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-   -   By the Cabin Crew door? (https://www.pprune.org/interviews-jobs-sponsorship/250841-cabin-crew-door.html)

Send Clowns 28th Feb 2006 14:07

As a ground instructor I was always impressed with the ex cabin crew. All were bright, interesting/interested and worked hard.

jace 28th Feb 2006 14:37

i'm ex cabin crew currently studying my atpl's, the airlines are recruiting now but it's mainly for summer contracts, after your 5 weeks training and the rostas your likely to get i doubt you will have much study time left

Fuel Crossfeed 28th Feb 2006 15:20

You could also try for a job on the ground, in operations crewing or rostering departments within the airlines. I know of several people who have done that and are now flying for the airlines. Ops and crewing work shifts 2 days 2 nights then 4 days off so plenty of time to fly and study. Cabin crew for the charter airlines is mostly seasonal so you end up looking for another job in the winter unless you get kept on, but the office jobs are normally full time.
There are also the handling agents too working in dispatch.
Plenty of options out there.

rocketboots 1st Mar 2006 12:35

DON`T WISH TO POUR WATER ON YOUR FIRE,BUT I HAVE SEVERAL MATES WHO WORK IN THE AIRLINE BUSINESS AS ENGINEERS INCLUDING MY SELF AND THERE AINT NO CHANCE OF US GETTING A JOB EVEN WITH A FROZEN ATPL CPL IR IN THE BAG....And sorry for shouting!.

jace 1st Mar 2006 12:47

sorry to disagree rocketboots, happen to know personally 2 cabin crew, 2 guys from ops and 1 avionics engineeer who are all flying comercially now, so it does happen

lummie37 1st Mar 2006 15:31

Cheers for all your replies-I went for the interview today, so will let the gods decide whether or not to try the cabin crew route.
If it works I'll post something on pprune.

Thanks

VC10 Rib22 1st Mar 2006 17:03

rocketboots,

DON`T WISH TO POUR WATER ON YOUR FIRE,BUT I HAVE SEVERAL MATES WHO WORK IN THE AIRLINE BUSINESS AS ENGINEERS INCLUDING MY SELF AND THERE AINT NO CHANCE OF US GETTING A JOB EVEN WITH A FROZEN ATPL CPL IR IN THE BAG....And sorry for shouting!
On what do you base your assertion that you and your friends are the engineers upon whose success it shall be judged whether or not aircraft engineering be an advantage for recruitment as a pilot?
Are you telling me that a pilot recruitment panel, unable to separate two candidates through aptitude selection, psychological assessment, interview, sim check and can-I-actually-sit-with-this-guy/girl-for-3-hours?, would choose someone who has had a non-aviation career over an aircraft engineer who, having spent many years being trained in aircraft systems, would be an incredibly useful company asset and who has a demonstrable interest in aviation?
Having an aircraft engineering background doesn't entitle you to a seat in the flightdeck - as a background in Ops, ATC, Cabin Crew and Dispatcher equally doesn't - but it is an indisputable advantage in getting it.
Remember, you're only a phone call or letter away from your first break, so keep your chin up.
Regards
VC10 Rib22
:ok:

rocketboots 2nd Mar 2006 09:06

VC10.

Where in my statement did i state that it is a pre-requisite that engineers should automaticaly assume that they are entitled to become pilots above anybody else?.I am merely stating that joining an airline is not a fast track to the pointy end of the aeroplane. The fact of the matter is from my own companys stand point that whatever your position in the airline, you are in the same pecking order as those on the outside. i can only say as i find.Sorry if you feel any other way.

Just a thought though!.Your stuck in deepest darkest wherever with the aircraft gone tech, its the small hours of the morning , pax in terminal, with very little line station cover, and your ddm reads like muddy water. Beside you is a ex licenced aircraft engineer. What you gone a do?. Oh i know go have a beer?.

