Member Backgrounds!

[backtrack]

Did your friend go modular by any chance? I have a very good friend, ive known since primary school, at FR who went intergrated at Oxford, the SSTR scheme puts me off though and i would prefer to keep costs down.

I take your point re. USA, i can get a good bundle at my club as and when i need to, though i was considering a share in a C-150.

Im flying C-150's at the moment, not a bad little thing but quite rough in windy weather as you may know. I remember powered stalls being fun though!

If its multiflight then i believe they are doing a good rate for BRS groundschool and the MCC course... I would like to keep costs down so not to restrict my options to big shiny jets.... I will also be past 30 by the time i qualify, assuming i go ahead with it!

No he went integrated at Oxford, worked for six months, applying here there and everywhere. Eventually he was given job and TR on the -800. (which with FR you got to fund yourself, a mear £25,500)... Yeah in terms of crosswind limit i know what you mean, definately i think the 172 is only 4 or 5 kts more, typical of small, light weight and high wing aircraft. You can see this when a dash8 comes into land on a windy day...its all over the place, literally!!

Yeah, Multiflight. Not too familiar with BRS GS, what i have heard seems good so far, cant see there being much in it if you compare it to Oxford, i guess you will pay a little extra for the name as with anything these days. The MCC course seems great value at Multiflight, think they offer a good deal if you join an MCC with a JOC.


Hope you have success anyway, whether you decide to go commercial or not...happy flying!

 

[CL44]

Member Backgrounds. Where to start.

I started work in 1984 (straight from school) into the Import trailer section of a now defunct Company. In 1985 I was offered the chance to move onto the Airfreight Export section (which interested me more than blinkin trailers!!!) and I grabbed the chance with both hands. I moved from this Company in 1988 (brilliant training but bad payers) and joined a smaller Company based on the Airport at BHX. From there I have been with 3 other Companies and excluding a spell off airport for about 5 years have been based in the same office block at BHX.

My Father used to work for BA (here at BHX) and he is the one I blame for getting me into the industry. I have now been working for forwarding agents for the last 26 years and do not intend leaving the industry as there is always something new to learn.

When I started out I was asked when did I think I would know all there was to the industry. This question was from someone who had worked in forwarding for over 35 years. I said within about 5 or so years (being the cocky little sod I was) and he told me that he was still learing even now. I can now realise what he was on about.

My interests are mainly in cargo (obviously) but I enjoy watching any aircraft taking off and landing.

 

[Aviador]

Great insight into your background, thanks for sharing it with us. Is the company you work for close enough to the airport to feel fully involved, do you get chance to see the aircraft?

 

[CL44]

The office I am in now does not overlook the terminal buildings, but we do get to see the flights arriving and departing over the A45. One of my previous offices however did have a very good view of the terminals which came in very handy when the Euro 96 and G8 events happened.

The G8 was especially good when the support flights started coming in. I looked up and saw a behemoth coming in (the first C5) over the A45. As soon as I saw where this was going to park I grabbed my camera and ran to the old terminal building to get some shots.

I also managed to see the Japanese 744 coming in on its practice run a couple of weeks before the actual meeting took place.

My one regret is that I missed AF1 coming in. We had hung around the office as long as possible but had to leave about 30 minutes before it came in. By this stage it was dark so photos would have been a lottery anyway. I did manage to catch Hilary coming in on the VC137 though on the Friday. I also managed to (conveniently) do some invoicing on the Sunday when all the departures took place. The Americans flew by helicopter (via Mildenhall I think) but I managed to catch the other flights departing out.

 

[isleworth]

Member Backgrounds. Where to start.

I started work in 1984 (straight from school) into the Import trailer section of a now defunct Company. In 1985 I was offered the chance to move onto the Airfreight Export section (which interested me more than blinkin trailers!!!) and I grabbed the chance with both hands. I moved from this Company in 1988 (brilliant training but bad payers) and joined a smaller Company based on the Airport at BHX. From there I have been with 3 other Companies and excluding a spell off airport for about 5 years have been based in the same office block at BHX.

My Father used to work for BA (here at BHX) and he is the one I blame for getting me into the industry. I have now been working for forwarding agents for the last 26 years and do not intend leaving the industry as there is always something new to learn.

When I started out I was asked when did I think I would know all there was to the industry. This question was from someone who had worked in forwarding for over 35 years. I said within about 5 or so years (being the cocky little sod I was) and he told me that he was still learing even now. I can now realise what he was on about.

My interests are mainly in cargo (obviously) but I enjoy watching any aircraft taking off and landing.

Interesting stuff, many thanks for sharing it.

Like you I worked in airfreight exports (at LHR) and, again like you, it was something I was interested in outside of work. However I left my last company in the business in 1986 and moved on to other things. In what ways would you say the industry has changed since those days?

