaining

Rapport:

Listening with

Objections

Page 4

Island of Confusion

Page 11

Getting Involved!

Page 6

“Going Global”

at the NBAA Flight

Attendants

Conference

Page 3

Corporate Flight Attendant News E-Letter

Educating the community one news issue at a time.

Our mission is to inform our loyal

readers on today‘s issues that shape the

corporate flight attendant. Customer

satisfaction is our focus in our ongoing

quest to exceed the goals for market,

professional and personal growth.

Each electronic publication is free to

corporate flight attendants and aviation

personnel throughout the world. Volume 3, Issue 1 AUGUST 2008 ISSN 1932-4464

How can I get a Generic (non-Company specific) Part 135 Training Certificate?

Before we can explain this process, it is important to understand the meaning of certain

terms defined below:

Operating Certificate – If a company provides air transportation for compensation or

hire, that company must become certificated as an operator. The operating certificate is

issued once the company has fulfilled all the regulatory requirements of the applicable

operational part (i.e. parts 121, 135, etc.). When operating under 14CFR Parts 121 or

135, the FAA has specific parameters which determine when a FA is required. When a

FA is required, their training/testing requirements are defined by regulations and must

be submitted to the FAA and approved for their specific Operating Certificate.

Certificate Holder – The owner of an operating certificate issued by the FAA.

Operator – Another name for Certificate Holder.

Flight Attendant Certificate – Flight Attendants for air carriers providing

transportation using airplanes with 20 or more passenger seats operating under 14CFR

Parts 121 or 135 will be issued a certificate of demonstrated proficiency by the FAA.

In 1997 FlightSafety International developed and received FAA approval for Flight

Attendant Training Programs that met the requirements of 14CR Parts 91, 121 and 135.

These programs were developed as basic templates to be used for two main purposes:

To provide the basis from which to modify and customize training programs for new

Part 135 operators or those certificate holders transitioning to aircraft which required a

FA.

The second purpose was to provide a baseline curriculum from which to conduct

differences training and qualify instructors to conduct training for certificate holders.

FAA Notice 8000.355, issued in February 2007, has essentially removed approval for all

programs which were formerly designated by certificate holder operational parts (121, 125,

135). However, the requirement is and has always been that ALL training conducted for an

operator, MUST be accomplished in accordance with the CERTIFICATE HOLDER'S

approved training program, as established by the regulations (CFR 135.341, 121.401) in

order to be issued a Training Certificate for that operational part.

Q: If a flight attendant is not currently employed by a 135 operator, can they still

receive a Generic Part 135 training certificate?

A: No. Knowing the regulatory requirements of an operational part are not enough to

qualify. If that were the case, the FAA would not require every certificate holder to develop

(Continued on page 8)

Are you ―135 Qualified?

To help us better understand, I have asked FlightSafety International to provide us with the

following information. If you have any questions, about this or any other FAR, always

contact your local FAA office and they will direct you to the right direction.

3 Corporate Flight Attendant News E-Letter Volume 3 Issue 1

4 Corporate Flight Attendant News E-Letter Volume 3 Issue 1

Going Global at the NBAA Flight Attendants Conference

By Deb Elam

T he NBAA 13th Annual Flight Attendants Conference was

held in Tucson on June 27 - 28 at the Hilton El

Conquistador Golf & Tennis Resort, featuring the theme, ―Going

Global, New Challenges for Today‘s Flight Attendants.‖ The

main objectives of the annual conference were to educate

attendees regarding the growing future of business aviation and

assist them in preparing for future developments within a

constantly evolving industry. The Tucson conference specifically

addressed the growing global industry of business aviation and

challenges involving safety, security and cultural diversity issues

that now more than ever directly effect industry professionals and

global passengers.

The evening before the official kick-off of the conference,

CorporateFAInsider.com hosted a festive and informal

networking reception featuring wine and beer, appetizers, and

even a Gulfstream ice sculpture. This marks the first year that a

pre-conference reception was listed on the agenda, offering the

opportunity for those new to corporate aviation to network with

industry veterans in an informal setting. With a total of 276

attending the conference, over 100 were new to the event. Many

joined the reception following the orientation and registration for

new attendees.

