Don’t Go it Alone…

6 September 2020

So, here it is….my first attempt at putting pen to paper and taking the time to give you an insight to some of my thoughts and opinions, as an airline pilot who has become a victim of the global aviation crisis due to Covid-19.

Firstly, I want to acknowledge that there are so many thousands of us who are in the same predicament, and this article will probably be a bit of cliché, given that I think many pilots are doing just the same.

It can’t be stressed enough how one can become so overwhelmed with all the anxiety that this crisis is bringing down on us all, but I find some comfort in knowing that I am not alone in this. I know that may sound a bit cynical, but consider how much worse it would be for you, had you been made redundant, or furloughed by your airline, and all your close circle friends were still out there doing what they love, and being paid handsomely, whilst  you are stuck without being able to find work?

If you are sitting around, trying to figure out where to next, at this point in time, where aviation, globally has been brought to its knees, and there are virtually no jobs available. You are forced to do some introspection, dig deep, and determine where your other areas of expertise lie, and how you should consider pursuing for the foreseeable future? You need not go at it alone!

I have been extremely fortunate in the past few months, to have had the support of my family and my very close friends, most of whom are all involved in aviation, and each one of us individually have been severely impacted by this lockdown, we have all lost our jobs.

Although it has been an emotional rollercoaster, and this is testing the envelopes of our mental strength and fortitude, the one thing that has brought us together, is our determination to remain positive, no matter how difficult the circumstances. Granted, there are days, when you really hit the bottom, and you start to drift into the cycle of negativity, But what’s been amazing about my circle of people is that when one of us is having a downer day, there is always one of us who is at the other end of the spectrum, who has the energy to pull us back up out of the pit.

We are now 6 months into this lockdown, and for most of us, 6 months without income, yet somehow, we are still here, getting up every day, to face this life with a smile, and that let’s get out there and do this attitude.

I don’t think that I would still be this upbeat or positive if it weren’t for those around me, and without their support. There’s a tremendous number of guys and girls out there that are trying to face this challenge on their own, whether it be by choice or circumstance, I cannot imagine that it’s easy doing it alone.

An airliner cannot be operated by one single person, it takes a team of crew members to get that aircraft airborne and safely to its destination. That crew work together, cohesively solving problems, dealing with issues every flight, because no flight ever goes without some sort of a glitch here and there, without a properly coordinated effort through crew resource management, and communication, when things start to go wrong, it all starts to fall apart and potentially ends up becoming a statistic.

The same applies to the scenario we are faced with right now. Circumstances are difficult and the future is daunting, we are dealing with a very unprecedented situation in our careers,  therefore the need to be involved with a positive, dynamic, like minded team or support structure is the first thing required in order to help you re-center your focus, deal with whatever problems you are struggling with, and to communicate your plans or ideas towards the future.

Teamwork and collaboration are by far the most important pillars of your core support network that is going to aid you in standing strong and coming out of this crisis on top.

I implore those of you, that feel like you have to  deal with the loss of your jobs, and having to reinvent yourselves, to rather do yourself the favor, and get out there with your friends or family, or whomever is willing to team up with you, to tackle the future together.

Remember, there are many groups available out there who offer their services of guidance, counseling, or assistance with things like setting up your resume’s in preparation for job searches in the world outside of aviation. Reach out to these people, if you don’t already have a team of your own! 

I welcome you to get in touch with me, should you need any help, or if you need someone to just listen, I am more than willing to be your soundboard, and to offer any advice that I possibly can, and if I don’t have the right answers, or best advice, MY team is always there to assist as well.

I will end off by quoting this “When you’re feeling frustrated, realize it’s your passion lacking a plan” – Author unknown.

All the best for now, stay positive, stay strong and keep smiling!