Airman selected for flight attendant program

  • Published
  • By Holly J. Logan
  • Warner Robins Air Logistics Center Public Affairs
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. (AFPN) --  It is not every day you get to cook dinner for Vice President Dick Cheney and his wife, but that is what Staff Sgt. Melissa Magyari will soon be doing -- and at 30,000 feet, no less.

The 19th Air Refueling Group command section information manager was one of 10 active-duty servicemembers recently selected for the Air Force Flight Attendant program -- in existence since the Air Force's beginning.

The 25-year-old Starke, Fla., native, who joined the Air Force in 1998, said the four-year assignment would allow her to fulfill her dream of seeing the world.

"My only reason for joining the Air Force was to travel," she said. "I just want to see the places I'd never see otherwise. This will give me the opportunity to see places overseas without moving there."

Ronald Magyari said he is proud of his daughter's accomplishment.

"I'm very happy for her," he said. "I was in the Air Force for 22 years, and I didn't quite get the jobs I wanted. I'm excited that Melissa is."

Sergeant Magyari will attend training at Andrews Air Force Base, Md.; Randolph AFB, Texas; Fairchild AFB, Wash.; and flight attendant school in the Atlanta area to learn the fine art of cooking aboard the C-32 and C-40 aircraft.

Along with globe-trotting, Sergeant Magyari will be greeting and serving meals to the vice president and his wife, governors, congressmen and other distinguished visitors.

"Cooking on a plane obviously isn't the same as cooking on a stove in a regular kitchen," she said. "There's a lot less space to work with. The training helps you learn how to cook in that environment."

As a flight attendant, Sergeant Magyari said her face will be the first image of hospitality the travelers see -- and her estimated six-week training will teach her the proper culinary etiquette.

"If the vice president prefers certain foods, we give him a menu to select from, and we shop and cook according to that," she said.

In early spring, Sergeant Magyari will permanently move to Andrews AFB for the assignment, although she said she will not be spending much time there.

"Long work hours are a given with this job," she said. "With next year being a presidential (election) year, I've been told not to expect to be home much at all."

However, Sergeant Mayari said once the plane lands, her job is done and she can enjoy some rest and relaxation.

Col. Raymond J. Rottman, 19th ARG commander, said he recommended Sergeant Magyari for the program because of her strong character and work ethic.

There are currently 200 active duty and 25 Air National Guard flight attendants serving in the Air Force.