In a year when countless commercial airlines have been reduced

to a state of financial ruin due mostly to skyrocketing jet fuel

prices, many commercial flight attendants have lost their jobs due

to bankruptcies or widespread industry downsizing. The

conference networking reception was just the first of many

opportunities to discuss transitional issues such as the choice of

corporate specific training vendors with seasoned professionals.

Lisa Mattingly and Loren Urbancic of Indianapolis were first

time attendees who lost their commercial flight attendant

positions when ATA ceased operation in April after 35 years in

business. They each worked for the company for 25 years. ―We

both have a lot to learn about the world of corporate aviation and

we are here to listen, learn, and meet people,‖ said Mattingly.

―We are looking into several of the safety training options

available,‖ Urbancic said. They both signed up for FACTS

training by the end of the conference.

Promoting the importance of utilizing a well-trained professional

flight attendant as opposed to a cabin server was stressed by Judy

Reif, NBAA Flight Attendants Committee Chairperson during

her opening presentation the next morning. ―The need to raise the

bar and uphold higher standards in the business flight attendant

community is very important,‖ she said. ―For many years, the

awareness of such a trained and professional crewmember was

lacking.‖

Scott Arnold, Committee Vice Chairperson presented a fun and

entertaining video that illustrated Reif‘s points concerning the

evolving perception of the role of a flight attendant throughout

the years. Some circa 1960‘s and 70‘s photos featured mini skirt

clad commercial ―stewardesses‖ posing on aircraft wings, much

to the amusement of the conference audience. One ad even stated,

unapologetically, ―I‘m Cheryl. Fly me.‖ Clearly, progress has

been made and the frivolous image of yesterday‘s flight attendant

is no longer mainstream in either commercial or business

aviation. ―Today‘s NBAA Flight Attendants Committee

emphasizes the need and value of these well-trained individuals,

― says Reif. ―By raising the standards of business flight

attendants, we can educate those in the business aviation

community and the Federal Aviation Administration on the

important role we play as cabin professionals.‖

Most of the featured conference speakers addressed the growing

importance of existing safety standards, as well as new safety

challenges that are direct results of an industry ―Going Global.‖

Steve Brown, NBAA Senior VP of Operations and

Administration highlighted the career challenges facing cabin

crew in the future global market and a changing economy. He

explained how the aviation industry is now experiencing both

―the best of times and the worst of times,‖ in this quickly

changing environment. Doug Carr, NBAA VP of Safety and

Regulation, spoke about business aviation security issues as they

relate to international travel. Dr. Petra Illig of the CDC addressed

increasing global health concerns for crew and passengers.

Today‘s global business environment also presents new

challenges for crewmembers facing increasing long duty days

throughout various time zones. Dr. Mark Rosekind of Alertness

Solutions (sponsored by Sentient Flight Group) addressed

managing fatigue in order to maintain safe operations. Committee

members Caryl Knapp of Bombardier Flexjet and Amy Nelson of

Sentient Flight Group addressed important regulatory hot topics

such as training issues and duty day regulations. Currently,

federal regulations do not require General Aviation flight

attendants to adhere to the same duty days that pilots must. Many

flight departments recognize that the third crewmember, operat-

ing in a safety capacity is just as subject to fatigue as a pilot and

voluntarily choose to have their flight attendants adhere to the

pilot regulations.

At this time, the NBAA has not recommended any specific

regulatory guidelines to the FAA regarding the training of Part 91

cabin crew. Ed Bolen, President and CEO of the NBAA

commented on this position two years ago at the Denver Flight

Attendants Conference. He stated that the NBAA is hesitant to

urge the FAA to make changes, aware of the agency‘s tendency

to create ―one size fits all‖ regulations. ―Be careful what you

wish for, you may get it,‖ he said. Susan Friedenberg has been

involved with the Flight Attendants Committee since its‘

inception, and now feels ―honored‖ to have been appointed to the

newly formed Advisory Board. She has long campaigned to

persuade operators to use only corporate specific trained flight

attendants and eventually hopes to convince the FAA to mandate

training regulations similar to those in place regarding Part 121

flight attendants. She is not alone on her quest. Committee

member Cyndee Irvine states that, ―The Flight Attendants

Committee as a whole is even more committed now than ever, to

inform and educate the community on the importance of using a

corporate specific trained flight attendant on any flight that

includes a cabin crew member. The problem lies in that most

principal passengers do not understand the difference between a

cabin server and a trained flight attendant.‖ Friedenberg agrees.

