Zippyjet From United States of America, joined Sep 2001, 4743 posts, RR: 13 Posted (6 years 7 months 4 days 14 hours ago) and read 1850 times:
I need some sage advice and, I know I can get it from my friends on the vast A-Net network. First off, a safe and most of all happy Thanksgiving to all. And, yes I'm very thankful for all the good things in my life. And, yes, I feel much deserved props go out to all our brothers and sisters who are working their essential jobs in medicine, law enforcement, fire and rescue and the rest.
How do you who must work on this special holiday in the service industries such as hotels, restaurants and of course our industry (airlines) cope with being away from our loved ones. And before I forget, a deep heartfelt shout out to all our servicemen and servicewomen stuck overseas doing our dirty work while we are relatively safe and sound in the US! I'm not looking for nor want any pity! And, if I must be working and denied the opportunity to celebrate with my family, at least I'm in the heart of the airport. But!
How do you deal with folks who ask you how is your Thanksgiving? I'd like to say duhh, do you see my family, do you see the turkey? But, in the long run, I know they are trying to be nice or at least appear to be caring.
On the other hand, have you dealt with passengers/customers who are flying not by choice on this holiday; due to family illness or death or for their jobs?
What do you do to keep composed without feeling blue or envious?
How many of you will also be sharing my situation? Working at a busy restaurant serving turkey to happy patrons? Working like I am on the front lines getting passengers in and out of the big birds quickly and safley? And, how about those who work in retail where they just stay open?
Normally, I would not care but, my parents are getting up there in age. And one always wonders if there will be a next year. Just writing this last sentance gives me the willies. And to those well meaning who ask how about Christmas and New Years? I don't celebrate Christmas and New Years is more a pain in the ass than anything else and I stay put for economical, safety and sanity issues.
If we get the chance on the actual holiday, lets tell our stories, the ridiculous, the awful and yes any good things to share.
ANCFlyer From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 1, posted (6 years 7 months 4 days 14 hours ago) and read 1842 times:
I will be off this Thanksgiving, first time in 5 years.
I worked seventeen out of twenty-four of them when I was in the Army. I worked five out of six of them after I retired.
Just doesn't matter to me. . . . another day, that's all. If I work, it's a double time $$$ day, so there is that advantage. If I'm off, hell, I don't know what I'll do. I haven't been off on a Turkey Day since 1995. Not sure what my options are
Notdownnlocked From United States of America, joined Sep 2000, 915 posts, RR: 1 Reply 2, posted (6 years 7 months 4 days 14 hours ago) and read 1842 times:
I've done it for years even while working midnight shift. Stay awake and go to the festivities then take a nap and go to work again.
Now since my employer has displaced me I am stuck halfway across the country and my wife and son will go "home" to enjoy the holiday with my mom and all the other family. It's not an easy pill to swallow but just something to be done as an airline employee. For instance my schedule this year allows me (0) or (ZERO) holidays off this year to celebrate with my family.
I forgot to add that my mom will be 73 soon and Turkey Days and other holidays spent together are in limited supply too. I also have almost 18 years of my life spent in the company where I am now employed but I do it for the money and the support of my family. We all make sacrifices.
Mirrodie From United States of America, joined Apr 2000, 7422 posts, RR: 65 Reply 3, posted (6 years 7 months 4 days 14 hours ago) and read 1826 times:
I have not been in that scenario in some years but it was tough when I did have to work the holidays or when my parents had to work them.
I basically just made the most of the day that I was with the family, be it 1 hour or 4 fours. Even worked around doing T-day breakfasts and lunches.
In some years, it was actually nice to work the Thursday, since there were always people that couldn't make it and so we'd make Friday or Saturday as the holiday. In other words, with so many family members scrambling ot be everywhere at once, sometimes working that holiday was a nice thing.
My mom worked quite a few Christmas' but again, as stated above, we saw the sacrifice and made our best with what we could.
I actually think the holiday work days made the 'regular' days that much better since we just try to enjoy our time together no matter the occasion. Seens we make most of our meals a big celebration these days.
But as ANCflyer mentioned, doubletime and a few extra days is a great thing.
@ Zippy, just that last paragragh frames your perspective best. If you can, take the day off and be with your parents, even if its only squeezing in a few hours in the day of, before or after.
Forum moderator 2001-2010; He's a pedantic, pontificating, pretentious bastard, a belligerent old fart, a worthless st
Trekster From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 4, posted (6 years 7 months 4 days 12 hours ago) and read 1800 times:
Its the same thing with christmas.
Last year i worked boxing day, xmas eve, new years day. This year im working Xmas day, boxing day new years day so will not have a proper xmas this year. Last year i spent it with my friends folks, god knows whats happeneing this year
IAH777 From United States of America, joined Mar 2008, 0 posts, RR: 5 Reply 5, posted (6 years 7 months 4 days 8 hours ago) and read 1786 times:
A holiday is whenever you make it. I've been pulling nights since 2001 and find that family is willing to adjust to my schedule. On Thanksgiving, we've made it a dinner around 1800, wheras it was traditionally a late lunch/early dinner around 1500. Christmas is whenever you can do it. If I've just come off a night shift, we may open gifts before I go to bed or I'll get up a little early. Naps are wonderful things.
