Changing career to cabin crew… is this a crazy idea?

[lifeistooshort2024]

Okay so hear me out…

I currently work in HR and I am pretty unhappy in my job / career path etc. I am also pretty fed up of living in London. I am 30, single, have no dependents and whilst I have good friends, nothing is really keeping me here except my social life.

The other day my mum saw that Emirates were advertising for cabin crew based in Dubai. They are having lots of open days which I am seriously considering attending.

Obviously I am making absolutely no commitment, and I’ve got to actually get through a whole recruitment process etc etc but if I decided to re-train as a cabin crew, would you say it’s a crazy idea?!!

I don’t particularly like flying however I think that’s because I have flown a lot with my mum who has made me like this. If I actually knew what was going on in an aeroplane I think I’d be fine. I would like to think I am good with people especially working in HR for 8 years!

The attraction to the role for me is doing something completely different, travelling the world, living in another country etc.

I have never lived abroad and I want to do something that’s going to be great life experience!

Would be very interested to hear your experiences/thoughts from those who are cabin crew / changed careers to cabin crew etc…..

Look at all the details also consider do you want to live in Dubai? Very expensive so even if pay looks good you may struggle. As to the job, it's not easy but there's perks

I don’t particularly like flying however

Erm........

Seriously though, it is a bloody hard job, long gone are the old legacy airline pay and conditions. While long haul airlines might be a bit better you usually have to cut your teeth on the short haul routes first. That said I would be crap at it as I my front of house demeanour would not respond well to difficult customers.

Go to the open days with all your questions and ask them! I've a friend who quit the civil service to join British Airways and absolutely loves it. Yes, it is hard work but then lots of fulfilling jobs are.

A friend’s sister was senior crew with BA some years ago and loved the job. Wasn’t conducive once family came along so she switched to ground crew. Had great memories, though.

Of course you should attend an open day. Nothing to stop you. You are young with no dependents. Good luck!

Why not just go to the open days and find out more? Ask whatever questions you have and see if you're tempted. At 30, single and a bit fed up, why not? You don't know if you'll even get the job yet, so don't overthink it.

I was all ready to say go for it until you said you don't like flying 😂

Dubai wouldn't appeal to me at all - not sure I'd want to be based there. Utterly devoid of any soul or character.

But the cabin crew sounds fun, a former colleague used to do it until she had kids and then it got too difficult to manage home life around it. She had some amazing stays around the world and really missed it when she had to give it up. You have to like people, and be able to hold your own when dealing with drunks at high altitude. Flying doesn't bring out the best in the vast majority of the general public.

As an ex-crew I say go for it! Also feel free to pm me if you have any questions 😊