―When a passenger sees a person in the back of the aircraft, the

assumption is that he/she is a trained professional,‖ she states.

She sites two high profile General Aviation accidents as

examples. ―We are all aware of the Challenger crash in TEB and

the lack of training the ‗acting‘ flight attendant had. When that (Continued on page 13)

5 Corporate Flight Attendant News E-Letter Volume 3 Issue 1

Quickly Gaining Rapport: Listening with Objections

By Shari Frisinger, Corner Stone Strategies

This is perhaps the least used tactic of gaining rapport.

Listening is, or should be, a singularly focused task, not to be

done as part of a multi-tasking set. Your mind can only focus on

one thing at a time. Think of the times you have tried having a

conversation when you‘ve been on hold … what happens when

the caller picks up their end of the phone? You stop your

in-person conversation to focus on the caller at the end of the

line.

We listen for different reasons:

For empathy and compassion: when a friend needs an ear, or

a shoulder, we listen so they can feel better. When we need

to vent without judgment, we want someone to listen out of

consideration.

To unwind and take pleasure in the sounds we are hearing,

whether it be music, entertainment or the sound of family

voices

For details to solve problems. When we make

our thinking visual, we make it easier for others

to follow our path and stay with us.

To assess the situation, analyze the information

and reach a conclusion

What happens when we are in tune with the other

person, yet they are not granting us the same

courtesy? Whether intentional or not, other people

can throw barriers in our conversations. How do we

maintain a professional, productive working rela-

tionship with them, yet addressing their unwanted

actions?

Think about the last time a salesperson came to

see you … did they listen more than they

talked? Most of the time the answer is ‗no‘.

How about the times you were in a meeting and

someone disrupted the flow? How do you feel,

and what do you think, when either of these

happened? In both scenarios, the offending person was not

listening to the conversation going on around them.

We interrupt, or do not listen, for a variety of reasons. Here are a

few of them and how to respond to the person or the situation:

NO GREY ALLOWED

Definition: when someone interprets a situation as clearly

either [a] or [b]. In their mind, there is no other option.

Example: The department policy is to not pay flight

attendants for mileage to and from their residence to the hangar.

If, however, the flight attendant picks up catering or something

else needed for the flight, mileage will be paid. Flight Attendant

Sally picks up catering and submits for what is perceived as a

high mileage expense. When she is asked about it, her response is

―OK then I won‘t submit any more expenses …. I‘ll use my own

gas to get whatever is needed….‖

Response: ―Sally that‘s not what I‘m saying. I really

appreciate your picking up these items for the flight. We all work

together as a team and rely on each other to do these things. It‘s

just with the cost of gas rising, going far out of our way to pick

up something that is comparable and can be purchased closer is

what we need to do….‖

“NOT A BIG DEAL”

Definition: The challenge you are experiencing is not taken

seriously by the other person, usually one in authority. They use

pseudo-optimism to try and placate you so you will leave them

alone.

Example: ―With these changes to the next

trip, I won‘t be able to get prepared for the one

after that … remember they are nearly back-

to-back.‖ ―Sure you can … the changes are not

that extensive and you know exactly what you are

doing. Plus you have such a way with people!‖

Response: Ask if you have their undivided

attention. Repeat more firmly your original

statement. Ask for them for help in solving this

problem.

RESISTING/BOXING

Definition: When someone wants to debate

a topic for the sake of debating or will

challenge what you say.

Example: Anybody have good

recommendations for hotels in Southeast Asia?

Pilot #1: The Sofitel Phokeethra Royal Angkor is the best place

to stay.

Pilot #2: Why do you say that? I stayed there once and won‘t stay

again. The Le Meridien is much better because …..

