Crew Cuts

Every month, one of our AirTran Airways Crew Members talks to us about a place that is close to their heart.

words by > Nick Burry

JIM MAYER considers himself a “cheerleader.” As AirTran Airways station manager at Los Angeles International Airport, he’s responsible for making sure everything goes smoothly from the moment passengers step through the automatic sliding doors until they settle into their seat on the plane. That requires a huge amount of organization, enthusiasm and leadership skills. Jim calls it cheerleading, but it could also be called good people skills. With a resume that includes 30 years and 13 countries’ worth of experience in foreign diplomatic posts, Jim is perfectly suited for the job. He shares his favorite ways to unwind after a long shift at one of the busiest crossroads in the world.

The Best Things in Life are Free

“In a word, LA is ‘happening,’ ” says Jim. “But one of the nicest things about the city is that there are a lot of free things to do.” Perched on a hilltop in the Santa Monica Mountains, the
J. Paul Getty Museum (www.getty.edu) is—surprisingly—always free. Besides an impressive collection of masterpieces, the Getty offers spectacular views of Los Angeles, majestic modern architecture and continually changing gardens.

Of course, the beaches are free, too. And in a beach city like LA, the strip of sand you claim can be personality-defi ning. Venice Beach is a funky art mecca, while Malibu is popular with surfers. But Jim’s choice is decidedly laidback: “I usually like to go to Chase Park near my home in Marina del Rey to read and check out the boats.”

Highway by the Sea

To take in the city’s best scenery (and escape the crowds that sometimes overwhelm the most popular beaches), Jim suggests heading north on Pacifi c Coast Highway. A half-hour drive along the coast where the hills meet the sea will bring you to a favorite haunt of locals and visitors alike: Neptune’s Net (310-457-3095) in Malibu. This roadside seafood shack just a stone’s throw from the glistening Pacifi c serves up fresh fi sh and shellfi sh. Across the highway, Leo Carrillo State Beach (www.parks.ca.gov) is the ideal place to walk off a bellyful of shrimp.

Grill Mania

When it comes to foreign cuisine, he’s likely to head to LA’s booming Koreatown. “A perfect night for me would be going out with my wife to Tahoe Galbi (213-365-9000) on Wilshire.” The restaurant specializes in Korean barbecue grilled at your table over a live hardwood charcoal fi re. The table-grilling craze is catching fi re in Los Angeles. Hip Japanese chain GyuKaku (www.gyu-kaku.com) has opened a number of locations in LA, where diners can test their own ’cueing skills over community grills.

Family Ties

When the grandkids visit, they’re interested in one thing: Disneyland (www.disneyland.com). “We belong to a private club at Disneyland called Club 33.” Among other privileges, Club 33 members have access to the park 365 days a year. The club membership makes sense for Jim: “I have 21 grandchildren!” No doubt he’s their favorite cheerleader.

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