Earning some doe - Cabin Crew?
 

There's a lot of talk here on Wannabes about which FTO, modular or integrated, UK or abroad - etc. etc.

Whilst I too have an interest in these issues, a larger one seems to be the large amount of capital required to undertake pilot training.

I've posted a few questions on this board already, so please forgive me for appearing here yet again :)

Since I'll be graduating soon, I need to think about these issues now. I would like your opinions on whether working as cabin crew for a few years, in order to save some money, gain some friends and contacts - and have some experience in the world of aviation - might not be a bad idea.

My main reason for asking is because at this time, I have pretty much b__ all in the way of money. Yes, I'm in credit, but not by a "reasonable" amount (say, £2000+)(still an undergrad....)

Ok, so it's not paid very well, and rumours have it that this sort of job attracts people of different sexual orientations etc. etc.... (honestly couldn't care less); but it might be worth it - if only to earn some reasonable money, have fun, fly and wait this god-awful airline recession out...(ok, so no one knows when it'll end, I realise that).

Emirates seem to be recruiting like crazy at the moment; they offer a minimum 2-year contract with tax-free salary and furnished accommodation. Seems alright to me.

Any opinions?? (I do realise there are better paid jobs in the city, but I'm really not an "office, 9-5" person - I am sure you can all sympathise... ;) )

Yes, there are airport jobs, but cabin crew seems funky to me - at least for a while.

Any thoughts?

Ciao

AJ

Sounds like a good idea if that's what floats your boat.

And it's DOUGH- as in earning bread. :ok:

Live, enjoy. But mostly fly.

Cheerio!

CC

That's a good option - was a steward for a few years before I started flight training, and while it didn't contribute much to my finances, I ended up being mates with a few captains/FOs whose advice was invaluable during training - plus, as they say, it's not (only) what you know, it's who you know... Also, because of crew work patterns, you will end up having days off that you can then use to do your PPL or distance-learning ATPLs etc.

Looked recently at airport jobs myself, but the money is usually well below what you would earn as cabin crew - for instance, a temporary flight dispatcher gets paid hardly more than the minimum wage...

I know a few cabin crew/ex CC, as many train to be pilots and come through the schools I have worked in (and yes, some of the male CC I know are straight!) not only would a young buck be able to get some doe easily ( :O OK, so it's a terrible joke) but the job is great. Pay is not as good as some are expecting on graduation, but is not bad compared to real jobs most graduates start in. You will gain contacts, you will travel and meet interesting people (lots off fun people in aviation).

Good luck!

Hiya AJ

Speaking as someone who was in the position of flying training and biscuit throwing at the same time I would recommend giving it a go in the short term, say for a summer season. It will give you experience of just what the aviation world is like with regard to rosters, standbys, tech delays, angry pax, stop-overs and being done over by management :>.

Be careful not to attach too much importance on making connections that might lead to a flying job. In the airline I used to work for, many CCM's went on to become FO's but in more recent times they have started to focus more on Big School Graduates essentially closing the self improver way in. My curent employer only flys heavy metal so its not even an option.

All in all it could be a very positive experience, I certainly love it and have met loads of great and very helpful and supportive people. But most junior CCM jobs won't pay well at all and in the current climate it might not be as much of a benefit to you as it once was. But like I say it can be a really enjoyable start in the industry.


Just my opinion

Hope it helps
ETR

Thank you very much for your opinions, I appreciate it a lot.

AJ

Cabin crew
 

Hi,

Well i thought of that and here i am, a C4 for one of the UK's leading charter airlines. Unfortunately i have yet to even start any kind of pilot training as to be honest i dont have the money and my folks aint too hot in it either but here's some thing i did learn.

There are a few and i mean a few charter airlines out there that offer sponsorship to INTERNAL applicants only! Where it be you working on the ground, in the air or where ever they want you to stay part of the "family".

Now i didn't know this until i started when i mentioned to a CCDM that i wanted to drive the thing and she told me all about it! The next day i met an FO who spent 2yrs as cabin crew then bam, rhs.

Now i know it dosen't happen everyday and competion is tough as per usual but it would mean more of a chance than the odd BA sponsorship etc that is open to everyone.

One thing she did mention tho, go to an cabin crew interview wanting to be a pilot and you wont get the job! :ooh:

Anyhow, thought i'd add my 2p worth!

Stu :ok:

p.s. I'm not gay, infact seeing a very lovely hostess with the mostest from another airline as competion for the girls aint that much :D
oh yeah, the job aint that bad either!! :)

Hi
I worked for BA Short Haul from April 2000 til December of the same year. I really had a great time but I would say it is all about your attitude. If you go down that route, make the most of it.... And only fun memories will remain.
Just to keep the story short, before working as Cabin Crew, I had worked as Bush Pilot and Ground Crew. After I did it, I went to Fly Single Turbine,Twin Turbine. Twin Piston and finally here I am today, getting Type rated on the 75.
In the past few years, I regret nothing and certainly not having been Cabin Crew...
:cool: :cool:

If you wish to learn more about working as Cabin Crew, why don't you make a post in the Cabin Crew forum? This forum is not the appropriate place for your question. I would move the thread, but I suspect its tone in places would upset many of my mates 'down the back'....

Scroggs