The flight attendant used the flu to train as a pilot

(CNN) – When Jordan Milano Hazratti was hired as a flight attendant with the Virgin Atlantic, his dream came true.

“It was all I wanted – I still can’t believe I did it,” she said. On my first flight, I was sitting on the flight deck of the Heathrow, and I will never forget that sunset view, and I was so lucky to be able to do it. And the sailors are amazing people – they were really the people who did the work.

Hazratti, a former Jet 2 flight attendant in her native Manchester, has moved to London’s Heathrow Airport to pursue her dream job.

But it should not have happened – eight months later, the crisis in the aviation sector was one of many.

Many looked at the troubled industry and walked away. But Hazratti used the plague as an opportunity to always make a toy for the job she really wanted – a pilot.

The way to heaven

Hazratti can’t remember a moment when she decides she wants to fly. In fact, she began her career by doing something completely different – she was a dancer playing music.

“I had many ideas. “Something’s not right,” she said. But I never wanted to accept it for fear of the cost. Learning to fly is very expensive – and for those who do not come from a rich background.

A.D. Two things happened in 2017: The change in her personal life gave her the opportunity to jump on the bandwagon and her parents bought her a flying lesson for her birthday – “They knew how much I loved airplanes,” he says.

And that was it. “When we got off the highway and from there, I was addicted. It only took ten seconds – the teacher said I would manage the descent, I rolled on the highway I was so scared, but I did it, I breathed – and it became addictive.

We were looking down at the M6 ​​Highway, where I was going to the university, where I was driving every day. I thought, this is the view I’ve been looking for all my life.

“I said I would do that when I went down. But the big question was how. “

But she still can’t fall. Learning to fly is a “lifelong commitment” – it always costs a lot to make sure it is the right path.

I realized that I was not sure until I was pushed back. It has reached the point where I think, not only do this, but this is the perfect time.

So when the plague struck, and others saved as much as they could, Hazrat decided to spend all her money to become a pilot.

She has been saving money for years – whether it is for homework or flight training, it really depends on how my work is going. ”

I could pay my student bills or get a house, but I have no regrets.

She has spent 14 14,000 ($ 19,200) on training since March 2021, but that is part of the figure. It takes up to three years to qualify and costs up to 50,000-60,000 ($ 69,000-82,000) —it’s the cheapest way to do this. Some courses are double that.

After losing her job, Hazrat did a series of work to stay afloat throughout the epidemic – a personal trainer, host, a call to the UK National Immunization Line and a Christmas present.

She volunteered at the vaccination clinic – and now, after seven jobs, works as an airline specialist at another airline.

But each week she goes out into the air, working toward her ultimate goal. And while on the ground, she’s studying lines and learning theories – she thinks she’s prepared for your weekly flight for at least 15 hours. “I make good use of every second,” she says.

Flying alone

So what does she get out of the flight?

She says, “The best feeling in the world.” It burns my soul with fire. Flying is incredible, unrealistic, unique, and can only be felt by a few people – I’m very grateful.

Hazratti can now fly alone during clock construction and there is a “vulnerability”.

“But I love the repetition and the challenges – it uses all my mental energy and energy. And the work you do on the ground – all those maps and charts – pay off in the air,” she said.

“They wonder what would have happened if your airport had been closed. They were thinking of backups, looking for fields. I love that challenge – it gives me my freedom and my perspective on life.”

Of course, not all flight attendants think they are the best pilot. Cabinet staff are known for their enthusiasm. Pilots love to joke that they are indifferent and heavy – perfect for keeping the plane calm.

“That is a distorted view, and it is a small day – the pilots I went with are very impressive characters,” Hazrat said.

They are funny and interesting, but they have the ability to draw attention to it when they need it. I was going to give them tea or coffee, and we were having a good time.

I’m really bubbly and I speak to everyone, but I also have the ability – I’m very limited, I’m math and I love processes. In [annual cabin crew] Training, my favorite pieces are always safety processes, so that’s good to pass on.

In fact, pilots are often seen as superior to cabinet ministers.

We see the value in each other, but in some areas of the industry there is such a hierarchy – pilots are treated more professionally and cabinet staff are seen as customer service.

Some people expect to see pilots with them, with cabinet staff behind – but that’s a legacy from the past. We are a very large group – we are on the flight deck and we are outside.

And she hopes that the future of her experimental work as a cabinet member will end well – “The airline hopes to be able to bridge the gap between the airport and the cabinet staff – and this is a stumbling block.

“A lot of staff say, ‘You know what, I really want to fly this thing.’

Sky Superman

Hazratti’s last flight to the Virgin Atlantic was a return flight from New York to Heathrow in April 2020, with passengers rushing to see their sick relatives or reach the locker room.

“We know we are on the verge of a change, and most of us will be on our final flight for the time being, if not at all,” she says.

“I remember sitting at the airport for a rest. The captain said, “I hope you are all happy. It will be our last for a few months,” and I cried. I could not believe it would be taken. Stay away from me. But on that flight, I was absolutely honored to do what I love and help those who need it.

Over the past 18 months, Hazrat has not only started training during the epidemic, but she has also returned to school – for human reasons and studying for masters in aviation. “I had to stay in touch with the industry to make sure [that when it bounces back] I have something better to offer than when I left. ”

I love learning, so a master’s was always on the cards, and human reasons are what I want, but I didn’t plan to do this quickly. The plague struck again.

In fact, she mentions “human factors”: the ways in which people interact with aviation, from ergonomics to decision-making and occupational psychology. “

Finally, that experimental goal still exists – even though the industry is in a much worse state so far. She says, she says, it takes years to build a flying airline for heritage – and it takes longer to fly.

But she will be happy to exchange those beautiful gardeners’ trips to Johannesburg, Hong Kong and Lala for short indoor hops – until she sits on the flight deck.