Thomas Cook...coming from a slightly different angle
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Thomas Cook...coming from a slightly different angle
Hello to you all,
Today I was very pleased to be invited for an interview as cabin crew for Thomas Cook airlines. The different angle that I mention is that I am trained as a pilot and as such, have based all my interview thoughts and ideas from that perspective.
As most of you will know, who are already in the industry, the chances of me finding a seat up front, atleast for a couple of years, are slim to say the least. I would really appreciate any advice that you may be able to give me on interview technique and what to expect.
I also appreciate that many will think that I am just going for what I may see as second best. Truth be told, I would jump at a seconds notice if I got the chance to be up front, but any thoughts on how I should approach this dilema save for assuring interviewers that ultimately it is the love of being airborne, not where I sit which drives me.
I really don't want to have burnt my boats just because I am a qualified pilot. I am very aware that at my age (33), in this climate, a career as a pilot may never happen. If this is the case, then a career as cabin crew would certainly be my goal.
Finally, do you know of any cabin crew in the same position as me. Thanking you in advance for your thoughts.
Harves
Today I was very pleased to be invited for an interview as cabin crew for Thomas Cook airlines. The different angle that I mention is that I am trained as a pilot and as such, have based all my interview thoughts and ideas from that perspective.
As most of you will know, who are already in the industry, the chances of me finding a seat up front, atleast for a couple of years, are slim to say the least. I would really appreciate any advice that you may be able to give me on interview technique and what to expect.
I also appreciate that many will think that I am just going for what I may see as second best. Truth be told, I would jump at a seconds notice if I got the chance to be up front, but any thoughts on how I should approach this dilema save for assuring interviewers that ultimately it is the love of being airborne, not where I sit which drives me.
I really don't want to have burnt my boats just because I am a qualified pilot. I am very aware that at my age (33), in this climate, a career as a pilot may never happen. If this is the case, then a career as cabin crew would certainly be my goal.
Finally, do you know of any cabin crew in the same position as me. Thanking you in advance for your thoughts.
Harves
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Harves,
I'm FD not CC, but getting on the inside may be a good idea. TCX has just taken on two guys from ops who have got f/atpl's.
Having said that, youll still need a few more hours than 200 or theyll just say go see CTC.
There are few others groundstaff / cabin crew at gatwick alone who are either qualified or training for atpl, and a couple of ppl's.
Good luck.
I'm FD not CC, but getting on the inside may be a good idea. TCX has just taken on two guys from ops who have got f/atpl's.
Having said that, youll still need a few more hours than 200 or theyll just say go see CTC.
There are few others groundstaff / cabin crew at gatwick alone who are either qualified or training for atpl, and a couple of ppl's.
Good luck.
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Thank's for that expedite, nice to know that I won't be alone plus the fact that they're not shy to employ a Wannabe pilot.
May be bringing you coffee soon...here's hoping anyway.
May be bringing you coffee soon...here's hoping anyway.
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But you would be well to do if in the meantime you could get a right seat job with a small commuter, pax or cargo, to get more flying time, as hours spent as a flying waiter don't count.
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Cheers GlueBall and jmccrew...really appreciate your comments and they certainly give me hope for the future, but right at the moment I hope that my potential future colleagues in cabin crew can give me some advice on how to prepare for cabin crew interviews and indeed cabin crew life as I suspect this will be a reasonably long term achievement for me in the current climate.
Just as a bye the bye..glueball, I am trying o so hard as are my friends and colleagues, if we could we would I promise you that...being in reference to cargo etc..
Anyway happy flying to those that are lucky enough to be up there in whatever capacity.
Harves
Just as a bye the bye..glueball, I am trying o so hard as are my friends and colleagues, if we could we would I promise you that...being in reference to cargo etc..
Anyway happy flying to those that are lucky enough to be up there in whatever capacity.
Harves
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What a CRM dream you must be GlueBall. And a polite person! Calling Flight Attendants "fliyng waiters" means you don't understand their job and surely are one of those nice people who end up having dinner alone on layovers.
And if it was a poor attempt at humour, well it's not funny.
I'm glad you're on the other side of the Atlantic...
And if it was a poor attempt at humour, well it's not funny.
I'm glad you're on the other side of the Atlantic...
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I took Glueball's comments as tongue-in-cheek, Captcat. Because that is indeed the attitude many less experienced pilots/pilot administrators have to cabin crew. (Once they've been around for a bit and grown up some, they realise how wrong it is!)
I was cabin crew for nearly four years. I now have a frozen ATPL, but am trying hard to get a C/C job because, like Harves, I realise how scanty the openings are for people like us. (Plus side, I'm female. Down side, I'm older than 33!) Attitudes from C/C recruiters vary from "Why not? Go for it!" to "You just want to mess about on aircraft while you try to get a pilot's job."
The latter dominate. The fact that I would do the job to the very best of my ability -- and have plenty of experience in what's involved -- is irrelevant. Pilot wannabes (those who have licences) are mostly regarded with suspicion or even hostility.
But I've PM'd you with more info, Harves. Meantime, Good Luck.
I was cabin crew for nearly four years. I now have a frozen ATPL, but am trying hard to get a C/C job because, like Harves, I realise how scanty the openings are for people like us. (Plus side, I'm female. Down side, I'm older than 33!) Attitudes from C/C recruiters vary from "Why not? Go for it!" to "You just want to mess about on aircraft while you try to get a pilot's job."
