On the Wings of Love....really guys?
Okay, so no big secret here, I just need to vent a few things about poor Jake Pavelka.
First off, I happen to be an ex-flight attendant who, for four years, worked for the same airline that “Bachelor Jake” worked for. Or maybe still does. I know not. He doesn’t exactly spend too much time flying the airplanes these days, ya know what I mean?
Anyhoo, we have crossed paths from time to time. My first encounter with him was at the airport, and he was surrounded by a bunch of giggling ladies. I do believe this was before he was The Bachelor but he had obviously already been on TV, hence the audience. I was walking to my next flight with my boyfriend, who is a pilot also, and we were all in uniform. Though surrounded by an audience, Jake looked our way and gave us a smile and a head nod, kind of like, “S’up dudes?’ I assumed my boyfriend knew him since I hadn’t seen him before and I kinda have a bad memory anyway. So I asked my boyfriend, “Who was that?” He said, “He’s that guy who was on The Bachelorette, remember? That’s why all those girls were talking to him.” Interesting.
Me: “Do you like, know him?”
BF: “No.”
Me: “Then why did he acknowledge us?”
BF: “Maybe he was just being nice since we were all in uniform. You know, like how bikers give each other ‘the wave’ on the highway to acknowledge each other’s inherent coolness?”
Me: “I guess. He’s a lot shorter than I would have thought! I can’t believe anyone even knew who he was. He’s loving every minute of it, I’m sure. I think he just wanted to look cool for his audience by pretending like he knew us, to remind everyone he’s a real pilot.”
BF: “Probably. I know some guys who’ve flown with him and they say he’s kind of a toolbag.”
Me: “Well he is a Captain.”
BF: “Word.”
According to my sources, he goes by his real name, Jacob, when he’s at work now because he doesn’t want to draw attention to himself. And he makes sure his flight attendants don’t announce his name when addressing the passengers, when they do the crew introductions. Like he’s so big of a celebrity that he has to have an alter ego. If he doesn’t want to draw attention to himself, then why is he on multiple reality shows??
Opinions about his turn portraying pilots on TV vary widely throughout the company. Some think he’s cool and aspire to his level of coolness. Others acknowledge the toolbaggery that transpired on TV and mock him openly. Yet even others have known him for years and think he’s a pretty nice guy. It’s a mixed bag but as with any dysfunctional family, we enjoy mocking each other and most choose to make jokes at his expense.
The last time we ran into each other was once again at work, sometime around the holidays last year, after his turn as The Bachelor. We were in the crew lounge, which is a super secret meeting place for the airline crews to hang out. Actually, it pretty much sucks and consists of a couple of worn out recliners and hideously disgusting microwaves. Oh yeah, living the dream. But, I digress. Anyway, I was having a conversation with a couple of folks when Mr. Bachelor himself walked in. He singled out one of the girls in our group and wished her a happy holiday as we were all chatting. The funny thing is, he was nice and pleasant and kinda normal. He didn’t say anything douchey or try to attract attention to himself but it’s like as a group, no one knew what to say so we all said nothing. hehe His mere presence created a vortex in the room and no matter your opinion of him, we all fell awkwardly silent. You could’ve heard a pin drop in the room when only a few moments ago, we were all having different conversations and chatting away. I felt bad for him at that moment. How do you act like a normal person when other people react that way to you? It would make anyone feel awkward, right? Does that happen wherever he goes now? Even on TV it seems like he tries so hard to be something: nice, cool, funny, attrative, whatever he’s going for, he tries too hard and thus, he comes across as a douche. I truly don’t think he means to.
So this is me saying that hey, he probably is the kind of guy who tries too hard to be cool and comes across as a jerk sometimes even though that’s the opposite of what he’s going for. I feel bad for him sometimes and others I think he has it coming but regardless, he’s so clueless that I do sympathize with him. But mostly I just feel like mocking him.