Nights are really kicking my arse these days, as our house is on the market and realtors are constantly showing. With fifteen minutes' notice at the equivalent of 0200, I have to get up, make the bed, stage the house, hide the dog toys/bowls, load the dogs and drive down the street.
BTW, with a schedule change this summer, I will have both Tgiving and Xmas off this year.
Get on a plane and see your daughter you .......!!!! God are you that dense?
Seriously if you have enough time off and are not working on Friday, go see your girl. Elsewise be the man we all 'know' you are, find a married guy who's scheduled to work Turkey day, and offer to take his shift.
ANCFlyer From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 7, posted (6 years 7 months 4 days 6 hours ago) and read 1773 times:
Quoting TedTAce (Reply 6): Get on a plane and see your daughter you .......!!!! God are you that dense?
I already have tickets for that after the Holidays. . . she'll not be home anyway . . . going to relatives in Pennsylvania.
Quoting TedTAce (Reply 6): find a married guy who's scheduled to work Turkey day, and offer to take his shift.
No takers . . . that's my usual tack . . . no sense in some poor bastard with a family being stuck here if he doesn't want to be.
Quoting IAH777 (Reply 5): With fifteen minutes' notice at the equivalent of 0200, I have to get up, make the bed, stage the house, hide the dog toys/bowls, load the dogs and drive down the street.
That sucks . . . you need a motorhome or a camper. You could crash there and not be disturbed . . .
TedTAce From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 8, posted (6 years 7 months 4 days 6 hours ago) and read 1766 times:
Quoting ANCFlyer (Reply 7): I already have tickets for that after the Holidays. . . she'll not be home anyway . . . going to relatives in Pennsylvania.
at least I thought of it too...
Quoting ANCFlyer (Reply 7): No takers . . . that's my usual tack . . . no sense in some poor bastard with a family being stuck here if he doesn't want to be.
Good Boy, I think Santa will have an extra box of Ammo for you this year
Zippyjet From United States of America, joined Sep 2001, 4743 posts, RR: 13 Reply 10, posted (6 years 7 months 3 days 17 hours ago) and read 1706 times:
I have to work on Thanksgiving... the good part is, i work 3rd shift.
Therefore, i will have time to eat with the "in-laws" at 2pm and head to work at 8pm.
Lowrider From United States of America, joined Jun 2004, 3220 posts, RR: 10 Reply 12, posted (6 years 7 months 3 days 17 hours ago) and read 1698 times:
I like Thanksgiving. I prefer it over Christmas. Last year was the first one I had off in 7 years. Over that time I have taken great satisfaction in knowing that I helped made sure the last minute flights went out so people traveling could get home. On the overnight, I will find usually splurge a little on dinner. One year we had a great prime rib dinner. A couple of times my family has non-reved out to be we me. It may not always be ideal, but I have found ways to enjoy it.
ZKSUJ From New Zealand, joined May 2004, 6974 posts, RR: 10 Reply 13, posted (6 years 7 months 3 days 12 hours ago) and read 1678 times:
Same with working Christmas here. Once at work, you seem not to think about it much. Its a nicer atmosphere as people are nicer etc etc and theres a buzz in the air, but I didn't think about home much.
Ilikeyyc From United States of America, joined Dec 2003, 1373 posts, RR: 22 Reply 15, posted (6 years 7 months 3 days 8 hours ago) and read 1659 times:
Thanksgiving is a normal day off for me, so no problems here. But Christmas is another story. I won't be home for Christmas because of my work schedule.
Quoting Zippyjet (Thread starter): What do you do to keep composed without feeling blue or envious?
For the sage advice, I'd say that you just have to remember that these are the people who are keeping you in business. That and (as you pointed out) there will be many other people who will be working, performing essential services all day long on Thursday.
I don't know what your schedule or your family's schedule is this week, but is it possible to celebrate Turkey day on a different day? In my past, I have had to celebrate more than one holiday with family on a different day.
VonRichtofen From Canada, joined Nov 2000, 4621 posts, RR: 40 Reply 16, posted (6 years 7 months 2 days 23 hours ago) and read 1627 times:
I get to work Christmas day this year as well. Part of working in the Airline biz I guess. I get next to free flights anywhere in the world anytime I want, so I can't really complain.
767Lover From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 18, posted (6 years 7 months 2 days 7 hours ago) and read 1588 times:
Quoting ANCFlyer (Reply 1): Just doesn't matter to me. . . . another day, that's all.
I am self employed, so I take off when I want to, and take the holidays off because of family's wishes.
However, if it weren't for my family, I wouldn't mind working on a holiday. I can take a "holiday" another time. The only advantage to taking the holiday at the normal time is that there's no risk of a client calling me and interrupting.
When I worked retail I always had to work the day after Thanksgiving, when everyone else I knew was off. However, it was kind of fun to be at the mall that day because everyone was in the holiday mood.
KaiGywer From United States of America, joined Oct 2003, 12043 posts, RR: 42 Reply 19, posted (6 years 7 months 2 days 7 hours ago) and read 1581 times:
Yup, 1400-2200 here. Turkey dinner is at 1600, so I told the wife she better save me some food This will then be eaten during my 0600-2200 shift on Friday
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at least I thought of it too...
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This will then be eaten during my 0600-2200 shift on Friday 
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