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Never in my wildest dreams have I experienced so many wonderful memories and so much love.
My tech son Yoniel and I, created this website and Facebook page for everybody who wants to share their memories and love they had for the amazing company AirTran Airways. We are also providing transportation, with the help of Kathryn Mcrae, for those who want to join on Dec.28 2014 to the farewell AirTran Bus trip from Mco to Tpa and back.
My name is Yolanda Castro, and I am your host. I was hired in Nov.18 1995, I am the last survivor of my class. I will never forget the day that my fairy God father turned this Cinderella’s 4 jobs into a Flight Attendant one. My fairy God father’s name was Donny Griffin. I was working the graveyard shift when Donny showed up and ask for a cup of coffee. At the time, I held 4 jobs and he saw me working very hard that day, everybody called in sick that day at the current job and I was covering for 3 employees. I just came from finishing my 3rd job, so I was on my last job of the day. Anyone that knows me knows that is possible in Yolanda’s world. As I’m serving him coffee I noticed his wings and asked him “How can I get a job at ComAir?” He smiled at me and he replied “that I don’t know… but I can tell you how you can get a job at AirTran.” I got too busy and couldn’t finish the conversation, but before he left he gave me a $10.00 tip and a business card, I said good bye, placed the card in my apron and kept working.
A month after, I found the card and called the offices of AirTran Airways located at Hazeltine National dr in Orlando, Fl. I asked for Donny Griffin not knowing he was the chief pilot. When I went to his office to get details for my interview, I met Cricket and Linda Atwaters coming out of the office. Shortly after, at my interview I met A.K.A King AirTran Abraham Torres who was part of the hiring team. He then hired me. My trainers who were Alison Mainhart and Micheal Jahnke.
After, my IOE I met Joe Rivera and Stacy Mignatti, she was my supervisor at the time, and became my BFF and flying buddy, and her husband Manny who was a Captain at Airtran. That same week I got into the employee bus to go home and a Delta Pilot asked me who I worked for, I answered him “ AirTran,” he replied “AirTran Who?” As he left the bus he told me “your airline is too small to be noticed” I let it slide, but in my mind I said “you will see Buckaroo”. 3 months later I saw the same pilot wearing an AirTran uniform… hehe, the look on his face when I said “Hi!” That was a Kodak moment, “AirTran Who?” was my reply, after I greeted him. We were a diamond in the rough. We grew from 3 planes when I started to whole fleet.
I have been very blessed with great family and friends, and a Great AirTran Family. AirTran was my own fairytale from the day my Fairy God Father turned this Cinderella’s dream into a reality. I can never mention all of the amazing people and times I had with AirTran if so, this would be a book long. THANK YOU… It’s been an honor and a privilege to be a part of the AirTran family. I thank God for that amazing opportunity, the new horizons, and the blessings opening for us in our new journey with Southwest. Let’s make new memories together!
So I leave you with this…“NEVER FORGET WHERE YOU CAME FROM OR WHO HAS MADE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR LIFE… BECAUSE REMEMBER ALL WE CAN TAKE WITH US IS THE MEMORIES AND THE LOVE… AFTER ALL (YOLO) YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE.”
Thanks for the wonderful memories and love. Let’s keep sharing the love. Looking forward to make new memories with Southwest. GOD SPEED…
YOLANDA CASTRO 0602 AIRTRAN AIRWAYS F/A FOREVER IN MY HEART
Never in my wildest dreams have I experienced so many wonderful memories and so much love.
My tech son Yoniel and I, created this website and Facebook page for everybody who wants to share their memories and love they had for the amazing company AirTran Airways. We are also providing transportation, with the help of Kathryn Mcrae, for those who want to join on Dec.28 2014 to the farewell AirTran Bus trip from Mco to Tpa and back.
My name is Yolanda Castro, and I am your host. I was hired in Nov.18 1995, I am the last survivor of my class. I will never forget the day that my fairy God father turned this Cinderella’s 4 jobs into a Flight Attendant one. My fairy God father’s name was Donny Griffin. I was working the graveyard shift when Donny showed up and ask for a cup of coffee. At the time, I held 4 jobs and he saw me working very hard that day, everybody called in sick that day at the current job and I was covering for 3 employees. I just came from finishing my 3rd job, so I was on my last job of the day. Anyone that knows me knows that is possible in Yolanda’s world. As I’m serving him coffee I noticed his wings and asked him “How can I get a job at ComAir?” He smiled at me and he replied “that I don’t know… but I can tell you how you can get a job at AirTran.” I got too busy and couldn’t finish the conversation, but before he left he gave me a $10.00 tip and a business card, I said good bye, placed the card in my apron and kept working.
A month after, I found the card and called the offices of AirTran Airways located at Hazeltine National dr in Orlando, Fl. I asked for Donny Griffin not knowing he was the chief pilot. When I went to his office to get details for my interview, I met Cricket and Linda Atwaters coming out of the office. Shortly after, at my interview I met A.K.A King AirTran Abraham Torres who was part of the hiring team. He then hired me. My trainers who were Alison Mainhart and Micheal Jahnke.
After, my IOE I met Joe Rivera and Stacy Mignatti, she was my supervisor at the time, and became my BFF and flying buddy, and her husband Manny who was a Captain at Airtran. That same week I got into the employee bus to go home and a Delta Pilot asked me who I worked for, I answered him “ AirTran,” he replied “AirTran Who?” As he left the bus he told me “your airline is too small to be noticed” I let it slide, but in my mind I said “you will see Buckaroo”. 3 months later I saw the same pilot wearing an AirTran uniform… hehe, the look on his face when I said “Hi!” That was a Kodak moment, “AirTran Who?” was my reply, after I greeted him. We were a diamond in the rough. We grew from 3 planes when I started to whole fleet.
I have been very blessed with great family and friends, and a Great AirTran Family. AirTran was my own fairytale from the day my Fairy God Father turned this Cinderella’s dream into a reality. I can never mention all of the amazing people and times I had with AirTran if so, this would be a book long. THANK YOU… It’s been an honor and a privilege to be a part of the AirTran family. I thank God for that amazing opportunity, the new horizons, and the blessings opening for us in our new journey with Southwest. Let’s make new memories together!
So I leave you with this…“NEVER FORGET WHERE YOU CAME FROM OR WHO HAS MADE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR LIFE… BECAUSE REMEMBER ALL WE CAN TAKE WITH US IS THE MEMORIES AND THE LOVE… AFTER ALL (YOLO) YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE.”
Thanks for the wonderful memories and love. Let’s keep sharing the love. Looking forward to make new memories with Southwest. GOD SPEED…
YOLANDA CASTRO 0602 AIRTRAN AIRWAYS F/A FOREVER IN MY HEART
Host
