Career changes for ex Cabin crew?

[MartinCh]

You can get funding for your fees, plus maintenance grants which don't have to be paid until you start earning GBP17K (fat chance these days) and you can work part time to sustain yourself.

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]

Options

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]

Office Concierge???

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]

VIP Lounges?

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

[hana-86]

hey i am a new user and i have only just read your message, im an ex cabin crew member and i am thinking of making a career move too, i would be interested in having a look at the website you recommended. thank you hana

[easy6826]

I flew for easyjet for nearly seven years, but reluctantly accepted redundancy upon my base closure last year. I had previously worked for a train company, and have now since gone back there in a different role and am loving every minute. there is definately life after flying.

[chipmunkj]

I worked as cabin crew for over 36 years for a major UK airline , retiring last year.
In the 90's when my 3 kids started full time scholl, I re-trained as a swim teacher with the ASA while flying part time (Job Share).
Since retirement last year, i have been a full time student (BA Hons).
Folks love to run cabin crew down, IMHO because they know they would not have the stamina or the innate ability to do the job.
Dont sell yourself short - there is life after flying what ever your age and cabin crew have far more ability than they are ever given credit for !

[Off Stand]

I have been flying for 10 years and looking to change careers. I have been for quite a few interviews for recruitment consultant and having flown as cabin crew is definitely not a minus point. We already have the core skills (such as communication, team work, interpersonal skills, flexibility) that can be adapted into so many different jobs.

[Floaty]

I am 39 and I only have some Open University studies but three languages. Before flying, I worked in an office, then became a sports teacher. In 2003 I started flying. Seven years and 2 airlines later, I left BA with a miserable severance package, but 2 years of staff travel in my pocket.

After a bit of travel and a lot of spending, I decided to put my CV on Totaljobs.com. At the beginning, I was offered rubbish stuff, like 7.50 £ an hour to work 4-5 hour early/late shifts at LHR check-ins for a sub-contractor. I also considered working in London as a receptionist for 17K a year, but the journey was ridiculously expensive and depressing...

Several weeks later, I was approached by a luxury brand of mobile phones, belonging to a massive multinational. I was not seriously interested in anything other than flying at the time, but they were adamant I had the right background in customer service and the languages they were looking for... so I reluctantly said yes. When I started, I thought 'I won't last a week!!'. Fact is, I immediately started earning 30K, compared to my 18K when flying... and that was a biiiiiig jump.

I work long hours, but it is self-inflicted. I picked up a lot of self-drive and motivation from my flying experience, which means I'm constantly challenging myself and others to find new ways of doing things, increasing performance and developing better processes (blah blah blah). Apparently I am an escalation manager, but I never liked the word 'manager', so I just do my best, respect everyone and think outside the box, whilst remembering the dangers of complacency.

For as long as they appreciate me, I stay, otherwise I can always join another airline. I'm happy either way. To my advantage, I now know that there is always something around the corner that I can do. I feel resourceful and skilled, despite my lack of qualifications on paper.

[Jillytots]

Beauty

Hi All,

I've recently finished flying and am just about to start college studying beauty therapy. After all these years of having my nails done etc., I've decided to do it myself.

One of the great things is that all my flying buddies are hopefully going to be my new clients!

It's also amazing what a manicure and pedicure can be swopped for as well!!!

Tots.

ps. I'm 36

[acchaladka]

Mgmt perspective

I kind of got engrossed in this thread for some reason on my day off, so pardon this SLF intrusion.

Chin up! Speaking as someone who hires and fires and also plays SLF to your wagon dragon (tit for tat!), I have to say there are excellent diligent hardworking CC and then there are...louts. You all know what I mean I believe.

