Beyond the Red Carpet
by
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"Two minutes" called out the Secret Service agent as he repositioned the earphone in his ear. At that command the captain, copilot and I gave our uniforms the once over and hurried down the stairs of our jet to meet the motorcade containing our passengers – a former U.S. President and First Lady. As I waited for the motorcade to arrive I couldn’t help but feel that I had to be one of the luckiest persons alive. I had always wanted to be part of an aviation team in one way or another, but never thought it would be quite like this. Bypassing years of airline ranks, I had made it into "big time" corporate aviation, the first time. Why was this so incredible? To begin with, I was overweight (for airline standards), over forty years of age, a foreigner, and I had never worked formerly in aviation before. A few years earlier I had come to the end of a low-paid, dismal job and at that stage I really couldn’t say that I had any exceptional talents except that I loved the three "P’s" – people, places, and planes. I felt there had to be a new and better life beyond the confines of the orange carpeted floors of my six by five office cubicle. I yearned to be free of the ticking time clock, the weekly reports, and the constant surveillance of a boss who really didn’t seem to appreciate the great work I felt I was doing. It was time for a change! "Good morning, Gail," came the robust voice of the former President as he alighted from his limousine. "Good morning, Mr. President," came my reply as I reached out eagerly to assist him with his luggage. My career path had indeed changed its course! Now my office was the world, my time clock was Zulu, and my carpets were now red. I had entered the exciting, glamorous, wonderful world of corporate aviation; a world that was only obtainable by reaching beyond the apparently impossible. This could be you!
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About the Book
Have you ever wondered what went on beyond the glitz and glamour of traveling the world by private jet? Do you realize that it’s possible for you to be traveling with them and getting paid to do it? If this appeals to you as a wonderful opportunity and exciting profession, then turn the pages and let this book teach you how to become a corporate flight attendant on a private jet. This book is designed to inspire and encourage those of you who would like to get that ultimate insider’s job at the end of the red carpet, and into the world beyond.
About the Author
Gail Hopke considers herself a New Zealand born, Australian raised, American. Reared on a ranch in the outback of New Zealand, she quickly realized that her family’s love of the land was a far cry from her love of travel and international cultures. It would take years though for this dream to be realized, as she placed motherhood and education ahead of her career. Eventually, no matter what diploma she came home with, there was always the constant yearning of foreign lands and cultures beckoning her departure. As a trainee pilot she had a chance meeting with a captain who enlightened her regarding the incredible world of corporate aviation and thus a new dimension in her life began. Today, she is retired from the ranks of flight attending, but says she still holds in awe the crews who fly the skies--along with her husband, her family, friends, the editor and publisher, and most of all, God.