Advice Needed
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Advice Needed
(Hope this is in the correct forum)
I have a few questions here which might take a while, please bear with me. I'd really appreciate any advice you might have.
During high school and later on, I had geared my education toward flying as a career. It was the only thing I ever wanted to do. (I am 21.)
Over the last year or so it has become apparent that I will not be able to follow my dream, at least not in this avenue, due to health restrictions. It's taken me a while to come to terms with the fact that I can't fly, but I would dearly love to be in the industry, perhaps doing ground work for an airline or similar.
My problem is that due to abovementioned reason (health), I wouldn't be able to work full time. Would this be acceptable to an airline or charter company? I've got no problem with the late shifts or working public holidays. It's just that I wouldn't be able to handle more than 3 or 4 days a week.
I've already tried working in retail, food service and just recently as a cleaner, and none of these jobs made me happy- though I enjoy dealing with the public. I think I'd really be good at helping customers/passengers (whatever you'd like to call them).
What do you suggest would be a good approach to finding work in this area? I was thinking of starting with smaller charter companies or even Skywest. I know a lot of people are trying to get work with these companies and am not expecting to get in right away. So what can I do to improve my chances?
I only went to Year 11 in school (though I like to think I'm fairly intelligent - I hope that doesn't sound stuck up). I have good literacy and numeracy skills, know my way around a computer, and am used to dealing with people from a variety of backgrounds, ages, social groups etc. The thing that usually gets in my way when it comes to employment is that I don't have any recent "official" office experience. I can type at least 50wpm, answer a phone and fill in paperwork - I just haven't done any of these things recently job-wise.
I am considering doing a First Aid course, as this is usually a requirement; but don't see the necessity of doing a food/beverage certificate as that is more a Cabin Crew thing. Is there any other class or course I could do that would help my prospects, e.g. an office course.
Sorry to be so long-winded, I'd be glad of any comments and advice as I've seen a lot of you have valuable guidance in this kind of situation.
Thanks again!!!
SkySista
I have a few questions here which might take a while, please bear with me. I'd really appreciate any advice you might have.
During high school and later on, I had geared my education toward flying as a career. It was the only thing I ever wanted to do. (I am 21.)
Over the last year or so it has become apparent that I will not be able to follow my dream, at least not in this avenue, due to health restrictions. It's taken me a while to come to terms with the fact that I can't fly, but I would dearly love to be in the industry, perhaps doing ground work for an airline or similar.
My problem is that due to abovementioned reason (health), I wouldn't be able to work full time. Would this be acceptable to an airline or charter company? I've got no problem with the late shifts or working public holidays. It's just that I wouldn't be able to handle more than 3 or 4 days a week.
I've already tried working in retail, food service and just recently as a cleaner, and none of these jobs made me happy- though I enjoy dealing with the public. I think I'd really be good at helping customers/passengers (whatever you'd like to call them).
What do you suggest would be a good approach to finding work in this area? I was thinking of starting with smaller charter companies or even Skywest. I know a lot of people are trying to get work with these companies and am not expecting to get in right away. So what can I do to improve my chances?
I only went to Year 11 in school (though I like to think I'm fairly intelligent - I hope that doesn't sound stuck up). I have good literacy and numeracy skills, know my way around a computer, and am used to dealing with people from a variety of backgrounds, ages, social groups etc. The thing that usually gets in my way when it comes to employment is that I don't have any recent "official" office experience. I can type at least 50wpm, answer a phone and fill in paperwork - I just haven't done any of these things recently job-wise.
I am considering doing a First Aid course, as this is usually a requirement; but don't see the necessity of doing a food/beverage certificate as that is more a Cabin Crew thing. Is there any other class or course I could do that would help my prospects, e.g. an office course.
Sorry to be so long-winded, I'd be glad of any comments and advice as I've seen a lot of you have valuable guidance in this kind of situation.
Thanks again!!!
SkySista
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Do the first aid course as it is another qualification. Perhaps even consider doing a responsible serving of alcohol course and also a heavy vehicle licence too. Qantas (not sure about Virgin) employ plenty of casual and part timers. Try checking out their websites or give their HR departments a call. Good luck.
Maybe investigate opportunities with Jetstar............................
perhaps in the operations department or something like that. If Jetstar are going to be a true LCC, they need to be a bit innovative in their employment policies, and consider that there are lots of useful and progressive thinking people out there.
