FLT ATTENDANT RPT REGARDING AN MD80 WHICH HAD A BIRD STRIKE ON CLB. THERE WAS A LARGE FLOCK OF SNOW GEESE. THEY WERE FORCED TO RETURN TO DEP ARPT.

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ON CLB; BTWN 3000-5000 FT; I FELT A POWERFUL FORCE/JOLT COMING FROM THE 1L FORWARD DOOR. #3 FLT ATTENDANT WAS SEATED L ON THE JUMP SEAT WITH ME. WE BOTH STAYED IN OUR SEATS. A SILENT TIME PASSED BTWN 1-2 MINS; THEN 4 CHIMES RANG. I PICKED UP RECEIVER AND CAPT ORDERED ME IN THE COCKPIT. IN THE COCKPIT I WAS TOLD BY CAPT THAT WE HIT A LARGE FLOCK OF WHAT SEEMED TO BE SNOW GEESE. HE ASKED ME TO STAND BY FOR FURTHER NOTICE FROM THE GND THAT WE WOULD BE RETURNING TO ORD; BUT HE WAS UNSURE OF ANY PROBS OR DAMAGE TO THE ACFT AT THAT TIME. BECAUSE THE SIT WAS NOT CLR; I RETURNED TO MY CABIN; CALLED ALL FLT ATTENDANTS VIA PHONE IN THE AFT AND EXPLAINED. I ASKED ALL FLT ATTENDANTS TO REVIEW THEIR PLAN EMER AND 30 SECOND REVIEW OF THEIR DOORS; VERY QUIETLY. THEY AND MYSELF MENTALLY PREPARED OURSELVES. OUR CAPT CALLED ME AFTER 10 MINS AND SAID WE WERE IN A HOLDING PATTERN TO BURN FUEL AND WE WERE RETURNING TO ORD. I EXPLAINED TO THE CAPT ABOUT ME HAVING THE FLT ATTENDANTS MENTALLY PREPARE AND REVIEW. HE AND FO APPROVED. CAPT TOLD ME HE WOULD SAY 'EASY VICTOR 3 TIMES.' I WAS PREPARED. LNDG WAS SMOOTH; WE PARKED AT GATE. I OPENED THE DOOR; FLT SVC WAS READY TO ASSIST. WE DEPLANED AND RECEIVED ANOTHER ACFT. WE BOARDED AGAIN; LOST 2 FLT ATTENDANTS WHO WENT ILLEGAL FOR THE REST OF THE TRIP. WE LEFT ORD WITH MINIMUM CREW; WITH A FULL LOAD.