Getting into the industry

[Chris Q]

Hi gents,
Always had a strong passion for aircraft/airlines etc for as long as I can remember, and with my dad working for QF for 36 years, I have always wanted to do something with airlines myself.
Ive been in my current role in insurance/customer service for 4 years and looking to make a change (long story) and wanting to follow my interests into the airline industry. Only thing is I dont know where to start. seek and career one have very minimal jobs showing.

If anyone has any links or info they can PM me with that would be very muchly appreciated. Otherwise any advise please post if you like.

I know there are always jobs with Flight Centre, my wife has been there for 3 years and loves it, and plenty of opportunities however what else could be a good entry into the industry?

Many thanks for reading and sorry if I posted this in the wrong section

Cheers,
Chris Quick

[Mick F]

G'day Chris,
If you don't mind me asking, what age bracket are you around?

Many things you could do. Everything from a Bachelor of Aviation which can lead to jobs in Operations at various airlines, as well as many other area's. Become a pilot, although that's often a long hard road before you get to a point where you can live in a major city and earn good coin.

Plenty of other avenues, did you have anything specific in mind? An area?

Mick

[D Chan]

The good side of working in an airline is that there are so many different positions - it certainly has bits of everything and needs a wide-ranging set of skills. A Bachelor of Aviation can lead to an operational role but it is just one of many limitless paths or avenues people could take if they aspire to work in an airline (especially if we are talking about legacy carriers).

Most management roles in airlines require degrees in marketing, commerce, business, economics, IT, finance, logistics, engineering etc. There are other areas which require more specific experiences e.g. experience in food industries (e.g. Catering), security, environment, freight forwarding, customer handling skills (call centers, front line operational staff e.g. cabin crew, airports / ticketing agents etc.), travel industries (e.g. sales people), human resource, general admin skills e.g. rostering etc. Generally speaking it is very diverse. The most important thing is if you can demonstrate to the employer that you are passionate and have a strong work ethic it makes a real difference.

Of course the downside to being in the industry is that it can be a real roller-coaster ride or in another words very cyclical - when times are good things go well but things get really turbulent during economic recessions e.g. job security. That is why I really admire those who have worked in the industry for 20 or 30 years. These people certainly must have witnessed a lot of changes.

[Chris Q]

Thanks for the reply guys, appreciate it!

Mick - Im 28 and from north Sydney.
With my role at the moment, Im a senior underwriter with a very strong customer service focused company. So I would need to utilise those skills I have to get into the industry, as D Chan said with frontline staff - I guess thats more me?

Although my earlier years I was into landscaping so would still be quite good at manual labour too if there is anything like that, ground handling?

Thanks again guys,
Cheers,
Chris

[Adam P.]

Ground handling can get you a start, I know of at least one who started doing that with an airline then moved into a crewing officer job.

The trick, as with anything, is to get the foot in the door. Do a few years, see what comes up. By the time another job appears 'higher up' the chain you suddenly have that magic 'experience' thing.

I think ground services mobs like Aerocare are always looking for staff - you might want to check their websites.

[Harry G]

A family member is cabin crew with a major airline.

You have many and varied options in aviation from degree utilisation down to manual labour....
My family member "flooded" the airlines, worldwide........ with resumes
The said family member also tried networking, and with Dad in QF for a longtime, it is assumed he may have some contacts that can perhaps give you a boost....
Perservere and keep flooding the airlines with resumes.

ALL the majors are currently looking for staff as the networks are growing and competition is starting over.

[Harry G]

Whilst I think of it....... senior underwriter with an insurer? Say you want a career??

Dont discount and maybe try being a broker with a corporate........... specialising in Aviation. Good career, good money, good job in an area reknown for specialists and not many in it, good travel - particulalry in and around mining sector/SE Asia.

[Jarden S]

Hi Chris,
I am a bit like you and would love to get into the industry. I currently work as a Chef in a Hotel and would like to move into aviation but not work at aircraft catering as you not get up close and personal with the aircraft there. I have applied for flight attendant positions but they seem to mainly hire women. One thing that I wonder is what income I could get it would be less than what I am on and so it would be a hard adjustment with a sizable pay cut. Should I study the Bachelor of Aviation?

[Adam P.]

Should I study the Bachelor of Aviation?


Being a student usually involves a pretty substantial pay cut I would have thought!!

(before you say it - I don't believe a part-time BAv is an option, at UNSW at least)