I Said Goodbye to the Airline Industry.

Just recently, I quit flying. Finally, I have put an end to my so-called dream of being a Flight Attendant / Stewardess / Cabin Crew. I took a step back, went to pursue my calling, my chosen profession, Nursing once again. And here are some of the reasons for my sudden career change:


1. Less Chances for Migration

I didn't know I wanted to settle in another country until I reached "quarter life crisis." After being able to travel to USA and Canada, I have witnessed how seemingly great, peaceful and close to perfect life is abroad. Forget the adjustment period, every foreign land or a new environment has its own. Of course, USA and Canada are just two of the countries to name. There are, however, more "first world" countries to choose from. I am, in fact, eyeing one already.

Having Cabin Crew as my job will take me to places, depending on the airline company I work for. As much as how great the travel benefits are, or how far where layovers would be, I know there's a lesser chance to be able to migrate, unlike other jobs or professions which are in demand abroad, allowing an employee to be able to reside permanently, if committed.

Nursing, however, will allow me to achieve this. Some of my colleagues from my Nursing school back then have already settled abroad, with established career as a Nurse.

2. Career Growth

This job being a Fight Attendant, is one of the jobs in the Philippines in which the salary is more than those of the minimum wage earners. And admittingly, it is the topmost reason why letting go of it is a bit difficult. But there were just days when I wanted to accomplish greater things in life, than be in the aircraft performing cabin duties because it's not that glamorous as you think it is. I felt like I was going nowhere, like I was traveling to different places but stuck in one place. Ironic, I know. And of course, I couldn't imagine what would happen to me when I reach the age of 35 or 40. I won't be able to fly by that time, that's for sure.

There are times when other people ask me if I am a Registered Nurse or if I am a Board passer or a license holder, I would make a joke on how I only use my license as a valid ID when in fact, I do not know how to feel about it whenever they threw these questions at me. So I'll make use of this license this time because as for now, I am determined to stay long in this field. I see a better and secured future.

3. Family and Social Life

Every job has its own demand and most of the jobs would take up much of one's time. But since I got accepted as a Cabin Crew, my life revolved mostly around work and sleep. Working on a duty for around 12 hours for 5 or 6 consecutive days is normal in this type of industry. Unfortunately, I only got to see my family during my days off because my previous workplace is quite far from home. And during those days, I felt so tired that I couldn't even go out, I just wanted to sleep in.

And sometimes, when I would leave home and go to work again, I felt really lonely. It's a very weird feeling of being far away from my loved ones even when I am just traveling to a local destination only. I just lost my daddy three years ago, I don't want to be far away. Family always comes first.

I think, when I begin to work as a Nurse, I will have more time for my family and loved ones, and including the family that I will be having in the near future. Maybe I'll get to travel with them more even when I don't have travel benefits.

4. Risks

A job as a Flight Attendant is a tough and a risky one. All jobs have their own risks, as one of my friends told me. But when you are 30, 000 feet higher, the risks are greater. This is why I recently chose a land- based job instead.


Being a Flight Attendant is a noble job and I never regretted being one. I even dreamed of this for 5 years. I learned a lot. I gained friends. I became more confident and I was able to hone my interpersonal and communication skills but I believe this is the time for me to venture out, to get out of my comfort zone, to embrace change, to pursue my calling. I was constantly running away from my profession for a very long time but now I am up for the challenge.

Note: I don't intend to insult, offend anybody. I am just speaking from own experience and expressing my feelings towards the two jobs that were mentioned. I was once a Ground Attendant and a Cabin Crew and I will forever be proud that once in my life, I was able to achieve that dream, to become a part of this industry which I first loved. Goodbye, Airline Industry.


xoxo,
Katrina