Lucky #13

I bet that not many of you can remember what you were doing on March 31, 1997....but I sure can.

I walked into a training class that has pretty much changed my whole life.  The story goes like this...

I was 17 years old and attending college classes at SLCC instead of completing my senior year in high school.  It's called concurrent enrollment, and I have NEVER regretted my decision to do that.  I took college classes that counted towards my high school credit so I pretty much had enough credits to graduate high school early.

I don't remember exactly how it came out, but my neighbor/friend called and said that Delta Air Lines was hiring soon.  I filled out the application and she turned it in.  2 days after my 18th birthday, I recieved a call to come in for an interview the next day...so I did.

I walked into the building and up the stairs.  They had a long table with someone sitting at it with my application.  She asked if there was anything that needed to be changed or added and looked over it one last time.  She did mention that on the history section (this application was a freakin' novel), I had not gone back 10 years.  I told her because 10 years ago I was in 3rd grade.  It didn't matter...I still needed to list my elementary and Jr. High schools (seems pretty silly to me).  After on last glance over, she took the application and had me follow into an office. 

Some one came in shortly and asked me a few questions.  I much have passed that part, cause I was led to another office with a computer.  This was for the typing test.  I must have passed that too, cause I was once again led to another office with a manager sitting in it.  She asked a few more questions and seemed pleased by my answers.  She walked me to the top of the stairs and said I'd be hearing from them if there was a job available.

I don't really remember how much time went by, but I did recieve a call asking if I was able to start a training class the first part of May.  Thrilled I said absolutely.  Another week went by and I was called again.  This time I was asked if I could attend the March training class instead of the May one.  I worked some things out, and was told that the class would start on March 31st.

So here I am...March 31st...13 years later!

In honor of my 13 year anniversary (which doesn't mean anything to delta-they only care about the anniversaries divisable by 5's), I'd thought I just mention my history with Delta Air Lines.

I started March 31st, 1997.  I was hired as an associate (or part-time).  I recieved an hourly pay rate and travel passes.  In 1999 all associates were converted to 'part-time' and given all the same benefits as the full-time agents. 

I started in 'GS' or 'General Sales.'  I mostly handled Skymiles questions, reservations, and ticket reissues.  After about 5 years I moved departments to OAL or Other Airline Awards.  I would book skymile tickets on all of our partner airlines here.  I really enjoyed that too.  It was always a puzzle to try and find something for someone and I really enjoyed the challenge.  Then in Dec. of 2004, Delta was allowing people to transfer to the Airport.  I decided to take a chance (I really doubted that I would ever be offered the job) to transfer over to the airport.  Well, low and behold, I did get the offer-even though I was 8.5 months pregnant with my daughter.  I have been on the ramp loading the planes ever since.  And I LOVE it!

And that is my story.  Not too bad for someone who just thought I could do the job while I was going to school and maybe take advantage of the benefits alittle too.

I am grateful for all the opportunities that my job has allowed me over the last 13 years.  I have taken incredible trips and seen incredible things by working for an airline.  I now consider this my career and hope that I'll be there at least another 13 years.