Hi all, Was wondering if anybody could offer a bit of advice. A friend of mine has been flying for 8 years since he was 21 and is pretty much all he has know career wise however he is considering leaving flying altogether (but not necessarily aviation) and he has no idea what he wants to do. Has anyone left flying for another career and if so what did you do, what kind of job do you think is suitable. I know it is all a bit vague and the list is endless but would love to hear from anyone that has been in this position Cheers
Location: Some sunny place with good wine and good sailing
Posts: 249
I know a few ex cabin-crew who are now working as interior crew in the mega-yachting industry in the Med. The skills you learn as cabin crew are very relevant, though you would have to do some specific yachtie safety training. You could try asking for advice on www.yabr.net - it is a sort of PPRuNe for yachties.
Few of my friends have resigned and these are the jobs they are doing now: *owns a recruitment agency *became personal shopper for rich clients *became travel agent *started working for child welfare *opened a thai restaurant
since leaving I've worked as.... Travel Agent (sales advisor, dept manager, asst shop manager, local trainer.....it goes on ) driving instructor police control room operator
I'm planning to leave flying this summer, after 2 1/2 years with my current airline and 4 years total. I'm currently going through the recruitment process for the police service, which seems to be a route which lots of other crew take (or seem to be interested in taking after flying). The way I see it, its a similar-ish kind of lifestyle, ie shifts, dealing with people etc, with the added bonus of better pay, decent pension, better job security, and best of all - not having to smile all the time even when recieving verbal abuse!
This is really really funny! Ive just had a big sit down to weigh this up myself recently, and honestly, it scared me! We are pretty much experts in our field, yet outside of our tiny field, we've got customer service experience and thats about it! Nothing that really matches the money one gets flying!
So I didnt have the guts to leave - Im just going to convert some "wine time" to some study time and get me some sort of qualification!
If you want to keep traveling, make better pay than cabin crew and not have to be at the customer´s beck and call try applying for a government job as a Diplomatic Courier with the State Department. I fly just as much or more than airline crews and, with overtime, earn a six figure salary.
"Trishaturbulence" at least now that you are joining the police force you can kick ass without getting into trouble Good luck with your new career. I always admire people who become police officers. It is a very hard and dedicated job.
I was forced into seeking other employment due to redundancy and I am now a paramedic. The emergency services seem to appreciate our background in dealing with often difficult people from various ethnic backgrounds. I can recommend it to anyone considering an Earth based career.
What about the public service? Pay isn't too bad (here in Oz at least!) & your customer service skills will be looked upon favorably (again here at least!). Add to that usually no night or weekend work required! At my office, quite a few of us have varied backgrounds, engineers, IT people, doctors, lawyers, we even had a former Ansett pilot work with us for a bit when they went bust. He soon left to join QF to fly A330's...
I would advise your friend to look into being a member of household staff. I left flying after just over five years as purser/aviation security. I now work as a house manager for a large private family home in central london doing project management, house maintenance contracts, staff liaison and the odd bit of cleaning and butlering augmenting the household staff when need be. I also do catering orders for the house and supervise catering staff for private parties. There are several domestic agencies that have websites such as greycoat placements, hutchinsons, marshall harber, masseys, staff of distinction, beauchamp bureau. Let you friend know that he should get as much relevant experience as possible working in avaition to progress on the ground. No good being being a dull boy watching tv while drinking g&t.
"we've got customer service experience and thats about it!" says urok, actually that is most of what you need.
I am ex RAF, not done CC but appreciate what you deal with, they are usually the idiots in front of me.
Police, fire service, support roles are all worth looking into, and I don't mean looking after old ladies.
I work for a Local Authority, money is OK (23K after 5 yrs) with homeless. No quals needed just common sense and willingness to learn procedures, which you have as CC. Just avoid SE England, no-one can live there on money going.
First, look at what interests you, or friend, and look to how you can be paid to do that or set up business. As still flying there is time.
Career change is only as hard as you make it, no research = crap time, lots of research = smooth transition(ish).
People skills are in huge demand and I wish your friend, and all in aviation, the best of luck in making change to working on terra firma.
If you are flying for an airline which has stable financial backgroud (no bankruptcy threat) than it is an idea to become a cabin crew instructor or recruitment team member,so you can work on ground,and you are still in the aviation industry... Sometimes I am also wondering what will I do when I will not be flying... It is the 4th year as cabin crew,previously I worked in the healthcare industy as registered nurse,and before /during my studies at the medical college/ as volunteer paramedic.. So as last chance I might return to healthcare,but I prefer the smell of kerosene :-)
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Good luck with your new career. I always admire people who become police officers. It is a very hard and dedicated job.
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