Q: Where did you work prior to Air Canada
A: Prior to Air Canada, I worked for numerous airlines starting with Flying Colours, JMC Airlines, BA, Thomas Cook Airlines, Skyservice, Navtech, Sunwing and Skyregional.
I started as a Flight attendant before progressing into the OCC world, initially as a Crew Scheduler evolving and progressing to the role of Senior Manager of Operations.
Q: How long have you been working in the aviation industry, and what do you enjoy most about it?
A: I was fortunate to have stumbled into the aviation business nearly three decades ago. Initially, as a summer job, but instantly fell in love with the culture, the people and the challenges an airline brings.
Q: What inspired you to pursue a career in aviation.
A: Like most of the non-aviation public, I believed that taking your vacation flight was straightforward; I took it for granted. Joining the aviation family as a Flight Attendant introduced me to the complexities and challenges involved in running an airline; this intrigued me and the varied & diverse opportunities that consist of the aviation industry made me pursue a career within aviation, and I’ve never looked back!
Q: What do you like to do in your free time?
A: My day-to-day free time is taken up by spending time with my dogs, watching football (the original football; soccer), paddle boarding and supporting my local community initiatives.
When the time allows, Pre Pandemic and hopefully Post Pandemic free time is taken up with international travel; I’m a great believer that international travel broadens our horizons and allows us to experience the world through different eyes and expand our perspective.
Q: What advice do you have for those who want to work in aviation?
A: The aviation industry is massive, it makes up 10% of the world’s GDP, and within that, there is a myriad of career opportunities. There is a role in the airline industry to suit everybody’s personality and traits. Taking into account the airline industry is constantly evolving, and being at the forefront of that is critical; for example, SMS was only introduced in 2005 and fully adapted into all airlines from 2008 onwards, now it’s impossible to think of an airline without SMS.
What will Post Pandemic 2022 have in store for the airlines?
We already know that currently, the global perspective of the airline industry is one of a mass polluter and has expectations for the airlines to reduce their carbon footprint; how can we achieve that and change the current public view of the industry?
Will business travel reappear, what does the future hold for traditional airlines, what will the future hold for the new LCC & ULCC???
How will the complete introduction of the new APPR & ATPDR affect the airlines when they come into full effect in 2022?
My advice to anybody wanting to join the aviation/travel industry is whatever role you decide, ensure you have a personal passion for that role; as I’ve mentioned, the industry is constantly evolving and you will need to evolve with it, as the oldtimer once said ‘Find something you love to do, and you’ll never have to work a day in your life.’