Pilot #1: I‘ve never stayed there.

Pilot #2: Well you should .... your hotel doesn‘t….

Response: The best thing to do is to acknowledge the other

person‘s perspective and end the conversation gracefully.

They enjoy debating and will take whatever you say as an

indication that you, too, want to debate this point. They may

not understand that it‘s ok to have differing opinions.

(Continued on page 9)

It isn’t what you said.

It’s what they

think they heard.

6 Corporate Flight Attendant News E-Letter Volume 3 Issue 1

7 Corporate Flight Attendant News E-Letter Volume 3 Issue 1

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service announced an

increase in the optional standard mileage rates for the final six months of

2008. Taxpayers may use the optional standard rates to calculate the

deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical

or moving purposes.

The rate will increase to 58.5 cents a mile for all business miles driven

from July 1, 2008, through Dec. 31, 2008. This is an increase of eight (8)

cents from the 50.5 cent rate in effect for the first six months of 2008

To read more about this increase please visit the IRS website

When was the last time you got involved in sending a letter to

your congressman? When was the last time you thought your

voice was not needed to help pass a piece of legislation ? Well

it is time to do both and here are two easy ways of doing such

without having to think about what to say or where to mail it.

The National Air Transportation Associations (NATA) and

the National Business Aviation Associations (NBAA) web-

sites both have access to prefilled letters dealing with topics

that they need your support on. Oh, before you ask, ―NO‖ you

do not have to be a member to assist in their cause. This is

totally FREE and takes just a few questions to have it all filled

in and then you press enter and the system will do the rest! So

join in and help with your community.

8 Corporate Flight Attendant News E-Letter Volume 3 Issue 1

and submit a training program tailored to their operation. There are differences in

policy, procedures, standards, commands, equipment and guidelines of every

certificate holder. These differences must be trained in order to ensure that the crew-

member is competent to accomplish their duties and responsibilities as defined for

that specific operator. The only method to satisfy the requirements of 135.341 is to

train every crewmember in accordance with that specific certificate holder's FAA

approved training program.

Q: If I work for a Part 135 certificate holder, can I use that training to work

trips for another Part 135 operator?

A: No, not unconditionally. The training conducted in accordance with a particular

certificate holder‘s program is not transferable from one operator to another unless a

Certificate Holder‘s approved program stipulates allowances for prior-experience/

training or other special provisions. In some cases, the Certificate Holders‘ program

makes provision to receive credit for basic training conducted by a Part 142 school.

Q: Since FlightSafety International’s program is approved under Part 142, why

can’t I be trained in FlightSafety International’s curriculum and receive a Part

135 Flight Attendant Certificate?

A: FlightSafety International‘s Part 142 certificate authorizes the FlightSafety to

conduct training; it does not authorize FlightSafety to operate aircraft. The training

requirements of Part 135 specifically require that the crewmember be trained in

compliance with the Certificate Holders’ approved program on the aircraft (type/

model) they will be operating. Therefore the designation of being a ―Part 135 trained‖

crewmember cannot be conferred upon an individual. It is only those crewmembers

who are employed by and trained in accordance with a certificate holders‘ approved

program who can receive that designation. Although FlightSafety prepares the

training documents on the completion of training, those documents are issued on

behalf of the certificate holder and bear the operators name and certificate number.

Q: How did FlightSafety’s Flight Attendant program receive FAA acceptance if

they have no airplanes?

A: When FlightSafety International‘s program was submitted for approval without

defining a specific aircraft (type/model) for the aircraft ground segment of training,

the agreement was made that, using the national norms stated in FAA Order 8900.1

and FAA regulations, a basic program could be developed that would incorporate the

varied specifications of most aircraft types.

Q: So then what data does FlightSafety use to develop aircraft training?

A: The basis for FlightSafety‘s aircraft ground training segments are based on data

received from the aircraft manufacturer‘s manuals, checklists, etc. If an operator‘s

aircraft has been modified/reconfigured, our aircraft training module for that operator

is modified to ensure that the training is conducted in accordance with the certificate

holders‘ program including the specific equipment, brand, operation, location and

procedures.

