Applying

[glider12000]

Sorry if this has been asked before but a brief search hasn`t revealed much for what i am looking for.

I`m currently on a gap year from University doing aviation technology with pilot studies at Leeds. On my gap year I am doing the NCFE - Cabin Crew Studies level 2. I have applied to AEU and have the VS application form which has just arrived.

Being partly through this degree are airlines likely to be worried as i may return to university (this I haven`t decide yet) or that my degree is set up for pilot training.

Although becoming a pilot is my overall main ambition I would very much like to be a cabin crew member.

I`d just like to recieve some advice from you, the people that are there and are doing it.

Is the fact i`m doing the NCFE course a bonus in the eyes of an airline or will it not give me any real advantage over any other candidate?

Thank you for any advice you can provide.

[striparella]

If you get a VS interview, whatever you do, do not tell them you're giving up uni or any kind of education for this job.

You seal your fate there and then!

And as for your qualification, i don't think it gives you any particular advantage as every airline knows what they are looking for. They want to see your personality more than your certificates.

But keep doing it!

[jennihopkins]

what does VS stand for? sorry if I'm being thick!

I am worried that airlines may be put off by the fact that I will have a degree by the time I want to start work as cabin crew. Do many people who have jobs as cabin crew also have a degree. some people have warned me that they may think i won't be challenged enough, and they will fear i will leave so therefore wont employ me. :confused:

[ozskipper]

VS is the code for Virgin Atlantic; like BA is for British Airways.

I wouldn't necessarily tell the recruiters your ultimate aim is to be a pilot. I ended up in Cabin Crew by chance rather than design even though I have my pilot licence & a dual degree. Wouldn't move to the other side of the flight deck door, even if you made me a Captain tomorrow. No disrepect to techies, but I love my job and I get my technical fix by sitting up in the flight deck and flying on my time off.

[jennihopkins]

oh rite, i would have thought virgin code was VA! lol!!

[6chimes]

Hi, good luck with the degree.

To answer your question lots of crew at bmi have degrees, it used to be quite good to have, as the airline used to be aimed at the business end of the market and it was considered that someone with a degree could probably relate to their pax better. (not always the case mind you!)

I work with a lot of crew who are in your situation. But like someone said earlier its not really necessary to bring it up at interview or that you are not staying long. Just go and have a crack at it.

6

[ricciricardo]

I guess they missed out on the code!! Do a search on airline codes and find out who got it.
In my day an open smile and a good attitude was all that was needed for the position of cabin crew, your future ambitions and current qualifications were interesting to hear about but didn't necessarily matter, it wasn't like a career then it was more a lifestyle choice.
As a gap year I'd go for casual or fixed contract employment.
Cheers

[MissApproach]

If you are considering VA all that matters to them is your personality! Which is good I think. The key at Virgin is 'stable extravert' and they have their way of finding those people. Good Luck in whatever you do!

[striparella]

Yeah loads of people in the airline industry have got degrees - it wont give you less of a chance, but in the same way i don't think it'll give you a better chance.

I wish it went on qualififcations but unfortunately they want to see your personality! It's far harder to get a job based on that i reckon!

Just keep smiling!

[varga girl]

Loads of crew at Virgin have degrees including me. Always shocks passengers who think you can't have a brain to do our job!!

[glider12000]

thanks for all of the advice!

I am a little shy but working on that!

i have experience and qualifications of customer service and languages so hopefully with my personality to i hpoe that i can fulfil a requirement for at least one airline!