 

[garjen]

Being a pilot has always been one of my dreams, unfortunately, due to the sudden turn of events, I have to forego that dream of mine first and works as a writer-editor for an IT Blog. I enjoy what I'm doing though, I'm earning more than enough, I have a good work environment, but still, I want to pursue the dreams I wasn't able to do before.

 

[Aviador]

That mustn't be good to have to give in a lifelong dream because of events beyond your control. At least you've managed to do something that's involved in the industry you love.

 

[Markflyingman]

Sometimes dreams stay dreams and it´s alright to keep dreaming them! Some dreams can still be attained later in life. Find a good balance between these two attitudes and you´ll be alright!

Oh, as for myself, I work as a copywriter, and I have some dreams of my own on the side. Flying a plane is one, I´ve just started with a couple of flight lessons, not that is a dream!

 

[JENNYJET]

I have pondered about adding to this thread but now seems a good time.

Born at the Dudley Road Hospital in Birmingham UK to an Irish Catholic mother and a Military English father. Service in Ulster necessitated upbringing in Belfast before returning to England with a lot of political baggage. Father was a target because he was a servant of the Crown and mother be Catholic Irish. Father now deceased.

Frequent moves meant an unsettling childhood but eventually settled in Harborne and then Quinton where I attended Four Dwellings School.

Best subjects were Geography, Music and Religious Studies.

I was a member of the school orchestra and was seconded to the CBSO Schools division where I was honoured to perform great works of classical music. My instrument was Trumpet and secondary was Timpani.

Leaving school I became a photographer and copy writer in the advertising business before joining a firm of bookmakers. A dispute with SOGAT union resulted in the closure of the business and I then became a vehicular courier with clearances to perform duties involving HM Government. This necessitated occasional air travel.

My recreational travels took me to Kenya, Sri Lanka and Greece and my interest in aviation came from my father as RAF regiment.

Come year 2001 I had a stroke whilst driving out of London on A40 near Oxford. Several weeks in a hospital and was subsequently diagnosed with a Brain tumour and this is my current medical status. Being unemployable, I chose to study for a Law Degree at Birmingham, though remotely and as a mature student, and was awarded the Bachelor of Laws,( LL.B ). I then took a course of study with the Open University concerning Constitutional Law and was awarded a Certificate commensurate with credit obtained elsewhere owing to not being able to sit the examination. I am a member of the Ecclesiastical Law Society.

Those qualifications are academic and not professional as no specific training to practice was undertaken. The cost and inability to speak decided matters. One cannot represent a client in court without a voice.

I do little now because mobility is severely compromised and my mind dictates what I do. The tumour impacts life severely but I remain in good cheer. Mindset is what keeps me going and a healthy interest in the Law.

Keep safe and well everyone, it is a privilege to be a part of the Forum.

As an exit to correct an omission, I hold membership of Manchester United, The Conservative Party, The Ecclesiastical Law Society and most importantly Forums for Airports.

 

[JENNYJET]

Time has come for an update.

My medical status has deteriorated to a point where I have frequent falls and issues with balance. I remain healthy apart from the physical.

I am currently furthering my legal studies with an exchange program with Harvard Law school, a Constitutional Law diploma with a grand title. A facility presented to me via the British Council exchange program. The study is conducted remotely as travel to USA is not possible.

A year of the toughest study of American and British Constitutional Law, my favoured area of study. I have no prospect of legal practice because of age and ill health. My interest is academic only. A successful outcome grants me a Juris Doctorate. No pertinent value than the title alone, and a Harvard appendage.

The qualification is less than an equivalent degree from Oxbridge, between Bachelors and a Masters but unique to American institutions. It does, however Grant me the right to act in the American Courts, without the requirements of the Bar in UK. Any State Bar association with a qualifying examination will permit me to represent a client in court.

If I were younger, and healthier, I could enjoy practice in the courts of either jurisdiction. It is a lousy experience in juvenile school that has dictated life, as a mature student, study has been a life saver.

 

[Poshgirl]

Just discovered this topic by chance, when looking for new posts. Here goes...

Born at Dudley Road Hospital, Birmingham. Lived in Smethwick. Elder and only daughter. Brother four years younger. Mother widowed when I was nearly five. She remarried six years later, moved to Sutton Coldfield where I've lived since. Grammar school educated, O levels. Went to local college to do secretarial course for two years. Got A level equivalent in some RSAs.

Worked for a small Dunlop division, stayed longer than I should (22 years!). Temped for a while after being made redundant. Then got job with an engineering consultancy based in Leeds. Luckily didn't have to move as job was at Defence Infrastructure Organisation HQ ten minutes from home. After internal promotion at Dunlop, worked for a director who had aviation industry experience. We talked about aircraft, including things I probably shouldn't have known. My first boss at the consultancy also an aviation enthusiast. He was into gliding but also part of the family firm restoring and leasing out small aircraft (Piper, that kind of thing). Also had colleague who was ex-RAF. Final boss was Head of Security. Let's say he liked a drama. During this time, company won contract to support Royal Engineers in Afghanistan. Very interesting work!