Q: Training is not required under Part 91, so why is that program included in

your FAA accepted program?

A: Although training requirements are not defined for Part 91 operations, competency

is required for FA‘s who will be operating on aircraft with more than 19 seats. The

FAA has stated that if a person is functioning in the capacity of a FA, they are

perceived by passengers as a crewmember and therefore should be trained as such.

FlightSafety‘s position is that the training standard should be comparable to the level

of knowledge necessary to act as a crewmember, therefore the training standard

should be commensurate with the training requirements of other operational parts.

If you have additional questions, email: Flightattendant@flightsafety.com

(Continued from page 2)

9 Corporate Flight Attendant News E-Letter Volume 3 Issue 1

PROBLEM SOLVING MODE

Definition: When the person you are talking with

immediately feels they have to solve your

problem. Men typically do this; they believe that‘s

why you are talking with them about it. Why else

you would relay your ‗story‘ to them?

I jokingly tell my husband to ―take off your Mr. Fix

-It Hat‖.

Example: Flight Attendant: I needed some advice

on a caterer out of Beijing….

Reply: Well you can ask the FBO which caterer is good

or grab a Fudors travel book. They recommend restau-

rants that are great…

Response: ―I understand you want to give me the

answers. I think I already fixed it, would you hear

me out and let me know what you think of how I

handled it?‖

These tactics above [and there are more] are ways we

use on others, or they use on us, to get the

conversation off track or to change the focus of the

conversation onto a different topic.

When we listen, we need to have our full attention on

the other person. Otherwise you may find out what you

thought you heard is not what they said.

This is part 3 of 4 part series. Shari started her series on

the topic ―Speaking Patterns‖ which was first printed in

our April issue. She followed with her second article

called ―Asking Questions‖ and you can find that in our

June issue. Her final article in this series will be pub-

lished in the October issue. 'so stay tuned'.

In addition to her writing, Shari L Frisinger is an

accomplished educator and speaker in today‘s aviation.

She has written Fail: Not a Four Letter Word, So What?

And Who Cares, and a motivational quote book: Focus

[on the Pinnacle of Your Success]. Each of them can be

purchased by contacting her at

shari@cornerstonestrategiesllc.com or by going to

www.cornerstonestrategiesllc.com .

(Continued from page 5)

Congratulations to the following as they were recipients of 4 door prizes that CorporateFAInsider.com provided to the

NBAA Flight Attendant Conference.

Cherie Perrin

Deborah Laslo

Liz Murakami

Carolyn Paddock

CorporateFAInsider.com would like to “THANK” the following sponsors in helping to make the “Social” event a “HIT” at the 13th Annual NBAA Flight Attendant Conference which was held in Tucson AZ on June 26.

Jetfinity Catering

Jett Sett Management

Jan Williams

Deb Elam

Rudy’s Inflight Catering

HBAcorp

B.E.Princess

Tastefully Yours Catering

Our International Partner

Deluxe Executive Catering

10 Corporate Flight Attendant News E-Letter Volume 3 Issue 1

11 Corporate Flight Attendant News E-Letter Volume 3 Issue 1

Vianne Floyd

Office (313) 333-1116

JettSettManagement.com

We a looking for

qualified

Flight Attendants

in the Detroit

Metro area.

Fax your resume

to 888 201 0906

Since 2001, we have seen all sorts of government efforts to

establish various levels of security for aviation activities. These

have included mandatory security programs, background checks

for airplane crewmembers and airport workers, protected airspace

programs and others. While these efforts try to establish some

baseline standards for security across the aviation spectrum,

airplane operators remain ultimately responsible for the safe and

secure operation of their airplane.

How often have you arrived at an airport only to find that things

weren‘t quite what you expected? Whether the FBO was really a

self-fueling facility or the airport ―fence‖ was a treeline off the

end of the runway, crews can find themselves dealing with

unexpected situations as the airplane taxis into the ramp. Having

your backup plan rehearsed and ready to execute could keep you

and your passengers safe and secure.

