Every Stewardess/ Flight Attendant has heard an array of compliments, come-on's, and flirtations during their career! It comes with the territory.
Flying from Detroit to Los Angeles one day I encountered an "unusual" compliment. I was working in First Class. I had a gentleman in my cabin I can only describe as heavy set and slightly disheveled. After my initial service he asked to speak to me.
He informed me that I was beautiful! He was a major movie producer. He told me that Faye Dunaway had nothing on me- and he'd like to do a film test for me. (Now- I've heard plenty of "come-on" lines- but this was a new one!)
I thanked him for the compliment, but told him I already had a career- blonds were the "in" thing at that time- and I certainly didn't look like the little blond next door type that was so popular at the time.
There was something else about this man that caused me to pause. He rarely made eye contact. I found that rather strange. He kept telling me he could launch a film career for me. In my mind I found it odd that he said this not know if I could act or not. When I broached that subject- he only said he had a gut feeling about me.
I also addressed the issue of keeping my flying career while pursuing a film career. How would that be possible! He only said he'd find a way to work that out. (It amazed me that he pursued the subject as long as he did!)
He handed me his business card before he deplaned in LA. "Call Me", he said. "You are meant to do more than be an air hostess"! I inwardly smiled at the label he gave my career choice. Needless to say- I didn't make that call! Though I was a bit flattered- I also felt something wasn't quite on the up and up with this guy. My gut told me something was a bit shady with him.
He seemed perplexed that I didn't jump at the chance to be a "movie star"!! As I told him, "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and fleeting at best!" I wasn't what one would call "Star struck"!
Recently I saw him on the T.V. news! Yep- there he was, being charged with sexual misconduct with many many actresses!
His name? Harvey Weinstein!
Looking back I can only say I Dodged The Bullet! I now wonder what my fate would have been if I took him up on that "film test"! Needless to say, I don't think it would have ended well!
Until Next Time, Dear Readers!
Life Is Indeed An Adventure! And Listening To Your Gut Can Prove Invaluable!!
6 comments:
Don't you just love meeting the Famous or SOON TO BE FAMOUS people. Working 36 years with Airlines, ( North Central , Republic & Northwest ) I kept Vincent Prices personal luggage behind my Gate counter while he went a wandering the Concourse. I made a phone available for Dear ABBY at my gate because all the Pay Phones across the hall were busy , taken or Broken. The my best all time favorite was the evening that
a young female came to the gate and checked in for the Flight to Green Bay. A few minutes later a oversize type lineman came down to the gate and was looking around when he made eye contact with the young woman. With in a few minutes the young woman ASKED for her ticket back. She and the man then went back up the concourse, Arm in Arm. After i had finished boarding the flight , closed up my gate I walked up to the main counter when one of the other agents told me I had a phone call. When I picked it up , it was Vince Lombardi and he was demanding WHY I chose to make his little girl an oversold passenger. I told him there were no over Sold passengers on the flight and the plane went out half empty. Then had dawned on me that the name on the ticket was also Lombardi . I asked him if his daughter was a small petite blond ? He said yes. I said she came to the gate and checked in but then a fellow in his early 20's that appeared to me to have the body of a line backer came down to the gate, saw her sitting in the gate lobby and went over to talk with her, then she asked for her ticket back and the two of them walked back up the concourse, Arm in Arm together. He then apologized, Thank me for a honest conversation , took me name and hung up. The next day when I came into work there was a large gift basket filled with all sorts of Goodies and a bottle of wine. The card was signed Vince L. ..... I'm not sure but I am willing to bet his daughter and a certain ball player caught hell following that phone call the night before.
Dear Ocalakid- Thank you! Another great story I would like you to post for the group! They'd LOVE it! Thank you!
Hi Marcy, I was a gate agent in Green Bay, Wi. in 1980. One evening I was asked to assist a VIP coming in from ORD and transferring to a evening flight to Marquette, Mi. I recognized Mel Blanc and introduced myself. I took him down to the Convair and we sat waiting for the crew to come on. I had the upmost honor of having a one on one conversation with Mr. Blanc for about forty five minutes. What made it special was we never discussed his cartoon voices. I asked him about his early career writing with Cid Caesar, Mel Brooks, in the early days of TV. He lit up and answered all my questions, added stories and especially the years he was with Jack Benny on his TV show. This was 1980, no Me TV, reruns of the such. He was surprised at how much I knew of his career and all those old shows. When the crew arrived I said my good-bye. He shook my hand and said how pleased he was to meet me. "Everybody wants to hear Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Buggs Bunny. Tonight I got to talk about me and rekindle old memories." Upon my leaving I told the crew who their special passenger was. I will never forget that. A truly class man.
Dear Jerry Johnson- Thank you for your story! I have a facebook group called "Marcy's Blog Friends"- where we all share our stories. Many are airline or former airline employees- but others that enjoy stories or are writers. I'd love to have you join our group! This story would be a great addition!
Had ole Harve on board several times, 757 flights, DTW to LAX. What a slob.
Dear Rand Peck- Yes, I agree on the "slob" part! Never looked the part of a professional either!
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