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There's nothing like practically living on an airplane to change what you wish for every year.
"All I want for Christmas is job security, being able to hold my first choice work schedule, two weeks vacation, a raise, longer layovers, more wide-body flying, faster flying times, grateful and polite passengers with a sense of humor, more ferry flights, a cockpit that appreciates who’s on the other side of the reinforced door, and a fun crew."
That's what my coworker and friend Florence wrote in 2009 when I asked my friends on Facebook what they'd like for Christmas. Amazingly not a lot has changed. That said, something tells me Florence STILL won't be getting all that what she wanted — six years ago.
SEE ALSO: Flight attendant has a theory why passengers can't behave
But there are still gifts for making her and other travelers a little happier on the road. So what can you get that special flight attendant, pilot or frequent flier in your life for Christmas this year? Here’s my 2015 holiday gift list.
1. Gogo in-flight Internet
Passengers assume flight attendants get to use the internet for free at 30,000 feet. Not true. (At least not at my airline.)
This is why so many of my coworkers have no idea how to help passengers log on. It also explains why a few of my coworkers who do know how to log on will share an account with another flight attendant. It’s not cheap, but it's nice to be able to stay connected.
Gogo doesn't offer gift cards, but you can purchase one for someone else using their email address.
2. Mophie battery case
Mophie is popular, but really any portable battery power charger will do. In fact I’ll take two, a back up for the back up — just in case.
3. Touchscreen gloves
Don’t let chilly weather stop your favorite flight attendant from texting.
Do you know how long we have to wait for the employee bus: the hotel shuttle? Sometimes it's cold outside when we get lost in a new city and need to use our phone to pull up Google Maps.
4. Cashmere
Planes are cold, so give the gift that keeps travelers warm. And stylish. And feeling luxurious. All at the same time.
One of the favorite things in my closet is a Cashmere Hoodie. I wouldn’t mind a cashmere scarf with matching cashmere gloves. Cashmere everything.
5. Starbucks gift card
Our lives are filled with 5AM departures, red eye flights, and 10 hour duty days. Caffeine, we need caffeine. Starbucks gift cards make fantastic gift for travelers. Along with a box of via instant coffee packages because nothing ruins my day more than not having enough time to wait in a long line to get a decent cup of coffee. I mean you’ve tasted the airplane coffee, right?
6. DSW gift card
Two words: Cart toe. It’s what happens when you spend a big part of your life kicking carts.
Flight attendants go through shoes like business class passengers go through Heinekin. Throw in a few satin shoe bags to make it even better. What's grosser than packing a pair of dirty shoes next to clean clothes?
7. Sephora gift card
When one of my classmates in flight attendant training asked an instrtuctor why we had to wear red lipstick, he said, “so passengers can read your lips during an emergency.”
Twenty years later I’m still unsure if he was kidding or not. What I do know is airlines love for their female flight crew to wear red lipstick, and passengers like to see attractive flight crew. It ain’t cheap being pretty.
8. Lotion
I can always tell I’ve been flying too much based on the way my hands look. It's like they age 100 years after flying a few days in a row. It's the soap in the bathroom, the dry recycled air — that’s why it’s imperative to drink a ton of water, and slather yourself in lotion.
Think shea butter. I love Laura Mercier’s souflé body cream (which pairs nicely with the body wash).
9. Massages
Flight attendants come into contact with so many people who have their own unique little issues.
While we'll do everything we can to ensure passengers are happy, sometimes it’s just not enough. Sometimes we pay the price for whatever has gone wrong. Sometimes I feel like a human punching bag. A massage always helps to melt the stress away after a long day.
10. eBags Crew Cooler
On domestic routes my airline doesn’t cater cabin crew meals. It’s hard to believe, I know, but flight attendants get hungry, too.
Most of the time we'll eat leftover passenger meals or buy something at the airport. For the flight attendant determined to get fit this year, or the new hire who can’t afford to eat out, get them the gift of refrigeration.
11. Monthly wine membership
It’s all about relaxation after a long flight: What better way to relax than with a glass of wine — and maybe a bubble bath. Or a glass of wine, a bubble bath and a nice scented candle.
You get the picture.
12. Home-cooked meal
After working several days in a row I’ll start to crave salad. Yes, salad.
Normally I’m not a big salad eater, but that’s how bad the food is when you travel often. A home-cooked meal (made by someone else) would be heavenly.
Or even a nice dinner out. After serving hundreds of passengers every day, it’s nice to sit back and be served by someone else.
13. Anything airline related
Flight crew love airline related gifts.
Vintage travel posters, airplane charms, flight attendant Barbie, an old beverage cart, a desk made from airplane parts. You name it, we want it.
Uncommon Goods has some more cool airplane gifts for aviation geeks.
14. Noise cancellation headphones
The best way to ignore a chatty seatmate is to wear headpones. After a long day at work the last thing anyone wants to do is talk.
Remember flight crew talk for a living. This is why the gift of silence will be much appreciated, especially if your flight attendant commutes to work.
15. Books
Here's an easy one: What goes with travel better than a good book?
Flight attendants love to read. Whether it’s something on an e-reader or a real deal page turner. Anything to get our minds off work.