MY FIRST DAY AT THE AIRPORT

This morning, I had gotten up, packed my lunch, got dressed, and drove to the parking lot where I was to leave my car, be picked up by a shuttle bus, and taken to the airport. 

Today was an orientation day; I received the communications center policies and procedures, signed a paper stating that I read and understood them; took a tour of the communications center AND THE AIRPORT ITSELF, taken a lunch break, watched two videos, taken a test from one of the videos so that I would be able to receive my ID badge, was fingerprinted, and sat with two of the operators for the rest of the shift.    

The tour of the airport was absolutely fascinating!  I was almost embarrassed at how wide-eyed and amazed I was, like I was some little kid or something.  But if you've never been on airport grounds, it is something to see!  I witnessed a plane being fueled up for a flight, water for the faucet and toilets being pumped in, cargo and freight being loaded onto a plane, an FAA inspector giving the workers a hard time because he was clearly not satisfied with something on the plane that was being loaded up for a Japanese cargo flight, a survey of one of the runways RIGHT AFTER A PLANE LANDED (LOL), the FedEx, UPS and DHL planes, several airline planes (Continental, Delta, American, etc.), many, many pilots, and the corporate docks for private jets and planes, which usually belong to large companies.  The building that housed the Enron jets is still standing, but is being used by another company.  I also saw a World Airlines plane, that makes regular trips back and forth from South Africa; it is mainly used for rich oil men and women.  This is a few of the many things I saw there; as the days pass on and I learn more, I will share with you.  My next trip will be to the air traffic control tower; I have heard that there is where the real action is!

As far as the environment goes, the call center is MUCH SMALLER than the one I worked in for New Orleans.  Of course, I was working in an emergency call center; basically, I was told that here I will be giving out telephone numbers and assisting customers most of the day.  There won't be many of those highly stressful, life-or-death calls that I was taking at the emergency call center.  There will be some, like if a plane crash were ever to happen (and I am PRAYING TO GOD that one never will, LOL), but those types of calls will be rare.  The rules are EXTREMELY LAX, more than I am used to.  They are allowed to eat and drink in the call center.  We are able to make personal phone calls, as well as receive them.  We are even allowed to access the internet!  In New Orleans, NO personal phone calls were allowed; there was NO eating and drinking allowed in the call center, and we weren't even able to read a newspaper without the threat of being written up!  Just to be on the safe side, though, I will talk to my supervisor to verify if indeed all of these freedoms are allowed.  The eating and drinking, though, has been confirmed by him.

OH!  Y'all should see my LOCKER!!!  It is as TALL as I am, with hooks to hang clothes, plenty of room to place shelves in....it is WONDERFUL!  Even in New Orleans, I always had a very small locker; I didn't even have one at this Wal-Mart.  There was never enough room to put anything in.  Now, I have a big, roomy locker!  I cannot wait to fix it the way I like it!              

So far, so good; I was really trying to hide my excitement in being there.  I mean, to move from Wal-Mart to this place is.....like.......from the ghetto to the Hamptons! LOL LOL LOL LOL  A nice, AIR-CONDITIONED workplace, with a climate-controlled, secure parking area (I will be able to park in the airport parking lot once I receive my ID badge), NO UNIFORMS (we wear what we wish, as long as it isn't "out there"); good pay and good benefits, chances for advancement.....who can ask for anything more?

Tomorrow, I will be at City Hall to finish my processing, orientation and paperwork.  Then, it's back to the call center Thursday morning.  I will be working mornings for the rest of this week, and probably next week, and then I will be working evenings until it is time for shift rotation.  Shift rotation is mandatory for all; no one is assigned to a permanent shift.  I like that, I guess; they are trying to make it fair for all, and that's good.  However, it's going to be rough for me when I have to do the mornings; some shifts START at 5:30 AM!!!           

I already know who my trainer will be, and I heard that she is good.  One of the operators I sat with also shared some very valuable tips with me that I will be sure to take advantage of soon.  I have to learn the phonetic alphabet, and familiarize myself with the most frequently requested numbers.  Once I get the hang of it, though, it should be smooth sailing.  This is like riding a bike for me; you never forget the basics of customer service.

I had taken a nap once I had gotten home because I was up last night ironing school uniforms for my daughters.  Nicolette is still struggling with her studies.  I will attend open house this week, and talk to her teacher.  I am available to help Nicolette whenever I can, but I also reiterated to my husband that I need him to take a more active role in this girl's education.  The doctor gave me a number to call and have her tested for ADHD.  I will probably make that call tomorrow.  To be honest, I hate to think that she may be suffering with that.  Many people use those disorders as an excuse for everything wrong with their kids.  But my daughter is really, REALLY struggling with focus.  I hope these people can help us get down to the bottom of what is wrong, so that Nikki won't struggle too much longer.

I have some errands to run (at 12:46 AM, LOL), and then I am going to bed.  Good night, y'all!

 

Adrian