MartinCh

not CC, just making things bit straight.
repayment of 9% of gross income over 15k per annum (ie 450 pa if earning 17k). maintenance grant is free money. One could also get loan. That's besides tuition fees, depending on which part of the UK.

Well, why would someone aged 42 want to start FT degree, with all the commitments of family? Not that it doesn't happen, but..

Speaking as SLF, on my flights to/from the US and US domestic, I've seen quite a few CC/FA folks in their 40s or even more. No idea about legacy airlines in the UK/Europe since using locos I only see 20-something girls.

I once applied for CC job/open day, but realised later on I'd rather work on getting to flight deck :-D I wouldn't see myself retiring as CC, though.
All the best with picking fun, reasonably paid and giving satisfaction.

Smileybird1

Mona

I worked for BA. I joined in 1997 on the new contract (although I believe there is a newer contract existing now as well). I had a couple of years at LH LGW and then moved LH LHR. After a couple of years there I went part time.

I had a fab time and saw the world whilst being paid for it. There are so many happy memories of my time there but eventually the good times began to fade and I started hating going to work and I felt I wasn't giving the customers the service they deserved.

I feel lucky that I had the opportunity to work with BA and feel that at the time they were the best company to work for. There are negatives in any company and then there are negatives just simply flying. Missing friends weddings/parties started to annoy me. I asked if I could have leave following my own wedding and was told "No but you can have unpaid leave".

When I got married I knew that I would want to try for a family. My husband also flies and I didn't want both of us flying with kids. It did help knowing that my husband would be there to support us financially if my career in the ambulance service had not worked out, so that helped the decision to leave.

As I said in my previous post, leaving flying was the best thing I could do. Now I only have memories that are happy, I think this is important because flying gave me so much that it didn't deserve to be thought of in the negative way I had become to think of it.


For anyone else interested I was 29 when I left flying.

Smiley
x

bogus1

Hi
I've stopped flying after 14 years, and i'm almost 37. I found a job in the services department of an international school, and must say i'm enjoying the fact that i can still use my people skills but my brain too...
..
Theres so much we learn to do at 37000 ft and its not only about serving tea and coffee. You would be amazed at how much more experience you can bring on a job after flying.

Good luck with your search

crewmeal

After BA ruined everything for Maersk and Duo a few years ago I decided to use my training skills by teaching English as a foreign language. I trained and obtained the basic teaching qualification in 2003, and 6 years later I'm working for the British Council based abroad with my own flat paid for and managing to save 50% of my salary each month towards my retirement.

Although working abroad is not for everyone, working for an airlines for nearly 30 years helped overcome homesickness and made me realise I could settle almost anywhere in the world, because I've experienced the travel life style.

However all that will shortly come to a close as I've decided to return home with my new partner who I hope will keep me in G&Ts for the rest of my days!!

ArthurBorges

TRANSLATION
If you have language skills and enjoy writing or even just crosswords and anagrams, translation is one definite option. For better or worse, the profession is unregulated and you have two advantages: knowledge of a specific field with all the jargon plus contacts who can connect you to clients as well as tell you where to put targeted ads that will reach the right sort of clients. One website is http://www.translatorscafe.com and a second is www.proz.com.The first has a greater concentration of friendly helpful folks while the second is for the mercilessly competitive.

JOURNALISM
Freelance journalism is a second option, especially if you've a flair for photography. Travel magazines are obvious potential clients for your insights into various destinations. Contact magazines and wire services directly -- the latter are always hungry for good feature articles.

TEACHING ENGLISH & OTHER SUBJECTS
A third option is to do an ESL or EFL certificate. The acronyms decipher into English as a Second Language and English as a Second Language. Courses vary in quality and duration, but a good one can be found that will take 90 days. Demand is high across the globe. Although salaries may appear disappointing, they usually enable a nice standard of living. Although education ministries and reputable private employers may require a four year university degree, this is not always the case and China is one exception where people skills, maturity, work experience and ability to adjust to new cultures weigh in as heavily as academic credentials. Some schools advertise with age limits and minimum degrees, but few apply them. They also really like it if you are not looking to save souls through the almighty powers of your favourite imaginary friend.

In my case, I've been with a university in Henan, China for the last four years. The salary equals USD 700/mo.taxfree x 12 months, with free 55 sq.m. flat, utilities, Internet link and one international air ticket per year against 16 x 45-minute teaching hours per week with about 15 weeks paid leave per year. In short, the entire salary is disposable income; breakfast costs USD 0.30 off a street stall or USD 2.00 at KFC -- the street food is also tastier and healthier. In first and second tier cities, expect to find Walmart, Metro, Carrefour and Spar outlets, with Metro having the best selection of European food and beverages.

The kids are also entirely endearing -- lots of culture bumps to laugh about as you get to know each other. The most important rule of thumb is to secure a government school as your primary employer because, if there is any dispute, you can appeal to a specific bureau of the provincial education ministry that will come down hard on the school if you have a case. Private schools tend to be dodgy and should be used only for moonlighting: you have been warned!

One website is Dave's ESL Cafe. Pay no fees to anyone. In China at least, you'll be hired on the strength of a CV (résumé) and a 10-minute telephone interview. You might also be on the lookout there for universities that offer three year degree programmes in tourism studies.

C.V./RESUME
Your CV is important. Beryl1 gives excellent advice about breaking down your job into a list of the detailed skills it involves. The art of a good CV is to be both detailed and brief: it is not an application for a security clearance but very very exactly the piece of cheese in the mousetrap. There is a selection of good templates for CVs on the Microsoft website: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/te...043371033.aspx.

nog84

Hi everyone,


I have noticed from this post that some people may be thinking about leaving flying to start an new career and that Office Concierge may have come up.

I am thinking about working for this company, have an interview this monday but a bit unsure.

Iv been crew for nearly 5 years and think it is time for a change. Does anyone have any info on this company? I know they are offering £22.000 but having to commute into London I dont think this would be enough?

I live in Scotland, have always commuted to London so not much experience with commuting within London as I would have to relocate/

Any advise would be great! Just dont want to make the wrong decision you know.

GlobalGirl

Just to let you know, I saw on aviationjobsearch.com that No 1 Lounges are advertising for staff at their new Gatwick VIP lounge, various positions with salary around £15-18k. Sounds to me like a nice easy position in clean new surroundings so might suit some who have stopped flying? (Just saw that the salary for the cleaner is £14,500, I'm guessing that's pretty fab for a cleaner??)

Has anyone made the transition from cabin crew to working in the offices of an airline? As crewing, sales, catering, HR etc? If this is a good option, should we be looking to study or get new skills whilst we're flying as our 'pension' for when we stop? If so, what courses or training would give the best return for work behind the scenes of an airline?

flying clea

Hi,

I have been flying for 19yrs now for the same company and thought that was me until god knows when. Being in the bubble for this length of time made me sit up and think, realising that something must be out there for me.

Over the past year I've been doing my HNC/SVQ in social care which I must admit is enjoyable although sometimes difficult to fit in during the summer. I have the added bonus of getting paid for this and also getting practical experience.

Once qualified I have been given the opportunity to work sessional in this area and still work in the airline. Maybe even go part time in both which gives me the best of both worlds. Our experience in the airline industry gives us a wealth of experience from all areas and you should put this to good use and just keep plugging away until the right thing comes along. Good luck to you all who have left and made a life outside flying although I'm sure you do miss the job in some way or another.I'm sure I will if I take the big step away from flying


Cheers