The latter dominate. The fact that I would do the job to the very best of my ability -- and have plenty of experience in what's involved -- is irrelevant. Pilot wannabes (those who have licences) are mostly regarded with suspicion or even hostility.
But I've PM'd you with more info, Harves. Meantime, Good Luck.
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Certainly don't want to put the cat amongst the pigeons here, just looking for advice from people with more experience than myself.
I know that even through training these days as a pilot, there is a degree of loose euphonysms and stereotyping, but I genuninely believe that it is all tongue in cheek, and I know it goes both ways. Certainly at my age having spent 8 years in the catering industry on the ground, I know I respect the job cabin crew do.
Likewise I believe that Glueball was certainly talking in that vein and meant no offence. For me at the moment all advice and encouragement is well received and he/she was talking from their experience.
On that very point, my interview with T.C is on Saturday, so any advice all the more welcome as the clock ticks down.
Thank's in advance.
Harves
I know that even through training these days as a pilot, there is a degree of loose euphonysms and stereotyping, but I genuninely believe that it is all tongue in cheek, and I know it goes both ways. Certainly at my age having spent 8 years in the catering industry on the ground, I know I respect the job cabin crew do.
Likewise I believe that Glueball was certainly talking in that vein and meant no offence. For me at the moment all advice and encouragement is well received and he/she was talking from their experience.
On that very point, my interview with T.C is on Saturday, so any advice all the more welcome as the clock ticks down.
Thank's in advance.
Harves
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Harves
Is your interview the first stage or second? I was successful at the first stage and go today at 2pm for my second interview.
The first stage took place at a beautiful hotel in Essex. We assembled in the main coffee area then went into the main room for a large group presentation. We were assured that there would be no maths tests, no grammar tests, no general knowledge quizzes. They wanted to just "chat". First off, we went to a desk and had our passports and details checked. Then we went into small groups of 4, 1 interviewer and three of us hopefuls. We chatted about ourselves for about 5 minutes each in turn. Then we broke off into the large group again. This time they showed a very detailed video on the "life as cabin crew".
After this we went into 2 large groups of about 15. Each group sat in a circle. In the middle were pieces of paper on the floor with certain items, like a dog, torch, first aid kit, radio, etc. We had to group discuss what we would throw out of our dinghy in turn as the dinghy sank after a crash landing. The interviewers sat in the corner of room taking notes. After 15 minutes that was it. We all filed out and home.
After about 4 days I got a letter saying I had got through the first stage.
So Harves, that's about all I can give you as to information. Thomas Cook are just one of many interviews I am going for. I have flown over to the UK from the USA and whilst here I have lined up Thomsonfly, Thomas Cook, EasyJet, and Britannia interviews, so I hope one will pay off. Good luck Harves.
The first stage took place at a beautiful hotel in Essex. We assembled in the main coffee area then went into the main room for a large group presentation. We were assured that there would be no maths tests, no grammar tests, no general knowledge quizzes. They wanted to just "chat". First off, we went to a desk and had our passports and details checked. Then we went into small groups of 4, 1 interviewer and three of us hopefuls. We chatted about ourselves for about 5 minutes each in turn. Then we broke off into the large group again. This time they showed a very detailed video on the "life as cabin crew".
After this we went into 2 large groups of about 15. Each group sat in a circle. In the middle were pieces of paper on the floor with certain items, like a dog, torch, first aid kit, radio, etc. We had to group discuss what we would throw out of our dinghy in turn as the dinghy sank after a crash landing. The interviewers sat in the corner of room taking notes. After 15 minutes that was it. We all filed out and home.
After about 4 days I got a letter saying I had got through the first stage.
So Harves, that's about all I can give you as to information. Thomas Cook are just one of many interviews I am going for. I have flown over to the UK from the USA and whilst here I have lined up Thomsonfly, Thomas Cook, EasyJet, and Britannia interviews, so I hope one will pay off. Good luck Harves.
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Harves...
Congrats dude...!!
Whatever you do to pursue your flying dreams requires determination and a mind focused on your goals.
Being a F/a it's a very respectfull job and your main task is pax safety....you're the only ones to help them when the "heat is on"...
Happy landings and think to time build ......perhaps in the US.
Aviation resources there are simple, functional,practical.....
Good experience......You'll enjoy it !
Congrats dude...!!
Whatever you do to pursue your flying dreams requires determination and a mind focused on your goals.
Being a F/a it's a very respectfull job and your main task is pax safety....you're the only ones to help them when the "heat is on"...
Happy landings and think to time build ......perhaps in the US.
Aviation resources there are simple, functional,practical.....
Good experience......You'll enjoy it !
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First stage Teachin, so your advice is invaluable, thank you.
Appreciate your comments 2FLYEU andl likewise, happy landings.
Thank you everyone for your comments.
HARVES
Appreciate your comments 2FLYEU andl likewise, happy landings.
Thank you everyone for your comments.
HARVES
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Harves
Just got back from the second interview. It is a 1 to 1, with just me and another. The usual questions. No trick questions or anything unexpected. Very pleasant afternoon with them. Very civilised. Before going in they take from you a reference form which you do before going to them, it must go back 5 years, showing all your employment details, any gaps of breaks, claims at job centres etc and must be accurate. While you are in with the 1 to 1, they go through the references and check if there are any gaps. Will hear within 3 weeks by letter.
