Flying with the Rich and Famous: True Stories from the Flight Attendant who flew with them by Patricia Reid Read Free Book Online

the eye or said thank you. This was the first time I saw an example of real “Hollywood” behavior that most people only hear or read about.
    It wasn’t the last time I had flights like this. I just do my best with the limitations that exist while soaring through the sky in a metal tube.
    JACK NICHOLSON
    One of my all-time favorite passengers was Jack Nicholson. He’s always been a diehard Los Angeles Lakers fan and would often fly back and forth from Los Angeles to New York on Regent Air to follow them. His courtside antics were always newsworthy. People love Jack. Everybody was enthralledwith him, everyone wanted to meet him, sit next to him, chat with him, anything with him. Jack has been a popular movie star for decades, but at this time his ride to stardom was just beginning, having won one of his Oscars for his crazy portrayal of McMurphy in
One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest
.
    He became a familiar and friendly face, and one I always looked forward to seeing. He was an extraordinary guy with a grin that could light up a room. What I remember most is his signature Ray-Ban sunglasses. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him without them. When I first met him, he had chartreuse-colored Ray-Bans that matched his chartreuse-colored socks. I don’t know if he matched his Ray-Bans to the socks or his socks to the Ray-Bans. Either way, it was cool and only something that Jack Nicholson could pull off.
    His voice is sexy and soothing, and, well, comforting—like a long-proven friend or a valued mentor. Whatever he says seems monumental because Jack Nicholson has that voice. Everyflight attendant wanted to wait on him or hang with him or just be around him. I will never forget his words or his wisdom—or his flirtation.
    Jack radiates immense self-confidence, a laid-back enthusiasm and sexual energy. Adding to his singular good looks and amazing attitude was his smile. He was always smiling and in a sexy way that isn’t designed—it’s just the way he is. Not to mention you can tell he does not give a crap what anyone thinks. He’s the most authentic person I’ve ever flown with. Let me repeat: he is the most authentic person I’ve ever flown with.
    Everyone told me Jack was a big flirt so you’d think I’d have been prepared. But when he flirted with me, everything people said went out the window. It became personal. Even though Jack often traveled with his nephew, when he flirted with me, it was like we were the only two people on that airplane.
    I remember one particular flight, early on, that especially had my heart racing. When Jack first boarded the aircraft, hehanded me his coat. When I took it to hang in the closet, he thanked me in his sexiest voice while locking in on my eyes for what felt like an eternity. It was a hypnotic stare and one I hated to break. When I brought him his first drink, he touched my arm, and it electrified my entire body. (Or maybe it was the static from the airplane, but I doubt it.) When I went to remove that drink for takeoff, he again thanked me in that sexy voice while his eyes pierced mine—and then he smiled a tiny little grin where his lips curl up just a tad on the sides of his mouth. I felt like he wanted me to be his lunch that day.
    After takeoff, I brought him a fresh cocktail, and he began his little quips. He’d say the funniest one-liners with just a hint of sexual innuendo. Then at some point during this flight he got up to go to the bathroom, and he had to pass me on his way to the rear of the aircraft. The aisle was narrow there so he brushed up against me, and we locked eyes again. He stood there for just a smidgeon longer than needed. He said something, but Ican’t remember what because I was too fixated on not fainting. The repartee playing in my head was annoying. I was almost considering taking this bait—but, was it bait or was it just Jack?
    Let’s just say that Jack Nicholson got some seriously good service on that flight. I offered him anything and