Virgin Cabin Crew

[Nancy53]

Im 53 years old, children have flown the nest and finally time for me!

On a whim I applied for a cabin crew position with Virgin. I have been asked to do an online assessment. I'm not sure what to do??

I know cabin crew jobs are not as glamorous as they used to be. However, it does excite me doing a job where every day is different. I love working in customer services and am very good with people.

Having done some research I've seen mixed views. Some are saying the pay is bad, quick turnaround on trips and exhausting.

I'm prepared for hard work but worried at my age it will be too taxing?

I have 4 days to complete the interview process and not sure if I should take the plunge or if this is a silly idea?

Any advice please?

Well you definitely don't get any jobs you don't apply for! Why not carry on with the process and make a final decision once you have more information? It's not like you already work for them and therefore have something to lose if you pull out later in the application process.

Good luck OP.

Just if you are unsuccessful, never consider working for Ryanair.

I was in a hotel in France recently and there were cabin crew at breakfast. Think was some Scandanavian/Nordic airline judging from the language. Anyway, there were about 5 older women, aged from around 50 and a couple looked a lot older (retirement age!)

They looked like they were having such a nice time, chatty, friendly, having a good laugh. I thought what a jolly bunch they looked and how fun it would be to work with them! They certainly seemed full of beans and ready to take on the day.

I’ve been cabin crew for VA for over 25 years now and I still really enjoy it ( although I have been part time for over 19 of them years!)
Back in the late 90’s when I joined the upper age limit was 27 but these days we have plenty of new starters who are in their 50/60’s. It’s wonderful to have such a mix of people, who are have had different life experiences.
On a full time roster you’ll be doing 5 or 6 flights per month.
Typically you’ll fly somewhere on day 1, have that night there and fly home later on day 2 arriving back into Heathrow on day 3 and then have 2 or 3 days off. We do have other trips where you can have 2 or 3 nights away, but the vast majority are what we call night stops, so just the one night.
If you pass the assessment the training course will be 5 weeks long and is in Crawley so if you don’t live nearby you’ll have to sort accommodation somewhere close by which can be costly, but there are lots of people that rent out rooms that works out cheaper than hotels etc.
I think it’s once you have been with the company a year you can apply for part time ( it might be 18 months) and there are a few different contracts (52% or 72% etc)
I genuinely think you should go for it, even if you only flew for a year if you do find it too tiring, you will have seen lots of the world and had some amazing experiences along the way.

Thank you

@goldtrap I think that's what appeals to me! I definitely have empty nest syndrome and am quite lonely.
Years ago, when I was young and single I was supposed to attend an Interview for Emirates. I got too nervous and didn't go. Always regretted it, was definitely a sliding doors moment.

I have been watching alot of tik toks of older cabin crew and they seem to love it. But not sure if it's just a silly dream??

I’ll tell you as a FF I prefer a mix of mature staff and flew BA for years because of that. VA used to put me off. You see a great mix on both now so you go for it!!

I’d say go for it (so long as you’re physically able), I’ve seen plenty of mature cabin crew, particularly BA, which always seems to have a wide range of ages working on board.

Are you striking distance of Heathrow? If not could really eat into your down time and the amount of rest you get.

Good luck.

Go for it OP, sounds exciting!

@GinToBegin I a very near Heathrow. This is another thing I was worried about. Virgin have their training at Gatwick, which is doable but a pain to get to 😬

I say go for it, I knew someone who was BA cabin crew from her 20s until her 50s and she had so many interesting stories of meeting celebrities and going to nice places. Sounds like a really interesting job, albeit not one for me as I have a fear of flying!

Virgin put on a return bus from Heathrow each day that goes to the training centre 👍

Oh you should definitely follow this though OP.

I am the same age and also with DC flown the nest so I really get it.

I would love to have this opportunity.

Please update here as to how it goes, if you decide to go ahead.

Do it!!! So exciting. Sorry I know nothing about it but am a bit jealous just thinking about it.

My friend just started as crew for VA a few months ago aged 50. She does around 6 trips a month and loves it - she has children who are late teens/early 20s and who are fine at home when she is away (she is a single mum).

The only time to make a decision about whether you want a job or not is when it's offered to you!

Oh gosh thank you all so much!

Im going to the shops to get some red lipstick for the online assessment!

Im just a bit nervous about the online interview, but nothing ventured.....

If anyone has done this I would really appreciate some tips 🙏

@PilatesPeach would your friend be able to give me some tips please?

Good luck OP!! Sounds like a great opportunity. They are a lovely airline to work for.