Her Story
About Patty
Patty Reid is a former corporate flight attendant who worked on private jets for a very long time, serving high-profile clients including celebrities and corporate travelers. She is also an author who wrote and self-published a book in 2015 detailing her experiences flying rich and famous people at 25,000 feet. Reid attributes her success in writing the book to wanting to show her son that she could complete it, and her success in flying to her determination not to fail. Her career began after attending college and completing a flight service class, leading to roles as a ticket agent at Jet America Airlines and later as a flight attendant on a first-class service airline. She values honesty, kindness, and responsibility in her work and personal life.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Patty
01What do you attribute your success to?
As far as writing the book, it was because I wanted my son to see I could do it and finish it. As far as flying, that was because I was determined. I just wasn't gonna fail. Failure wasn't an option.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Remember your frequent flyer's names. That served me so well over the years.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
They need self-confidence, because your first flight is gonna freak you out, because there's nobody there to train you. At least then, I didn't have anybody train me. It was sink or swim. But I did it. You've got to read the room so you know if they want you to come back and fill their wine so they think you're being attentive, or if you should stay in your galley or jump seat, and not bug them.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I am of the old school tradition of not lying. The golden rule, and being a friend and kind and honest with people in a world where that's so obscure. I think it's more important than ever to be a nice human, and responsible, and helpful. Because there's so many people only about themselves. It's such a selfish society now.
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