Have you lost enthusiasm for your career, if so why?
No, (nearly 6 years) was out of bed yesterday at 3am, left the house at 4am - not once did I think 'what the hell am I doing' - I was 100% looking forward to going to work. But I would agree, the shine does come off - I get a great deal of time off and I look forward to that too - it's a great balance.
What genuine advice would you give to someone in my position, knowing what you know now about the industry?
I would forget the OAA thing for a while. Sit tight, you are probably still young enough to leave it a good few years - Do what's right for you, not what you think an employer/or what people say are the best - if doing modular a chunk at a time is right then do it. Exactly what I did. There is a very quiet cull ongoing at the moment. What will be left for the low houred Frozen ATPL holder is unknown...
Is the profession different to how you expected?
I've been in the UK industry for nearly 20 years, started Ops/Crewing in my late teens! But i've seen a lot of change. I've also been
very lucky, i've worked for some legendary airlines and in the 6 years flying i've experienced 3 years of turbo-prop, short/medium haul on a B757, long haul on a B767 and back to short/meduim haul on a B733/B738 - not planned, just how things work out!
Would you say you are happy in your career, or given the chance to start again would you take a different route in your career?
Wouldn't change a thing!!!! Lots more still to come...