Dear K,

I just posted something too about 2 hrs ago. I too am in my 24 th year as an airline agent. I sooooo know what you are talking about. I want out so bad I could scream. But , it pays the bills and gives some sense of security (pay, medical, flight).

If you find an answer please let me know, as I will do the same too. I want change but wonder what is going to really do it for me. I took a vol furlough 4 years ago thinking I will have new doors open up. Well, when all I could find are dead end jobs and my cushion ran out, I sold my house, and moved to where there was an opening back in the airline. Now I rent, moved 3 times since, and want to buy a home but keep thinking maybe my "hopefull new career " will bring me somewhere else to live. I live in Clearwater, Fl.

Good luck and keep me posted.

I worked for the airline for 28 years. I was so burned out and passionless. I felt used and abused and tired. Mostly it was my spirit that was crushed. I could not walk in the door of the airport 1 more day. I had gotten to the end. I felt like I couldnt breath and the company did not support its staff. I had 28 years and I could not get weekends off or summer vacation or holidays like christmas. Why was I putting myself through this? Fear because I did not want to be a bag lady so I stuck it out for the pension. Now gone 3 years I dont have night mares anymore but why oh why did I do this to myself.Because I did not feel worthy. Please oh please know that now being here feeling and knowing what I do that it is not worth it. So many people retire and die cause they have nothing to live for. The New Earth has made me feel each step in my day. To look at the sky and birds and feel blessed. To feel the peace and love of just being. This course here will show your strengths then take those and fly away baby.Fly into the unknown and see your passion move the earth.There are so many things you will be good at and please dont be an old old flight attendant and miss your graciousness and love of being....

To the Fustrated Flight Attendants,

I am not in your situation but my bestfriend Michelle was. Try 31 years and in her 50s. She know has found her passion and if you are interested in finding out she got out of that "comfortable place" and a "rut".

You can email her at michelle.harrell@msn.com or myself at erika@successti.com She just walked away from that career and is at home designing a life for herself.

Let her know that mama3xs gave you her email. You have many more years to enjoy! Get to it! This is your year for change!

God bless you all!

Hi Frustrated Flight Attendant,

When I read your post, I was instantly taken back to the time (the majority of my 33 years as a F/A) when I had many of your same feelings. When I began my flying career it was still a fun and somewhat "glamorous" job. After 5 years the fun and glamour wore off and for the next 28 years those "golden handcuffs" began to feel like rusted tin! I felt stagnated. I even went back to school thinking that I would find my calling and passion through that.

I kept wondering what I could do to feel fulfilled and useful. Not that being trained to respond to emergencies in possible live endangering situations isn't of great use and benefit, but no one wants to put that into practice. Toward the end of my career, I finally realized that what I felt had eluded me all of those years was the very thing that i needed to do to find fulfillment and joy.

I realized that a job ("just over broke") was not going to give me what I wanted for myself and my family. I no longer was satisfied with someone else determining my dreams and my worth. After much soul searching I made the decision to reclaim my life and go for the life I had dreamed of when I was much younger. Some would say that to walk away from what I knew at the age of 54 was insane at the very least, but for me that mindset is one that is stuck in past failures and fear of what tomorrow may bring. I chose to live for my life now because, as Eckhart has reminded us, there is only now. Yes, plan for the future, but live in the now. Enjoy and be in gratitude for every moment you have.

I listened to my heart, my inner being, and that allowed me to find, or I should say it found me, a way that is providing and will continue to provide the life that everyone truely deserves. I feel we are all here to be in service to each other in some way. What I found may not be for you, but please feel free to email me to talk about your situation at michelleharrell@msn.com

As my friend mama3xs said, "This is your year for change. Go out and get it". I have often said that I only have this life as I know it. What am I saving it for?

May you be blessed in all that you do.