When Paula Jenkins decided to cure her fear of flying by applying for a job as cabin crew, little did she know it would lead to a long career working in the skies for Guernsey’s very own airline, Aurigny.
Earlier this month, Paula (pictured) celebrated 24 years as a flight attendant for Aurigny, with her colleagues arranging a very special water cannon salute in recognition of this incredible achievement.
Paula first started as cabin crew back in 1994 to conquer her fear of flying. A friend suggested she apply and in spite of her reservations she took the plunge and sent in her application, reasoning it’s one way to cure her phobia. She joined the Aurigny team as cabin crew in 2000.
Reflecting on her years in the skies, Paula said: “If you’d told me back in 1994 that in the future I would be celebrating 24 years flying with Aurigny, I wouldn’t have believed it. I really was scared of flying but I didn’t want this to hold me back and so when the chance came to apply for a cabin crew position I took it, and I’ve never looked back.
“It’s been an eventful career and the airline industry has changed a lot, especially with security. Also, I don’t think people realise how much safety training we have to go through; it’s not just about serving tea and coffee.
“I will miss my colleagues a lot, I don’t know another job where at 6am you are having a real laugh, but I am also really excited for the future. I retrained as a sobriety coach having stopped drinking years ago and now I want to help others who are struggling with alcohol, or those who are sober but finding it hard to live happily in a world where alcohol is everywhere.”
Max Redhead, Cabin Crew Supervisor at Aurigny, said: “Paula has been an extremely important and valued part of the team here at Aurigny and we are all going to miss her. To clock up 24 years of service at the same company is something of a rarity nowadays and we are immensely grateful to Paula for her loyalty, hard work and of course sharing her personality with us, which has added so much joy to Aurigny our flights and of course our customers.
“The water cannon salute is a very fitting tribute and mark of recognition for Paula’s service and we wish her very well with the next exciting chapter in her life.”
