The Road Warrior issue of American Way landed in AA seat pockets on December 15, 2005. It marked the beginning of what I'd thought would be a flood of phone calls and e-mails from high school friends, former colleagues, and, of course, ex-boyfriends who, seeing my Hollywood-style photographs, would regret the moment we had bid adieu. My 15 days of fame were upon me, and I was ready. (A word of wisdom to the 2006 Road Warrior grand-prize winner, Jaime Vogel, who got my vote this year: When you're a professional packer and travel for a living, not even Match.com can help in the dating department.)


• if you sense a sudden surge in popularity immediately after being named one of the road warriors, stay calm and don't let it go to your head. chances are it's just a plethora of friends vying for that "plus one" status on your all-expenses-paid trip to hawaii for the photo shoot. choose wisely.

• being called the talent does not ­warrant tantrums or unsolicited complaints about the clothes they've picked for you, the amount of hair spray they douse you with, or the bachelor-esque design of your photo shoot. when you're american way's top model, you do what you're told to - on the runway and off. you get up at the crack of dawn if the sun is right for photos. you smile when they say to smile. you chug that margarita when they say to chug (and you'd better chug it quickly, or sherri will order another one and make you try again!).

• after being professionally primped by a stylist, a makeup artist, and a hair guru, do not be surprised if the man next to you in seat 9a doesn't say anything when he flips past your photo in american way. you won't look like you do in real life - which means few people will recognize you.