In the US, Jetblue have been very progressive in that they encourage part-timers, job-sharing and casual work. They reckon that some of the best talent may not be willing or available to work full-time.
perhaps in the operations department or something like that. If Jetstar are going to be a true LCC, they need to be a bit innovative in their employment policies, and consider that there are lots of useful and progressive thinking people out there.
In the US, Jetblue have been very progressive in that they encourage part-timers, job-sharing and casual work. They reckon that some of the best talent may not be willing or available to work full-time.
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Try looking at Virgin Blue`s website for job`s as they use a lot of casual and part time staff.
Check Virgin Blue web site click on the "about us" tab then "jobs@virgin".
Good Luck.
Edited to correct the URL.
W
Check Virgin Blue web site click on the "about us" tab then "jobs@virgin".
Good Luck.
Edited to correct the URL.
W
Last edited by Woomera; 27th Jan 2004 at 14:53.
As some of the above posters have stated your best chance is probalbly with some of the larger organisations as these tend to have the resources to provide for part-time and casual employees. It should be said that most G/A (smaller aircraft) operators including the one that I work for will not have a bar of part time "profeassionals" for anything other than cleaning the toilets etc as that would be considered a wasted resource.
You should keep in mind that Airservices Australia and the Australian Transport Safety Bureau might also be worth speaking to. You could try the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, however I wouldn't as you might simply end up as a para legal with very little positive to contribute toward aviation.
Good luck!
You should keep in mind that Airservices Australia and the Australian Transport Safety Bureau might also be worth speaking to. You could try the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, however I wouldn't as you might simply end up as a para legal with very little positive to contribute toward aviation.
Good luck!
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Thanks...
thanks all for your comments. I definitely think the First Aid course is in, perhaps the beverage one too (as I always say, over-qualified is usually better than under! 
)
I was thinking perhaps that maybe doing some volunteer work would help me out too, as far as the "looking after people" thing goes - or even babysitting or similar. All helps I suppose. Just something that would get me some more "customer service" experience.
I had looked at Jetstar - but relocating to the east coast isn't an option for me at the moment - wish it was - all those lovely lovely jobs they're advertising!
ASA & ATSB sound like good possibilities, I'll give those a shot. And had not even thought of a heavy-vehicle license. Hmm....
Well as I said, thanks again, I'll go give it all some serious thought. And any other ideas feel free to drop my way - just in case there's something I haven't thought of yet...
And if all else fails, I guess I could become a journo....
SkySista
)I was thinking perhaps that maybe doing some volunteer work would help me out too, as far as the "looking after people" thing goes - or even babysitting or similar. All helps I suppose. Just something that would get me some more "customer service" experience.
I had looked at Jetstar - but relocating to the east coast isn't an option for me at the moment - wish it was - all those lovely lovely jobs they're advertising!
ASA & ATSB sound like good possibilities, I'll give those a shot. And had not even thought of a heavy-vehicle license. Hmm....
Well as I said, thanks again, I'll go give it all some serious thought. And any other ideas feel free to drop my way - just in case there's something I haven't thought of yet...
And if all else fails, I guess I could become a journo....
SkySista
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One more thing....
If anyone could tell me the name of the company that DJ gets their ground crew/CC from in Perth, I'd be eternally grateful!!!
All I've been getting is "We outsource from other comapnies in these "regional" ports"...
Perth. Regional...? Hmmph!
Sky
All I've been getting is "We outsource from other comapnies in these "regional" ports"...
Perth. Regional...? Hmmph!
Sky
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Skysista,
Aerocare are the ground handlers for virgin and skywest in Perth. They advertised in the west aust. about a month ago. I understand they are quite often looking for staff to hanlde both check in and the bags, give them a call.
Also try some of the smaller operators on the field. Skippers and Network both utilise casual ground staff for check in and bag throwing.
Good luck!
Aerocare are the ground handlers for virgin and skywest in Perth. They advertised in the west aust. about a month ago. I understand they are quite often looking for staff to hanlde both check in and the bags, give them a call.
Also try some of the smaller operators on the field. Skippers and Network both utilise casual ground staff for check in and bag throwing.
Good luck!
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Wow!!
Thanks for the quick response, Checkerboard , great stuff!!!
Will see what I can dig up on that front!!!
Thanks all! I'm feeling much more positive about this today!!!!
Sky (feeling very enthusiastic and raring to go on job-hunt! )
Will see what I can dig up on that front!!!
Thanks all! I'm feeling much more positive about this today!!!!
Sky (feeling very enthusiastic and raring to go on job-hunt!
)
