BA executive quits job to become Britain's oldest trolley dolly

 

By LUKE SALKELD - More by this author » Last updated at 18:35pm on 31st August 2007 Comments (1)

Patricia Fitzgerald has fulfilled a life-long ambition by becoming an air hostess

 

 

It is almost three decades since Patricia Fitzgerald failed in her bid to become an air hostess, but her determination to succeed was sky high.

And the 58-year-old has finally landed her dream job - becoming Britain's oldest member of a cabin crew.

Despite taking a significant pay cut as an airline executive, she says he is delighted to be in the aisles after she was first turned down for the job at the age of 19.

Instead she worked in administration with British Airways and spent nearly 40 years working her way up through the company ranks to become Airport Systems Executive.

But when she saw a job advert for stewardesses, it sparked what some might describe as some blue sky thinking.

Thanks to new legislation forcing airlines to relax their strict age limits for the job she applied and was successful.

Yesterday the latest addition BA's team of 'trolley dollies' says the change has done her the world of good.

"I would say to anybody of any age out there to go for it," she said.

"It's been so empowering and it is easy to get into a rut in life. To go and do something to challenge yourself is really important.

"It is a dream come true. I am proud to say I am approaching 60 and have just joined a cabin crew."

Mrs Fitzgerald decided to pursue her original dream of becoming a trolley dolly after spotting an advert in BA News, the company's internal staff magazine.

She was able to apply for the job after the new legislation allowed BA to take on cabin staff when they are 62 and work up to 65. The previous limits were 52 and 55.

In the 1960s and 70s the age limit was 30, which was then raised to 55 in the 80s and 90s.

"During the 1950s it was such a glamorous job," she said.

"People did not travel so much and it seemed such a wonderful way to see the world.

"I used to see pictures in National Geographic and just dream that one day I would be able to visit all those countries.

"But every girl wanted to do the job and being turned down, at the age of 19, was such a disappointment.

"I concentrated on my career and worked my way up in other roles with BA.

"I enjoyed that but I have come to the age when in life when it was time to do something I really wanted to do.

"I saw an advert in BA News for cabin crew and I thought 'wow'. My partner said go for it'."

She added: "When I was young cabin crew had to retire when they got married or turned 30. It's quite a change and I applaud it."

Patricia, who has no children and lives with her partner in Egham, Surrey spent six weeks training and qualified in July for the role which attracts a starting salary of around £20,000.

She is now based at Heathrow Airport and has stewarded flights across the globe.

Earlier this week she flew to Moscow and yesterday she was in Australia.

Annie Barber, general manager at BA Eurofleet, said: "We don't deliberately recruit by age, it's by ability and motivation to do the job.

"Having the diverse age range of passengers that we move around the world I think reflecting that in the cabin crew is good news for them.

"Patricia is a great asset to the team and I'm sure she'll make a real difference to thousands of our customers."

Miss Fitzgerald added: "I'm thrilled to be part of this lovely new environment and so proud to wear the uniform.

"It's been an incredible journey and everyone has been so supportive.

"I remember being in awe of the glamorous Pan Am cabin crew I'd watch going through Terminal 3 in the 1970s and had always had a hankering to become cabin crew.

"I couldn't have done it without the support of the people who trained me, the other course members and everyone who's shown me the ropes since I began flying."

righto...:dozey: