Two Generations: One AA Legacy (Part 2)

Mother + Daughter Graduation Photos - The American Airlines Training Center

A Mother in Aviation Story

What started as a childhood dream became a reality when I was hired as a Customer Service Agent for American Airlines 32 years ago.  As a child, I dreamt of visiting exotic places and then as a teenager and young woman fantasized about travelling to the places I read about in the romance novels I was enthralled by. Having the opportunity to travel is one of the most rewarding and exciting perks of the job as an airline employee and that was what attracted me to the job and kept me hooked for so many years.

Many things have changed in the industry since those early days. What has not

changed is the unspoken bond that we share as airline employees. This bond is as strong as within one’s own family, like a brotherhood or sisterhood, a fraternity or sorority. Who better could understand the grueling schedules, long shifts, delayed flights and weather disruptions than a fellow worker. 

As a working mother with young children many sacrifices were made by myself and my family early in my career. Holidays and birthdays were spent at work. Grandmas and aunties were always there to assist when the going got tough. School functions and extracurricular activities were also a challenge to attend. Somehow, we got through those difficult times, and looking back at all we went through in the early years can now find time to laugh and reminisce about the “good old days”.

Even with many negatives, the positive aspects of the job were and are just as

rewarding. Who else could say they visited Paris for the day, or went to Brazil at the spur of the moment. I remember taking my daughter and her college roommate to Barcelona for their Spring Break. The joy and freedom of just being able to travel to anywhere your heart desires is a powerful aphrodisiac, but also not for the faint of heart. We were lucky to have travelled together as a family to many places others only dream of, and to have many cherished and shared memories that will forever be a part of our family stories to be passed on. Working in the airline industry encourages independence and critical thinking. It also helps build strong character and resilience. No other job offers the diversity of people and ability to make life-long friends and acquaintances from all walks of life.

I am proud that my eldest daughter has followed the path and is actively engaged in the airline industry. She is currently expanding her horizons and pushing the glass ceiling for all women in aviation.

~ Submitted by Alyssa Grannum (WAI FLL President) + written by her mother