“I’ve always been a firm believer in Karma!”
In early 2004, I applied for another job in British Airways which would have me running an extensive project. Unfortunately, I was rejected from that position, and the feedback they gave me was that they didn’t think I was suitable for the role. It was disappointing to say the least, especially as I firmly believed that I was ideally suited for this role. But I accepted it and moved on. Until they announced who had been given the job. I was asked to go and see the general manager of the marketing department, along with the newly appointed person. I was informed at the meeting that this new appointee would need help in running the project due to its scale and complexity. I was asked if I could not only run the project but also teach them how to do it as we went along! I mulled this over silently for a few seconds. When I had mustered the calm to speak, I repeated back to them the feedback I received for not getting the job, word for word. I then asked them, “How can you have the audacity to tell me that I am not qualified for this position and then ask me to come and help and teach the person you did promote, for no extra pay and with none of the many perks that they are receiving, all because they do not have the experience for a project of this scale?! I must decline your request!”
I promptly got up out of my chair and left the meeting. To say that I was disgusted doesn’t even begin to cover it!
This was the last nail in the coffin for me. To be honest my opinion of the company had begun to sour following an incident a month prior, Christmas 2003. I had been tasked with improving the cleanliness of the cabin interiors on all aircraft. The project I ran was extremely successful. We had a Secret Santa that year and one of my colleagues decided it would be amusing to give me a bin bag full of cleaning products as my gift. Everyone else in the group got a very nice, thoughtful Christmas present whereas I got this bag of shite. He must have thought it would be funny to show this old fart what he thought of me. I found it extremely derogatory, my supervisor knew I wasn’t amused and wasn’t too impressed with the joke either! I gave the bin bag back to the gift giver and suggested that they shove the bag and the contents straight up their arse. To some, this might seem petty, but from my point of view, it showed that this is what they thought of me, despite me bringing in millions of pounds to the company, by completing extremely large projects, on time, every time and to budget. And this younger guy thought he could just take the piss out of me. He was mistaken.
2 weeks later, I got an email from a former colleague asking me if I’d be interested in flying to Abu Dhabi to have a meeting with Etihad Airways, a brand-new airline in the United Arab Emirates. I agreed immediately and travel arrangements were made for me to fly down, stay overnight, and then fly back the next day, all paid for by Etihad. I arrived in the UAE and a taxi was organised for me which took me to my hotel and another car took me to Etihad HQ the following day for my meeting. At the interview there were two Emirate representatives, one was an absolute gentleman, the other, not so much. I was told about the projects that they needed me to work on which included – aircraft definition, cabin interiors and aircraft delivery. I was also asked what my salary was at BA, which I truthfully told them. To which their response was “We’ll take 40% off that for tax and that is what your new salary will be.”
I replied “Why would I come to Etihad Airways for the same salary as I am getting now? My flight leaves in an hour and a half, back to Heathrow. Goodbye.” I stood up, shook their hands (one more firmly than the other), and left.
I assumed there and then that that was the end of my brief time with Etihad, until a month later when I received an email from Etihad HR that they wished to see me again for another interview. I agreed and returned under the same travel conditions. This time when I walked into the meeting room at Etihad HQ there was a German man and an English woman from HR. They asked how the previous interview went, ‘extremely insulting’ I stated plainly. They then asked under what conditions would I consider joining Etihad Airways. I had prepared for this and gave them my list of requirements which were – a much higher salary than what they suggested before, unlimited first-class travel for me and my family (as I had this already at BA), and furnished accommodation. To my surprise, they agreed to all of my conditions right there and then!
I returned to London, pretty chuffed, and had a long discussion with my family. Given the increase in salary (which was tax-free) and the ability to commute, my family showed nothing but their full support, this combined with my growing discontent with how BA had treated me, was a no-brainer! I resigned from BA in December 2004 and was escorted from the premises by security on Christmas Eve! It was interesting to hear that the person that did get the promotion that started all this, had already left as they couldn’t cope and the general manager that asked me to assist them had also gone! I’ve always been a firm believer in Karma!
I agreed to join Etihad Airways in January 2005 when they only had 4 aircraft to their name. I flew over and lived out of a hotel until my visa was approved and my bank account was set up. Once that was all in place, I was offered a furnished apartment which I happily accepted.
After a week in Abu Dhabi, I was sent on my first assignment which was in Brighton, England of all places! I was to arrange media content for the Etihad Airways aircraft. This was a very pleasant job as it meant I could stay at home and see my family, opting to drive back and forth to Brighton, rather than stay in another hotel. I had that apartment in Abu Dhabi for three years but only actually stayed in it for a total of 60 days/nights, as my new company had me flying all over the world, which was fine by me! A lot of air miles were accrued in this time.
After three years based in the UAE, I was requested to base myself in Airbus Toulouse for the delivery of the new aircraft. This was a full circle moment for me and happily accepted it as it greatly reduced my travel, but my mounting stockpile of air miles did take a bit of a dent at this point!
My time with Etihad continues in the next instalment. If you would like to know more or are interested in booking our services, please get in touch via our contact page.
