Flying Backwards Read Online Free Page A

monthly work-hour quota, attendants would be off until the new month started.
    William then discussed the hourly pay rate and the potential add-on incomes, like per diem, flying the lead position, and other roles that didn’t make sense to Eleanor yet. She learned there was a mandatory six-week training session at the Pittsburg Training Center. Meade Airlines would provide a free airline ticket to Pittsburg and cover the hotel room and transportation to and from the hotel to the training center. There was no paid salary during training. Meals were not covered. Also, there was a series of twenty-two written exams; each participant needed to score 80 percent or higher to pass. Two retakes were allowed. Trainees who failed more than twice were released from the program.
    “This is the first round in the interviewing process. We will notify you by mail if you will be called back for a second interview. There are up to four rounds of personal interviews. Good luck. On behalf of Meade Airlines we thank you for coming out today.” Maria smiled and moved to one of four interview tables. Two Meade Airlines employees sat at each table. Before Eleanor knew it she was sitting in front of Carl and Suzanne for round one.
    “Welcome. I’m Suzanne, this is Carl, and you are…?” Her pen was poised above her clipboard, her face friendly and persona professional.
    “Eleanor… Nora Clark. You can call me Nora.” She’d never before introduced herself as Nora. Everyone called her Eleanor, but she’d never particularly liked her name. Her mother had wanted authentic names, so she had named each of her daughters after an English queen: Queen Victoria, Queen Eleanor, and Queen Elizabeth. Eleanor could never imagine Victoria as Vicky or Tori. But Nora somehow suited her new mindset. Nora’s confidence rose, and she was pleased with herself for yet another subtle change.
    “Nora, what interested you in coming to this interview today?” Suzanne assumed the lead. Carl sat, his back ramrod straight. Nora felt his eyes sweep her in a once-over assessment.
    Nora held her breath for the briefest moment, and in that moment, her truest feelings were finally released. “I’m ready for a journey, and this could be the doorway to that journey.”
    “Tell me more.” Suzanne and Carl exchanged knowing glances. “Are you currently employed?”
    “Yes, I have a business administration position at a software company. However, as of the first of the year that company will be relocating.” Nora was glad she had an authentic reason for seeking new employment.
    “Oh, are you opposed to relocating? With this job you’d need to live within sixty miles of the base assigned to you.”
    “No, I think relocating is exactly what I need. I also feel like a career change is in order,” she assured them.
    “What experiences would make you a good candidate for our airline?”
    “In my current job, I’m constantly involved with customer service issues, which has taught me to work with others during stressful situations.” Suzanne nodded approvingly, and Nora continued. “Also, my family runs a successful catering company, and I’ve worked all aspects, from cooking to serving to customer relations to budgeting to dealing with every incident–you name it and I’ve done it. I worked with my family part-time through high school and college and then full-time for a couple years until I landed my current job. I still help out as often as I can, though it’s run by my mother and older sister.” It was true she made a good fit in her family’s business. Heidi and Victoria had talked about her becoming a future partner. She loved helping them but never felt like she could be a partner. It just didn’t feel right.
    Suzanne looked up again from the clipboard neatly holding Nora’s paperwork. “I see you speak French. We have an international program.”
    She’d taken two years of French in college after four years in high school. It had been awhile