The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror Turns 19!

If you don't know me that well this may seem kind of crazy, but today I am truly excited for the birthday of a Disney attraction.

Long before I was a jewelry designer, and before I was an account manager, copywriter, photographer, bookseller and a barista, I was a bellhop. I've had a lot of jobs over the past 15 years, but having the opportunity to work as an Attractions Hostess at (in my opinion) Walt Disney World's best-themed attraction tops them all.

My first visit in August 1994. Thank goodness I'm too small in this photo for you to see my awful haircut and fanny pack!

It all started back in the summer of 1994 when I rode the Tower of Terror as a guest for the first time. It opened on July 22, 1994, and I visited with my family shortly thereafter in August. While waiting in the atmospheric queue, I was pretty much petrified. I'd always had a deep sense of fear of roller coasters and heights but I was also a huge fan of the original Twilight Zone television series, so I forced myself put my fears aside in order to see the full 13-story attraction. I was not disappointed – the detail that went into building that attraction is absolutely mind blowing. And that stomach-dropping feeling was actually kind of fun after all! My fear quickly turned into an obsession and I rode 13 times (a nice, spooky, round number) during that first visit alone.

That's me paying a visit to Rod Serling and the Tower in 1997.

On subsequent visits, I nerdily made it my mission in life to memorize the entire script of the attraction – from the library to the unload area. I even recited it proudly to my beaming grandfather who was the initial inspiration for my Twilight Zone/Rod Serling fandom. And on a later visit, I placed a tape recorder next to one of the speakers in the queue in order to be able to listen to the 1939 soundtrack after returning home to suburban New Jersey. Yes, I'll admit it...I was completely enthralled with the place.


When the time came to go to college, I set my sights on applying for a Disney College Program internship and eagerly expressed my desire to work at the Tower of Terror to the recruiter. I knew it was a long shot since they have several much less desirable positions to fill in the parks, resorts and back offices (custodial or food service, anyone?). Much to my surprise and amazement, my Disney wish was granted and I was off to become a Tower bellhop in January of 1999! Getting that letter in the mail with my work assignment was one of the happiest moments of my teenage life.

My first day of training!

You know how sometimes your expectations and reality don't align? Well, in this case they actually aligned perfectly. In fact, working at the Tower of Terror was everything I'd thought it would be and more. Getting to learn the inner workings of the attraction itself and spend time behind-the-scenes was literally a dream come true. The bonus I hadn't expected was that I made amazing lifelong friends at the Hollywood Tower Hotel. I stayed a bit beyond my internship and returned the following summer to try my hand at some positions in other parks, but I always returned to pick up shifts at the Tower where it all began. If I could go back to work at the Tower, I would in a heartbeat. The Tower of Terror holds a special place in my heart and always will.

Me & my fellow College Program bellhops, spring semester 1999.

The crew, summer 1999 – post Gay Day event survival pic.

A bellhop outing to Beaches & Cream!

Happy birthday to the greatest attraction on Earth!

How to Interview With JetBlue & Not Land Your Dream Job

Exactly one year ago today, I interviewed to become a member of the newest fleet of JetBlue flight attendants. And while it was a nerve-racking experience, it was also the most fun I've ever had at a job interview.

To give you a little background, I've always loved to fly. I get excited about it—borderline giddy—every single time. It's just totally amazing to me that the technology exists to transport hundreds of people through the air together in a giant metal tube. So, when the 8-6 desk job started feeling claustrophobic, I decided to pursue my passion for people, planes and travel. It seemed like the perfect complement to my part-time Lofted Designs jewelry career. I did some research, chatted with some flight attendants I know and started thinking I'd finally found what I want to be when I grow up!

In October of 2011, JetBlue (one of my favorite airlines for many reasons) posted job openings for in-flight crew. I was ready with my resume and applied immediately (applications are usually only accepted for a few days). As it turned out, I was one of 2,700 candidates to apply during this window. In November, I completed an automated phone interview, and after a few weeks I received a call inviting me to Queens, NY (home of JetBlue's corporate offices) for an all-day face-to-face interview on January 19, 2012.

My plane from BOS to JFK

I arrived in New York the night before, and spent a little extra time lingering in T5 at JFK learning about the history and culture of JetBlue in preparation for the big day. Terminal 5, if you haven't been there, is essentially a JetBlue museum featuring cool exhibits and embodying the airline's brand experience. They even have live concerts there. With musicians you've heard of. I'll put it this way: it's the only airport terminal I've ever wanted to hang out in.

From there, I made my way to Queens, checked into the sketchiest hotel I've ever stayed at in my life and did some last minute prep work. I'd already been preparing for this interview for three months, but when it comes to your dream job you can't really be too prepared. My suit was laid out, my nails were manicured and my hair was cut and freshly styled. I felt confident and ready to look and act the part.

Kiki Ward's Essential Guide – definitely helped me prepare!

The next day, I arrived at JetBlue's offices early for fingerprinting. There were about 40 of us interviewing on the same day...people from all walks of life. All ages, races, backgrounds and geographic locations. One thing tied everyone together—it was the friendliest group of people I've ever met. Honestly, I'd say about 80% of those people could have made amazing flight attendants.

After fingerprinting, we all gathered at large round tables in a conference room where a group of JetBlue representatives introduced themselves and presented information about the company and the job. Following the presentation, we each had the opportunity to introduce ourselves and participate in some ice breaker activities.

Next, we all took turns going into various smaller rooms for jumpseat and reach tests. In one room, we were asked to read safety announcements and answer a variety of questions where it was very clear they weren't listening for content but for vocal quality and speech. Toward the end of the day, we were brought into a room in groups of 3-4 candidates and asked one-on-one questions round-robin style:

1. Give a brief overview of your work history, focusing on customer service experience.
2. Talk about a specific time you were faced with unreasonable demands from a customer and how you handled it.
3. Describe a time you had a conflict with a co-worker and how you resolved it.
4. Talk about a time you worked with a team to solve a problem.
5. Describe a stressful situation you've been faced with and how you handled it.

In between each of these segments, there was a LOT of sitting around and waiting. Following advice I'd read in several places, I made an effort during this "down time" to be as outgoing and cordial as possible by introducing myself to the other candidates sitting nearby, engaging with the JetBlue representatives and learning people's names and remembering them. I felt very confident at this point that I was doing everything right.

The interview wrapped up in the early afternoon and we were told we'd be contacted within a week, either by email if we were not selected or by phone if a background check was required to advance to the next step. About a week later, I received the dreaded email: "The competition for this position was strong. And, while your background and experience are very good, we have made the decision to offer the position to another candidate." 

I am eligible to re-apply now (there is a one year waiting period) but for the time being, my dream is temporarily on hold. My full-time desk job pays the bills and my crafty jewelry business Lofted Designs keeps me happy and creatively stimulated. Someday I hope to be one of the friendly faces in the sky—whether for JetBlue or another airline (Virgin America, I've got my eye on you!).

View from above – I always pick a window seat