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[Crew to Follow] – Dan from Confessions of a Trolley Dolly

[Crew to Follow] – Dan from Confessions of a Trolley Dolly

Nothing gives us more pleasure than to spread the work of fellow crew bloggers. This week we will be giving you a tiny peak into the life of the cabin crew & blogger behind our beloved site – Confessions of a Trolley Dolly. Here’s the interview with Dan – the man himself!

Dan as a flight attendant

Tell us about your journey as a flight attendant

My flying career started almost 13 years ago now and I love it. I’ve always adored flying and i’m a bit of an aviation geek and have been ever since I was a child. As a child I traveled a lot and could literally burst with excitement at the airport and on the plane. I literally love everything about it. So one day after working in a rather boring job for a couple of years I saw the advertisement, thought I would apply and the rest, as they say, is history.

Your most favorite and most non-favorite thing as a flight attendant?

My most favourite thing about my job is the people – the people I work with and the people I meet every single day. It’s great getting to meet so many different folks, from all walks of life. My most unfavourite thing as a flight attendant, the people. Seriously passengers can either make, or break our day. People can be so mean to one another and to us flight attendants when we’re just trying to do our job. Be nice! It’s nice to be nice.

About ‘Confessions of a trolly dolly’?

Tell us about the day you got the idea to start the blog?

Well I started Confessions of a Trolley Dolly about 6 years ago now. I wanted to show the world what life is like as a flight attendant. I wanted to show the world that we are not just there to serve tea and coffee, beef or chicken or look fabulous in our designer uniforms. We are there for your SAFETY. This is how I came up with the Angels of the Sky posts, looking at crew members who have faced real adversity doing their jobs and saved the lives of countless people. Also those who have changed the face of the aviation industry such as Ruth Carol Taylor the first black flight attendant in the U.S. or Iris Peterson who worked on the first Boeing 747 and introduced a number of safety and emergency procedures and equipment pieces that are still in use today. I also wanted it to be a place where crew can come and have a laugh and I do this with the articles I post on my website and also thought the pictures and meme’s I share via my social media. Out job can be stressful and hard at times and we all need some humour in our lives. I also wanted it to be a place where we bring back the glamour with the vintage pictures from the jet-set era and our ‘Style in the Aisles’ fashion pages, looking at cabin crew uniforms and fashion. We also offer advice to the travelling public. How to survive a flight, how to get the best seats, how to behave onboard etc. And now we are moving forward with our Angels of the Sky Memorial Day, a day to celebrate us cabin crew, the most important safety feature onboard any aircraft and a day to remember our flying family who went to work one day and never came home, as well as our pioneers who changed the face of our industry. This will be July 24 every year and we just ask that you add a small black ribbon to your uniform, or civvies, or lanyard or crew bag, anywhere really, so that we can show our respects.

What was your first post? How did that make you feel?

I honestly cannot really remember what my first post on social media was, but my first blog post was ‘How to be the Perfect Airline Passenger’. I remember as the views started to rise and the great response I got from people and how it had made them laugh, I felt really proud and really happy.

How has the journey been since then? How has it evolved?

I think I probably explain most of this above really. One of the things I want to do now is set up a global alliance of all the cabin crew related blogs/apps/businesses etc which I have called ‘One Crew Global Alliance’. Basically it will be a place where crew can come to find information on finances, crew discounts, lifestyle, health etc using blogs (like yours) from around the world and these blogs etc working together as one team to make life that little bit easier for our cabin crew followers.

Tell us a bit about the process of how you handle the blog?

It’s a full time job, which is difficult as I already have a full time job as cabin crew. People often thing there is a team of us here at Trolley Dolly Towers, but there isn’t. It’s just little old me, with some help and input from my partner. So it can be rather tough at times. But I want Confessions of a Trolley Dolly to be a success and I will put my heart and soul in to making it so.

What keeps you going?

When my followers (my ‘Dollies’ as I like to call them) pass on compliments about how much they enjoy Confessions of a Trolley Dolly. When I get emails and messages from my dollies telling me to keep up the good work. This makes all the blood, sweat and tears all worthwhile.

How do you manage work-life balance?

I don’t!!! It is difficult. I find it hard to switch off. Confessions of a Trolley Dolly is my baby, it’s a full time job.

How has your life changed since you have started the blog?

I have been REALLY lucky. I have been interviewed by the BBC, ITV, Local radio, German television and even CNN. I have worked with uniform manufacturers on cabin crew clothing. I have been sent loads of free goodies and we all love a freebie! And i’ve got to work with some amazing people, including you guys at World of Crew. It’s just been an incredible journey and rollercoaster and I can’t wait to see what the future holds!

About Dan

What do you like to eat/drink/wear/see/hear?

My favourite tipple is probably a nice red wine and I do love a nice Gin and Tonic. Favourite food would have to be a good British Sunday Roast Dinner with all the trimmings. To wear, well I like to dress smart, I get that from my father. I always try to make sure I look my best. I have quite an individual sense of style. I love to travel. I love to explore. I love discovering new things, people and places.

What excites you the most?

Difficult question. Theres many things to be honest. Spending time at home, in my house, with my partner and our pets. Also spending time with my family and friends. Laughter, endless laughter.

More importantly, what bores you the most?

Reality television. It is the most awful thing I have ever seen and contributes to the dumbing down of society.

What is something that drives you crazy?

Ignorant and rude people. There’s just no need for it. Use your manners. Smile at each other. Say hello to people on the street. Interact with each other instead of being glued to your phones. There’s no interaction these days, people don’t talk any more. It’s sad.

What is something that makes you shriek with joy?

Getting paid! No but seriously i’d have to say travelling to new places and getting to explore the sights, meet the people, try the food. There’s nothing quite like it.

What makes you laugh, what makes you sad?

My friends make me laugh, like stomach hurting laughter when we get together. It’s amazing. A good comedy TV show or film? My partner has a wicked sense of humour and we are always laughing. There’s many things that make me sad but lets not dwell on the negative.

If you were a food product (like pasta, sushi etc.) then what would you be? Why?

Oh this is a tricky one. Erm i’d say i’d probably be and egg. Hard on the outside and soft in the middle.

Who is your soul animal and why?

I’d probably say a cat. I love their I don’t give a damn attitude to life and independent spirit. They’re free to roam wherever and whenever they want.

WOC word

If you have not already checked out Dan’s blog, then check out the awesomeness that his blog is at

Blog: https://confessionsofatrolleydolly.com/

Facebook: confessionsofatrolleydolly

Instagram: confessionsofatrolleydolly

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