How Long Is Too Long To Be In A Career Stall?

For one, the Olympics are underway in the midst of this pandemic. Did they consider cancelling? Or was the investment in the infrastructure, employment and from the athletes themselves, too high to walk away?

Even though there are few spectators, masked medal presentations and ‘stay in your bubble’ health restriction orders, they have adjusted to accommodate the limitations and challenges and simply – kept going. Yet for us, our industry stops, stalls and in some cases fails each time we are locked down and borders close. We’ve had 15 months to find a way to live with it. The fact that Qantas has again had to stand down 2,500 staff says we have a way to go.

Let me tell you about an Olympic inspired illuminating moment I had last week. I recalled the comments of one retiring-Olympian, a colossus of an athlete who I have often referred to as having the ‘wingspan of an albatross’ in ensuing coaching banter. He said, “Athletes have an expiry date, we know it going in. It’s too late when the next ‘big thing’ comes racing past you, to think, ‘Wow, my time is done.’ You must always be ready because you never know when that dude will get you.”

You might have heard me spouting on TikTok or Insta: “Focus on what you can do, not on what you can’t” – It’s one of my go-to mindset chants. In fact, my now deceased mother would love to tell anyone within ear shot “If you tell Kirsty she can’t – she will just say – watch me!” Thanks, Mum. Yet I still feel stuck, quietly lamenting my 20-year aviation career as it stops, starts and stalls. No doubt like many of you, that ‘just watch me’ attitude has taken a bit of a beating.

My recollection of the Albatross’ wisdom was a shot in the arm, it led me to deciding to run a webinar all about flying in the US. While I remain committed to supporting our Australian aviation community, waiting for our bubble to rebound will surely keep us trapped in a mindset that focuses on what we cannot do, rather than what we can do. Watching as the government, who are thankfully now in the race, are able to pull up alongside, and finally out-pace the virus is like not seeing that ‘up and comer’ until they are upon you!

We know that skills over 15 months become diluted by a lack of hands-on flying. While we wait, licences and currency lapse and a huge variety of aviation expertise is lost to new industries, some never to return.

If there are opportunities and possibilities out there, now is the time to ponder and plan for them. Not in six months when the rebound starts and we realise that we don’t have all the options we used to. Tiger Air and Virgin’s NZ base are gone, ex-pats have been repatriated from around the region so there are additional candidates for fewer roles.

The US E3 Visa for Australian pilots, for instance, is a two-year commitment, at which time you can reapply or return home. In the span of most aviation careers that is not a long time to ‘have a go’. Sure it means gaining an FAA licence, managing a detailed Visa process and the rigmarole of transitioning, but there are Aussie pilots flying in the US now, as well as undergoing Command Upgrades. The US is ramping up much more quickly than us and their market and growth will outpace us with ease.

The regionals are already seeking EOIs from Aussie pilots, with some formally recruiting now. The three major airlines, Delta, United and American, forecast they need 10,000 by 2030, 1,000 by next summer. When you consider the second tier LCC/cargo operators and regionals, the need for pilots is huge. There is a lot to consider and information to gather.

I’m not good at waiting patiently or being passive and I’ve found this time tricky to navigate. I’ve needed constant reminders, just like my ex-Olympian The Albatross’ reality check. I/we do have options, they might not be what we initially wanted them to be, but they are out there.

Kirsty Ferguson is a business writer and interview coach. Find out more at pinstripesolutions.com.

*The wingspan of an albatross is 2.9-3 metres.
** Average human arm span or reach (sometimes referred to as wingspan) is the physical measurement of the length from one end of an individual’s arms (measured at the fingertips) to the other when raised parallel to the ground at shoulder height at a 90° angle. The arm span measurement is usually very close to the persons height.