Have you ever wondered about the person sitting next to you a plane? Who are they, why are they traveling, and what is their life like? For flight attendant Heather McKeown, by the time the plane has taken off and subsequently landed, she has heard countless stories of these men and women who shoot through the sky with her, and truth be known, she cannot wait for her next flight, for the next series of stories that strike a curious and caring chord in her soul. With the easy rattle of turbulence, many flyers look to their fellow travelers and the flight attendants charged with caring for them, for assurance. Heather has the ability to tune in to any person she meets and she believes most of her peers could develop this innate but often dormant quality. With profound listening skills and total recall, Heather writes down her observations and stories after almost every landing. 

Now, in ABOVE AND BEYOND, Heather presents a compilation of stories that encompass the microcosm of the traveling public—all the blessings, troubles, moods, foibles and insecurities of those who have been put in her flight path. This inspiring, humorous, and empowering book is evidence of how close a flight attendant can get to someone in the space of one airplane ride. Heather passion is meeting new customers and welcoming them to “her” airplane, and she believes that all of those who work in the service industry can benefit from her worldly experience. The relationship between the buyer and seller can evolve into a sacred trust. Heather McKeown, now a grandmother, says, “People tell me everything. Other times I glean information from observation of behaviors, attitudes and other clues. I’m open and most folks are looking for just such an invitation to share their stories or display dispositions to leave an identifying impression on someone they’ll never see as anything but a servant. I love them all unconditionally.” Welcome aboard."