Cobblestones and Heels

Corporate flight attendant Martone’s goal in this brief, informative guide is to dispel the outdated mystique of the “sky angel,” replacing it with the intense training, long hours, and hard work of modern private cabin attendants. Chatty and uncomplicated, Martone’s writing has the tone of a diary even when giving practical advice for aspiring flight attendants, such as what to have on a resume (professional safety training, culinary skills, and a customer-service background). She acquaints the reader with the best the job has to offer(international travel and culture), as well as the worst (high-altitude work when you’re sick), and recounts one memorable episode of mid-air peril, during a “bad trip” with novice pilots. Although she tends to repeat herself, Martone is most cogent when recalling her favorite travel memories: an unexpected African safari, a one-month tour with a rock band, and a trip to her ancestral home in Russia. She concedes that “looks” might get the interview, but debunks their importance in doing the job: “Your face will not accomplish creating and serving five-star meals. It will not help you meet the needs of your passengers and supply them with the outstanding customer service they are expecting.” Her writing suffers from numerous errors (such as typos and grammatical inconsistencies), but Martone skillfully shows that an easygoing temperament and discreet nature are necessary to succeed in private aviation. (BookLife)