FlightLog: The Novel Adventures of a Stewardess Wannabe who Becomes a Flight Attendant by SUZ Book Review!

 

Sherri Van Ness, an unassuming girl from Kansas is about to embark on the adventure of her life when she signs up to become a stewardess. But it’s more turbulent than this doughy-eyed 19-year-old imagined as she tries to navigate past grouchy passengers, fly-by-night relationships and the unforgiving, relentless, humiliating, monthly weigh-ins in 1978. Some dreams come true. Others require a vomit bag.

That’s not to say Sherri doesn’t enjoy herself. Au contraire! There are friends to be made and men to be made and the maid who made up her room in New York is so nice!

Yes, the work is difficult at times and the money isn’t always good, but there are perks: free flights and an endless supply of tiny vodka bottles and salted peanuts (peanut allergies hadn’t been invented yet.)

Like Dorothy Gale sans Toto, Sherri leaves Kansas and finds herself amidst a cast of characters as strange to her as the Scarecrow and the Munchkins were to Dorothy. Her whirlwind journey takes her from innocent, insecure stewardess to mature and confident flight attendant.

Book your flight now with this very enjoyable read, put your seat back in the upright position, and enjoy the ride!

330 pages

Published August 1, 2022

Susan Jo Humphrey, the daughter of a diplomat, was born in Izmir, Turkey where she lived for three years. She also lived in Korea and Thailand, before returning home to the US with her family as a teenager. She has traveled all over the United States and has called several parts of this country ‘home.’ Her many airplane rides as a child convinced her she must one day become a stewardess.

Suz was a flight attendant for thirteen of her twenty-five years with UAL. She began penning FlightLog with the help of the Naperville Writer’s Group, outside of Chicago. There, she published in their annual pamphlet, had a humor piece printed in an online magazine, and contributed many articles to local newspapers. At the time of publication, she is busy working on FlightLog II.

Away from the keyboard, Suz loves yoga, reading, cooking, listening to music and playing her guitar. She still enjoys mapping out travel to faraway places she’s never seen, as well as planning return trips to her favorite spots.

She currently lives in Southern California and has two grown children. Today, she’s in healthcare, where she’s worked since 2014. Suz was the ‘baby’ of her flight attendant classes – and the ‘senior’ student in her nursing classes. She’s eager to write that story as well: a novice baby-boomer RN begins her dream career as a travel nurse – just as a pandemic breaks out!

My Thoughts

Flightlog, a novel of the adventures of a wannabe stewardess that actually became a flight attendant in the 1970's. The story tells of Sherri, a young woman eager to get on with her life. She wants to be a flight attendant. So, she applies and is accepted and undergoes a grueling training session, learning the do's and don'ts of flying, how to handle unruly passengers, how to interact with her coworkers and passengers.

She forms relationships with her coworkers, both male and female, has a few affairs that don't go so well but ultimately loves what she does and is good at it.

I found this novel to be a quick and enjoyable read from start to finish! Learned about the airline business as well. Written with a light prose, character driven pace that is easy to read. Although there are some instances that would never fly now (no pun intended) just the atmosphere of sexism and male ego prevail, but it gives the reader exactly what it was like for a young woman wanting to pursue a career in the aviation business.

Like I said I really enjoyed the book, hope to read more by this author!

I give the book 5 stars!