Failure to find another full-time job led me to these sites. An invitation to write a blog opened so many doors. Meeting new people, if only virtually, including a retired airline captain who has provided a valuable insight into his job. Also have two novels written, not yet published. One has been edited to within an inch of its life! All I'm saying is they're set in an Australian domestic airline. The first follows the life of a young first officer. The second a senior captain. It wasn't easy as they overlap in the storyline. No more spoilers! Must get published....

Interested in aviation (obviously!), cooking, travel. Have been to Paris, Switzerland, Porec (Croatia), Cattolica (Italy), Venice, Malta, Athens, Crete, Corfu, Kefalonia, Ithaka, Aegina, Thassos, Rhodes, Kos, Paphos (Cyprus), Fuerteventura and Barbados.

 

[Aviador]

@JENNYJET @Poshgirl Wow there sure is some girl power in this thread. Mrs Aviador is very impressed.

@Poshgirl we have a thread in the Enthusiast corner you might also be interested in where you can detail all the airports you have flown into along with the airlines and aircraft types you have travelled on.

 

[JENNYJET]

Perhaps we have little outlet, an opportunity to opine without prejudice. A finer forum to be eclipsed.

 

[JENNYJET]

I rarely, if ever, divulge personal information on the internet, I hope it will not be abused. I ask the Management to ensure and confirm the safety and security of this forum. I love, and depend upon Forums4Aieports as my outlet given my medical status.

please do not abuse our trust.


on a medical note, I am informed of the possibility of amputation of part of my right foot.
Blood loss to the appendage. Gangrene appears to have set in.

 

[Scottie Dog]

Jennyjet - as I'm sure you have come to find, this forum is one of, if not, the friendliest ones that I have ever come across.

My thanks to Aviador for all the hard work that he, and the tech team, put into ensuring its smooth running.

 

[Poshgirl]

Thanks Aviador for your comments and Mrs Aviador about girlpower. Will take a look at Enthusiasts Corner if I can find it!

This forum is different to the one I write for. We stick mainly to spotting, although other things come out like shared birthdays and previous jobs. We kept in touch during all lockdowns but it's the same few people who comment on posts despite there being nearly 400 members. The Ask the Pilot blogs proving very successful (a retired airline captain signed up and offered to answer any questions; he's also responsible for "stirring the pot" recently by introducing discussion on the changing face of aviation).

One contributor tried to make life difficult. The site owner offered to "deal with him". I declined, saying I could handle him. Firmly but politely put in his place, he's been friendly since.

I'm not one for disclosing much personal information because of it being in the public domain. Always remember having to abide by terms of Official Secrets Act, although I no longer work for a military contractor. Also, a former boss once shared his wisdom "you have two ears but only one mouth, use it wisely".

 

[JENNYJET]

Official Secrets Act is signed for life, you respect it or else whilst military secrets are a matter of national security and have a higher level of adherence meaning the penalties of a breach are subsequently more severe. Prosecutions under the Official Secrets Act are not uncommon but do occur. Prosecutions of Treason are thankfully rare and as such not in the Public domain due to the sensitivity of the matter being examined, and usually 'in camera' , under the strictest secrecy.

Conviction no longer involves decapitation or burning, merely incarceration for an indeterminate period.

Prime Minister Johnson take note, deceiving the Monarch is unwise and best avoided.

 

[JENNYJET]

Further to my main entry to this thread, I am no longer a member of the Ecclesiastical Law Society, an expulsion for not adhering to the unique nature of the Ecclesiastical structures of the society. Having a liking for ' strict liability ' when examining any violations and not of any religious beliefs, I fell foul of the rules of membership.

The concept and philosophy of Law is insufficient to the society and I was therefore asked to resign.

Ho Hum, such is life.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

It's odd that some people have to 'sign' the Official Secrets Act. It's part of the law of this country and ignorance of the law is no excuse if prosecuted. It's like saying that I didn't know if was against the law to steal because I didn't 'sign' the Theft Act. If someone decides to go in for a bit of spying and is caught it's no good them saying they can't be touched because they didn't 'sign' the Official Secrets Act.

When my wife left college many, many years ago she secured a temporary Christmas job at a Royal Mail sorting office and had to 'sign' the Official Secrets Act for that employment.

 

[JENNYJET]

It is a common requirement with employment or service involving sensitive matters, typically any connection to The Crown generally requires either an enhanced security check if regular contact is likely or the signature upon an extract of the Official Secrets Act if it deemed necessary.

I signed it twice, cannot elaborate because of it being sensitive, however it was made clear I was bound for life not to disclose the nature of my endeavours.