The previous poster who ran through the "you have skills, emphasize those" routine regarding applying for work elsewhere, is bang on. I would be very glad to hire some of the (especially multilingual) FA's who I've seen at work who have been professional, on time, have thought in advance about what I might want as a customer, hit their marks at the right time, etc. As an interviewer I'm going to think that you are pretty good at managing personalities in customers (from drunks to grabbers to prima-donnas) and workmates (from demanding to just mean). I could see a lot of qualities to hire.

What I would be looking out for is the mean FAs, the one who have stayed in a job they hate and become meaner and meaner over the years, as well as the ones who can't cope on a routinely bad day - people who really should change jobs in other words.

Accha

PS. I'm 39 in two weeks! [Because everyone else was putting up their age eh? ]

[mooguy]

Glad to re-read these messages!

Gosh you have all given me food for thought-yet again. I was thinking of studying acupuncture, yet recently an old friend of mine with loads of Airline and VIP flying exp got a job at a Handling agency at Schipol which she enjoysno the job of her dreams, but she's happy. I was feeling I had no options....

All these messages-from way back, are great to read again, there's a lot of you out there making sense. I now feel in a better position to make a choice.

Cheers

[wannabecc]

The complete reverse!

I've always wanted to be cabin crew (and still dream about it at 42 ). I've got accounting, administrative, PA and advanced spreadsheet documentation experience (preparing reports for Analysts). You think an airline would want to hire someone like me as Cabin crew, with barely no customer experience at all. I think not (and especially not at 42!!) Ah, but one can dream can they not!!

Back to the topic! The best thing you could do is get some basic Microsoft Office Word, Excel, Powerpoint and Outlook training asap! With your already great customer experience, alongwith these basic office computing skills you could be on your way Some great customer service jobs out there are Client Service Representatives, Bank Tellers in the Finance Industry and of course tons of other jobs in the Hospitality Industry. But I know, having worked at 39,000ft who wants to work on the ground

[gallie girl]

I quit flying in 2003 after 7 years.. I went back nursing which has been good, but I am over it again, and I am sick of paying top dollar for holidays! Thinking of going back flying ;-)

[homesick rae]

I quit 9 years ago and started my consultancy helping companies with training and recruitment - a bit of luck and opportunism took me into the Sales and Leasing and Business development, the latter which I am still doing now. I have had some great experiences and have learnt the hard way in some respect. I am now employed full time doing Business development for Financial Services Change Management company, working on the resourcing side and managing a small team. Couldn't be happier!

Cheers

HR

[DollyM]

Use your flying time

Hi I have read with interest the posts. I myself took the opportunity while flying to study with the OU. I graduated with a BSc (Hons) and in effect got paid to study often on a Caribbean Beach. The OU offer a host of flexible courses that are great for those who work especially fliers. I also obtained a Fitness Qualification at a time when unpaid leave was given. So my advice is enjoy your time flying and if you are not staying forever use the time to pursue something else. My first course for my degree I did out of interest in the subject, it was just something to do while I sat on Stand by an hour from the Airport, (pre mobile phone contact).

When the time came after 13 years of flying I was recruited in to the role of a Health Club Manager. I now run a business with a turnover of over half a million and 4% growth month on month in a recession. My paper qualifications were there but I was appointed because of all the various skills I had acquired during my flying time. It is true being an FA gives you a whole host of skills that you don't realise you are acquiring until you stop and mind map it. There are very few jobs that expose you to so many different skills. HR, First Aid, Problem Solving, Project Managing, Customer service, sales, Working under pressure, Working to deadlines, Thinking on your feet, Dealing with a host of personalities, Building a Team Quickly, influencing skills, working to procedures, organisation skills, prioritising. The list goes on and on!

Don't sell yourself short! Early in my career a disgruntled passenger said to me "You are a glorified waitress in the sky" At the time I had no answer and was upset as in a way he had a point. I would love to meet him now to thank him as it was his caustic comment that spurred me in to action and got me to where I am.

I wish you well and if you have doubts as to where to go next why not speak to a life coach. They have a way of making you think out side the box.

Good Luck!