Around the World in a Bad Mood!: CONFESSIONS OF A FLIGHT ATTENDANT [BARGAIN PRICE] (Paperback)

by Rene Foss (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal
A flight attendant for 16 years, Foss developed a musical revue based on her experience, "Around the World in a Bad Mood," which has been performed in various cities since February 2000. In this print version, she candidly describes the inconvenience of flying from the perspective of a flight attendant, who constantly must handle complaints, delays, food service, air rage, customer misbehavior, and confessions from other flight attendants, e.g., one ate the chocolate-covered strawberries meant for the customers. Chapters stand alone, describing different aspects of the culture of airline travel; one includes the lyrics to the "Safety Demo Shuffle." There are also insightful details about living in Manhattan in a small studio with a large number of roommates, about the flight attendant's complicated schedule, and about the profession's inevitable frustrations and exciting benefits. Bound to be popular owing to Foss's upbeat attitude and the appeal of the topic itself, this book belongs in large public libraries. Alison Hopkins, Queens Borough P.L., Jamaica, NY
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Review
"Popular owing to Foss's upbeat attitude" -- Library Journal --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion; 1 edition (March 6, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786890118
• ASIN: B0014JUH5Y
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,625,317 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Keep your wallet in the closed and upright position, March 2, 2002

By	C. Osborn "Comic guy" (United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Around the World in a Bad Mood!: Confessions of a Flight Attendant (Paperback)

Since I fly fairly regularly, I was immediately drawn to this book's title. "Confessions of a flight attendant?", I thought while flipping through it at an airport bookstore. "Sounds like fun!"

But be warned. This book is based on Ms. Foss' stage show of the same name, and while I'm sure that it's hilariously funny theater, it doesn't translate onto the written page well. If you're expecting fascinating tips and revelations about the air travel industry, or any dish on the airlines themselves, you will be disappointed.

"Around The World" is a self-indulgent biography/humor book about Ms. Foss' life as a flight attendant. What do we learn from her 17 years of experience? Well, let's see: People are rude, a flight attendant's job isn't glamorous, and air travel isn't much fun. Now, if you knew any of that before reading this book, then you probably won't learn anything new here.

Because she's still working as a flight attendant (and probably doesn't want to get sued), Ms. Foss has made the book about a fictional airline called WAFTI (We Apologize For This Inconvenience Airlines). Expecting to hear dirt about United, American, TWA, Continental, etc? Sorry -- never mentioned. Hoping for the insider tips on travelling that only a flight attendant could possibly know about? Look elsewhere. Want to read too-long, pointless chapters about how a girl destined for show business was forced to get a job, move to a new city, and ... *gasp* ... pick up other people's trash? You're in luck, my friend.

Think your job's tough? Well, it probably is...maybe you should write a book about it. Ms. Foss did, and I paid [too much] for a whiney, shallow read that felt too much like listening to someone else's painfully awkward therapy session. That said, I did get through it for two reasons, one good and one bad. The good: it's a light breezy read. The bad: I kept hoping that the next chapter would have worthwhile information in it. Needless to say, it didn't.

I'd probably see the stage show if I'm ever in New York because, like the book, the idea of it sounds fun. But unless you enjoy mundane, unsurprising observations about life at 30,000 feet, this book (like this pun) never gets off the ground.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Loved it, October 26, 2005

By	Dria "Dria" (Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Around the World in a Bad Mood!: Confessions of a Flight Attendant (Paperback)

On my way to flight attendant training I bought this book and realized why I wanted to be a flight attendnat after all. The stories are real and funny. True and ridiculous. Loved it.

Now I'm a flight attendant and I still reread this book - she reminds me that all of us have gone through the things she describes.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutly hilarious from start to finish!!, March 13, 2006

By	Angela M. Calderon "Anjers" (phoenix az) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Around the World in a Bad Mood!: Confessions of a Flight Attendant (Paperback)

I have read this book at least 10x! And everytime it cracks me up. I recommend it to every FA I meet. I can so relate! Whenever I am having a rough day and forget why I chose this career to begin with, I read it again and it brightens my mood!