NBAA developed a series of security best practices for business

aviation in 2002. Those same best practices remain effective even

today. They focus on four areas: aircraft, facilities, people and

procedures. At your home base, you have a much more input

into, and in some cases, complete control over, security standards

for your hangar. Implementing best practices makes sense and

often instils a greater sense of professionalism with the flight

department. On the road, however, security practices and

standards are often left to the local airport and FBO.

Most airports with regular business aviation traffic have establish

enhanced security measures that often include identification

checks and aircraft access controls. A call ahead to the FBO or

airport management can prepare you for security measures to

expect upon your arrival. Ensuring that your customers know

what to expect will often relieve any pre-arrival anxiety,

especially at a new destination. But what if your advanced

planning doesn‘t reveal enough about the airport, its security

measures or what to expect?

For airports within the United States, your aircraft faces a low

risk as a target for criminal activity. But don‘t let this low risk

substitute for prudent security planning. Have a plan thought

through for contingencies if security isn‘t quite up to snuff.

Overseas, you may find that repositioning the company airplane

after the mission is the most reasonable security plan. Providing

your own supplemental security is also advisable at locations

posing a higher threat.

Your airplane is an expensive company asset and investment in

employee productivity. Much like safety, security for the aircraft

remains with you. At the end of the day, the airport and FBO

won‘t have to explain why something happened to the airplane.

Reasonable security measures will help keep your customers,

airplane and crew members safe and secure. For additional

security information, view NBAA‘s website at

http://web.nbaa.org/public/ops/security/

Who Has The Last Word On Security?

You Do!

By

Douglas Carr

Douglas Carr is NBAA's vice president of safety and regulation. In this position, he is responsible for leading the association's efforts

on business aviation safety and oversight of NBAA's regulatory activity involving business aviation aircraft equipment mandates,

operations and security. If you have any questions about security or have questions about what legislation that deal with regulatory

issues that are being presented to the government body, please contact Doug at DCarr@nbaa.org.

12 Corporate Flight Attendant News E-Letter Volume 3 Issue 1

Greetings from the Island of Confusion

When was the last time you felt like there was no end

to this tunnel? When was the last time you worried if

you were going to be able to pay your bills? When

was the last time you just felt hopeless? Well, you are

not alone in this state of uncertainty of the world

around you.

As someone who thinks he has a finger on the

community, I will tell you what I know. Several

fractional companies are not meeting their

expectations which are causing layoffs. Several

charter providers are telling me that business is very

slow and the need for supplemental support is not

necessary. There are a few companies who were

looking to hire full time people but have put it off as

their CEOs have put a stop to all new hires.

So when we look at this one has to wonder what is

going to happen next. I can tell you that those who

have been in this business for a very long time keep

telling me to wait out this wave as it will turn around

sometime soon. They tell me to read Aviation Weekly

and to take note of all the articles about how

Gulfstream, Dassault, and Bombardier aircraft each

have about a three to five year backlog of orders to

fill.

I have read about how Airbus and Embraer are

changing some of their commercial airplanes into

corporate airplanes. Then there is the overseas market

to look at. If you are fluent in Arabic, Russian, or

Indian you are a well sought out person. So do not

fret; just as with almost any other job, there are lows

and highs and we will come through this with a wealth

of knowledge.

Until next time

Fly Safely

Daniel

From the Editor

NBAA 13 Annual Flight Attendant Conference

13 Corporate Flight Attendant News E-Letter Volume 3 Issue 1

aircraft hit that building, the passengers

were looking for a corporate specific

trained person to evacuate them, not

someone from the food service industry

untrained in safety and listed as a

passenger or crew server.‖ Friedenberg

emphasized the importance of corporate

specific egress training with her next

example. ―Dick Ebersol‘s accident in

Montrose had a F/A from a commercial

airline on his first business aviation trip.

He was not trained to Part 91/135

standards, did not give a briefing because

he did not know how to, and is now dead

along with Mr. Ebersol‘s son.

Safety training issues and documentation

continued to be a hot topic of discussion in

the breakout session geared towards

the more experienced attendees

hosted by safety auditing

companies ARG/US and Wyvern.