Engineers design aeroplanes. build them, fix them, so why not fly them.:ok:

VC10 Rib22 2nd Mar 2006 11:48

rocketboots,

Where in my statement did i state that it is a pre-requisite that engineers should automaticaly assume that they are entitled to become pilots above anybody else?.
You didn't, but I never said that you had. When I wrote

Having an aircraft engineering background doesn't entitle you to a seat in the flightdeck - as a background in Ops, ATC, Cabin Crew and Dispatcher equally doesn't - but it is an indisputable advantage in getting it.
I was just expressing my opinion and wasn't referring to you directly. Perhaps the word "anyone" instead of "you" would be more appropriate.
I took from your original post that, because you and your fellow aircraft engineers have not gained employment, you have written off your skills and experience as having any useful advantage towards making a career as a professional pilot, and replied to that effect. My own opinion is that your background in aircraft engineering is most definitely an advantage, and the reason you have not been successful, thus far, is for another of the plethora of criteria that recruitment panels use to chop their vast wannabee list i.e. lack of hours, not enough flying in the last 6 months, history of failure, incorrect spelling in application forms, etc, etc. If I have taken your original post incorrectly, I apologise, and kindly ask that you use more words in future to ensure your point is put across as intended. As for your own company's preference, all I can say is that sometimes being known works for you, other times it can go against you [personality clashes, people perceiving your ability as a pilot on your performance in your current position - I'm sure a good engineer could be a poor pilot, just as a poor engineer could be an accomplished pilot (this is where the selection process comes in), people not wanting to see you progress because of jealousy - it's a sad fact of life]

Just a thought though!.Your stuck in deepest darkest wherever with the aircraft gone tech, its the small hours of the morning , pax in terminal, with very little line station cover, and your ddm reads like muddy water. Beside you is a ex licenced aircraft engineer. What you gone a do?. Oh i know go have a beer?.
We are in agreement here, I believe, in that having a pilot with an aircraft engineering background would be to the advantage of the airline, the pax, the cabin crew (those that want to get home) and the flight crew, should his/her background allow them to be able to rectify any aircraft snags (subject to authorisations and other legal issues), reducing aircraft-on-ground time. It goes without saying that this would be more relevant to the smaller operators where you are expected to be more multifaceted, but even with the larger operators, having an extra pair of useful, experienced hands and an extra person for a quick brain-storming session would be beneficial.

Engineers design aeroplanes. build them, fix them, so why not fly them
Motion passed!
VC10 Rib22
:ok:

rocketboots 2nd Mar 2006 17:25

I notice that you are using VC10 as your user name. I worked on 10`s in a previous life, had to say a bugger of an aircraft to fix :{ but a joy to be in :) . Whats your connection.

VC10 Rib22 2nd Mar 2006 17:59

rocketboots,
I spent 5 great years performing major maintenance on them in Twin Peaks at the wonderful place known as "The shaft of the spear", RAF St. Athan to others or, for our our Welsh friends, RAF Sain Tathan. They were indeed a bugger to fix but that is what made us so talented:D .
VC10 Rib22
:ok:

scroggs 3rd Mar 2006 07:40

Keep to the topic of the thread please.

Scroggs

FougaMagister 3rd Mar 2006 13:37

I would rather recommend working as a Flight Dispatcher; when working as Cabin Crew, you can only make contacts and do networking within your own airline. As a Dispatcher (for a handling agent I mean such as Aviance, Servisair/Globe Ground, Swissport, Coventry Airport Handling etc.), you would be in a position to network with all the airlines you work for - at least that's what I do (and sometimes I remember I have to dispatch them too!).

I did the Cabin Crew thing, both before and after flight training, and it didn't really help. The last time, with a major UK charter airline, even networking from the inside didn't make it any easier; they wouldn't change their requirements (1,500 hrs, jet type rating, etc.)!

Of course, as Cabin Crew, you have the advantage of working with nice hosties... :ok:

jace 3rd Mar 2006 15:38

Hey there not always nice!!

raviolis 3rd Mar 2006 19:54

dispatcher
 
Will you please excuse my daft questions, but

what does a dispatcher do ?
and how do you become one ?

VC10 Rib22 3rd Mar 2006 21:29

raviolis,

They are only daft questions if you haven't tried 'google.co.uk' before asking.

VC10 Rib22
:ok:

charlie1234 28th Mar 2006 17:40

Jobs before and during training
 
Hi there I was just wondering as I am looking into starting my PPL soon, would it be a good idea to get a job with an airline, say as cabin crew etc before you start training so you are familiar with the company. Then once you have qualified would it make it any easier to get a FO position with the comany in question?

