“Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore.”

–Andre Gide

So on the 22nd of November 2018, after a few months of extensive checks and waiting for clearance to start with BA, I left Liverpool and headed down to London with my little cat Coco to begin the 5 weeks of British Airways training. It was extremely daunting leaving everything i knew, my daughter, my job, staying with strangers and that was before the training had even began in a new industry i had no idea about. From leaving everything that was familiar and an industry i was trained and qualified in to joining such a huge company, it was like starting all over again from the beginning.

Each day, from 4am when i got up for the training until 11pm each night, classes, practicals, exams, study in the evening and literally dreaming about aircrafts. So many times i felt like i wanted to quit and didn’t think i was cut out for it, but then id have a word with myself and remind myself that everything id ever achieved, id started off as a beginner with those as well. Facebook was my saviour during those weeks and made me feel closer to friends and family back home so when i was tired or felt like giving up, i had a lot of support and people rooting for me to carry on even though they will probably never realise how much that helped me through. Although having my little side kick Coco with me in London was probably my greatest strength as she was a feeling of home after each day.

“There is no such thing as a self-made man. You will reach your goals only with the help of others”

-George Shinn

Wings Day

After almost 5 weeks of intense training, early mornings and late nights, on the 22nd Of December 2018, the day finally came to get ‘Wings’. Although i had been in London for all that time, not once did i get the chance to do any sightseeing or even realise it was almost Christmas but this day was like all my Christmas’ had come at once. Getting ‘My Wings’ was literally like being given a key to The World. Even though i was filled with relief and it felt like i could finally breath again now that those training weeks were over, to obtain my wings and the fact that i had been successful was like receiving the ultimate Christmas gifts you couldn’t ever put a price on.

Finally getting My Wings

Pam, a friend i made for life

Little Coco ready for her trip to London