The process by which flight

department ratings are determined

and awarded were discussed, as

well as what impact, if any, the

training and qualifications of an

onboard third crewmember were

considered. Simultaneously, a Basic 101

Corporate Flight Attendant breakout ses-

sion was conducted for those new to the

industry. It covered basic aviation industry

terms, tips for choosing training vendors,

self-marketing & interviewing techniques

and everything in between.

Keynote speaker Terri Morrison appealed

to all experience levels of attendees with

her discussion of culture issues involved in

doing global business. Her presentation

included numerous examples of cultural

blunders involving international business

transactions and how to avoid such

mishaps by doing a little advance research.

Audience participation was encouraged in

a game testing Cultural I.Q. and all

attendees received a copy of her book

(courtesy of MFoods, Rudy‘s Inflight

Catering and Tastefully Yours Catering),

Kiss, Bow or Shake Hands: The Best-

selling Guide to Doing Business in More

Than 60 Countries. Her presentation

included the famous quote by Mahatma

Ghandi, that ―Civilization is the

encouragement of differences.‖

The presentation by key caterers Tastefully

Yours, Rudy‘s and MFoods addressed

these cultural differences while examining

the etiquette related to catering challenges

in India, China and the United Arab

Emirates. The importance of

understanding the customs and etiquette

practices associated with these three

countries that are now frequent business

aviation destinations was illustrated

through examples of catering challenges.

The Catering Appreciation and

Networking Event went flawlessly this

year, and the venue was held adjacent to

the hotel pool featuring Southwestern

inspired cuisine with

margaritas, wine and beer. The

intense rainstorms from the

previous evening dared not make a

guest appearance, perhaps

deferring to Paula Kraft of

Tastefully Yours of Atlanta and

the Flight Attendants Committee

Catering Working Group.

Conference attendees spent several hours

enjoying the varied buffet menu and ample

seating that encouraged table-hopping

networking to take place. Melanie Van

Der Westhuizen traveled from Dubai to

attend the conference and had this to say

when asked if the long trip and associated

costs were worth the effort. ―Worth every

cent,‖ Van Der Westhuizen replied. ―It

was a hassle traveling during the summer

holiday and international flights were a bit

busy, but the location, the attendees, the

speakers and information outweighs every-

thing.‖ She came to explore and discuss a

recruitment business venture for the

Middle Eastern market, seeking advice

from seasoned professionals in the United

States. ―I would like to arrange a Flight

Attendant Conference in 2009 during the

Dubai Air show. The Middle East is

begging for it and everyone is invited.‖

The NBAA Flight Attendants Committee

concluded the Tucson conference with a

bang this year. A conference wrap-up

summary was held following the Catering

Breakout Sessions. In former years, most

attendees left after ―Catering Round-

tables,‖ but this year the incentive of

randomly awarded prizes ranging from

luxury hotel stays to aviation company

jackets brought most back together for one

last presentation. Committee members

Mary Ann Fash of the Boeing Company

and Jackie Kolesar of Dow Corning

Corporation coordinated over $6000 in

prizes donated by NBAA member

companies and other businesses. In a

surprise move following the prize awards,

members of the NBAA Flight Attendant

Committee donned Mardi Gras masks and

tossed beads out to the audience in order to

promote the 2009 Flight Attendant

Conference scheduled to take place in New

Orleans next June. Jazz music and Pat

O‘Brien‘s inspired Hurricanes will most

likely be featured during the festivities

next year to be held at the New Orleans

Doubletree Hotel.

Chairperson Judy Reif later commented on

the plans for the New Orleans Conference.

―It will be as dynamic and/or even better

than the 2008 conference. The goal is to

‗raise the standards‘ of the flight attendant

community. Safety comes first. A well

trained professional flight attendant is what

we are promoting to all attendees as well

as department managers.‖

**********************************

Deb Elam is currently a full time flight attendant with a U.S. based Part 91 flight department. She began her career in corporate aviation in 2000, first as a contract flight attendant and later as the Chief Flight Attendant for ACI Pacific, based in Guam while operating primarily out of Asia.

She has a culinary background and a BA from Harvard University.

(Continued from page 4)

Safety training issues and documentation continued to be a hot topic…..