Cheers any ideas

crossr 29th Mar 2006 12:28

hey all

Im nearing the end of my PPL training, just waiting for some good weather to do my test! Through the whole of my training ive been working as cabin crew for Virgin. The reason i started there was because i was desperate to become a pilot and at the time i started was not in the position financialy to go to a flight school like Oxford. The next best thing was Cabin Crew!

I feel it is a great job to do while doing pilot training. For instance i can sometimes be rostered anywhere up to 4 days off, great for building hours or doing training. Also for hour building I get alot of trips to LA and Florida, perfect to build a few hours cheaply and quickly. Also you get so much free time while away that its perfect for studying, be it PPL exams or ATPL distance learning. You still though always get time to go and see the places you're visiting and have a few drinks!

Another thing that it gives you is so much motivation to keep going. We all know that training to be a pilot is very expensive and sometimes you wonder where the next load of money will come from. But believe me when you sit on the flight deck for take off and landing, or even just go up and say hello in the cruise, it will drive you to keep going. It certainly makes me want to be a pilot more and more every time i go to work.

Go on, i'd recomend it to anyone wanting to be a pilot, wanting to train the modular way.

Oh yeah, you do also meet loads of contacts!

crossr

ducati1980 29th Mar 2006 14:58

Hi,

A few thoughts on all of the above. I have been Cabin Crew now a Senior for the past 4 years with one charter and 1 low cost carrier. During that time I completed all of my flight training on a part time basis. It took me just under 4 years to achieve my licence however I maintained consistent employment throughout, and it was hard work. I esspecially wouldn't reccommend IR and CPL training only every 3 days in 9. But its the way I chose to do it..

Am I flying as a Pilot yet? No. Will my airline look at me with 200 hrs? No. Why? cause low cost airlines as with most others also operate on a low risk basis and have hours requirements for a reason. However if I was to achieve the relevent experience and go back to work with my airline again would they look favorably on my previous emplyment with them. YES!

Working as Cabin Crew is hard work, long hours, etc.. But its the same hours, early starts, long days as the pilots. Ok we have to put up with the general public, are they all that bad? no, and I thoroughly enjoy my job. Can more contacts be made dispatching? I doubt it. I have met many a flight crew positioning on our aircraft, got contacts for other airlines from current flight crew who have worked for other carriers etc etc...

Many have ranted on about the poor pay of Cabin Crew. I earn more than dispatchers and most ground crew. For those that want a figure the general package for a Junior Cabin Crew works out to the equivelent of about £20k for the bigger airlines. Or £1,200 ish a month take home pay, and thats with a low cost carrier.

If you are looking to work for an airline as cabin crew and would like to be looked at as a Pilot then aim your sights on the airlines which take people with 200hrs f-ATPL. Flybe, Scot, Eastern etc..... Try and get a Cabin Crew job with one of these and I would see no reason you wouldn't be looked at or stand a chance. Ok the pay with these is worse but only 2-3k still more than working for Tesco, or a call centre as many do to keep the pennies coming in.

Finally, as Cabin Crew you will more than anything, be building an experience of working in the industry. Job applications questions asking for examples of team work, leadership etc... can be drawn from aviation related experiences. I certainly will feel more comfortable in the flight deck when I get there as I will have an understanding of whats going on behind the door. Cabin Crew is not for everyone but you do alot worse as long as your commited to getting the most of it.

ciao 16th Apr 2006 23:07

Would cabin crew be a good start to making contacts (merged)

Gosh I hope so...Just completed my ATPL Course (well, mid Jan 06), and as with so many others, looking for a job for the interim period - however long this may be! I'm therefore seriously considering becoming Cabin Crew (keen to remain in the industry).

I've been applying for jobs in my old position (non aviation related), however this has been harder than anticipated. (Don't want to invest in someone that has had time out doing a flight training course - questions have obviously been asked!)

Anyhow, my question therefore is...will this be the same when I apply for Cabin Crew positions? Will the fact that I hold a license hinder my chances of becoming Cabin Crew because ultimately i'm waitng for my first pilot position?

Your thoughts/opinions or advise would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Ciao


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