Careers/Jobs of Frequent Flyers

[AaronBradford]

That's one thing I'd love to be doing! Got a link to any of your images?

I spend my days hauling camera gear through airports to get to exotic places as a photographer for National Geographic Magazine. I wouldn't trade it for any other job in the world and it beats the hell out of working in an office and wearing a suit and tie!

So next time you are sitting there silently cursing the guy who is trying to get a very heavy backpack up into the overhead locker - come and give me a hand will ya!

Despite all of the travel that I do I'm still clueless about the frequent flyer stuff - but you are all helping me to start to learn it a little - and it's much appreciated!

Before anyone asks - my weapon of choice these days is Canon.

 

[Cocitus23]

I spend my days hauling camera gear through airports to get to exotic places as a photographer for National Geographic Magazine.

So do you look like Clint Eastwood and have you had an affair with Merryl Streep? Those who have explored the covered bridges in Madison County, Iowa, as I have, will know what I'm talking about.

Cocitus23

 

[RSD]

LOL - I'm certainly not a Clint Eastwood I've met many interesting people along the way - but alas not Merryl Streep.

 

[nlagalle]

Before anyone asks - my weapon of choice these days is Canon.

Canon v Nikon = Ford v Holden!

 

[RSD]

Canon v Nikon = Ford v Holden!

For the average person yes, for those of us shooting top end images where there might not be a second chance then no - the high end models from Nikon and Canon have subtle differences that have an impact for us. Performance in low light is one that can be very important and there is certainly a difference between the two in this area. Even things that don't affect the actual image can make a big difference to us - such as battery life in very low temperatures. If someone had of said to me five years ago that I would be shooting Canon instead of Nikon today I would have laughed at them - but now I am.

 

[nlagalle]

For the average person yes, for those of us shooting top end images where there might not be a second chance then no - the high end models from Nikon and Canon have subtle differences that have an impact for us. Performance in low light is one that can be very important and there is certainly a difference between the two in this area. Even things that don't affect the actual image can make a big difference to us - such as battery life in very low temperatures. If someone had of said to me five years ago that I would be shooting Canon instead of Nikon today I would have laughed at them - but now I am.

Interesting as most of our Sport photographers now shoot on Nikon instead of Canon! they use the D3s over the 1D MkIV. and the MKIII was a shocker of a model too..

 

[RSD]

Interesting as most of our Sport photographers now shoot on Nikon instead of Canon! they use the D3s over the 1D MkIV. and the MKIII was a shocker of a model too..

I guess they have found the D3s is probably the right tool for their job - but then they are shooting in very different conditions to us. Certainly I expect that they wouldn't be shooting in the low light situations that we have to when needed. There's nothing like sitting 15 feet downwind from a male adult lion at dusk as he strolls past - and then thinking "I hope the shutter release noise is still set to Silent!"

 

[RSD]

That's one thing I'd love to be doing! Got a link to any of your images?

I'm in the early stages of developing a website that will contain a lot of images - realistically it's probably still at least 8 months away though due to workload.

 

[kelpie]

Lobbyist.

Lots of travel within Australia and NZ plus a few trips to SE Asia and the odd one here and there to Europe and the US. So much so that I'm currently maintaining PPS with Krisflyer as well as WP & PG with Qantas.

I have probably been a passenger in skyring's Canberra taxi without realising who the driver was. :shock:

 

[nlagalle]

I guess they have found the D3s is probably the right tool for their job - but then they are shooting in very different conditions to us. Certainly I expect that they wouldn't be shooting in the low light situations that we have to when needed. There's nothing like sitting 15 feet downwind from a male adult lion at dusk as he strolls past - and then thinking "I hope the shutter release noise is still set to Silent!"

Indeed although night football is low light when fast shutter speed is required too! but i wouldn't envy you hiding in the bushes like that!!!

 

[RSD]

Indeed although night football is low light when fast shutter speed is required too! but i wouldn't envy you hiding in the bushes like that!!!

I find it quite an enjoyable place - peace, quiet, surrounded by nature - and I'm probably at my most creative and do my best work when I don't have the background noise of modern life. Certainly I'm in my happiest moods then. Occasionally when I'm sitting on a plain somewhere in Africa I'll pull my eye away from the viewfinder for a few seconds and look up and see a vapour trail left by a passing jet - and I'll think "lucky sods" and then just put the eye back to the viewfinder again.

 

[Silence]

Customer Service Trainer (industry undislosed) Australia wide, flights in PE with VA once every 6 - 8 weeks. Sitting on 860 SC's this year.

 

[Nam Taf]

In theory, I'm supposed to be a mech design engineer for a large logistics company, but I've been roped into implementing positive isolation across the business so I'm currently spending 4 weeks out of 5 on average away on site. This involves flying to site on Monday morning and home on Friday evening. Normally I'd be based in Brisbane and just fly a handful of times a year - my current travel is quite abnormal for me!

The downside with my current role is that because we have a BFOD policy, my travel is scattered between JQ and DJ so I don't really get to stack up the points rapidly. I'll get silver in both but that seems about it. Also with JQ's recent changes, I may start to see my points dry up there since I doubt the company will book above a Starter fare if they don't have to!

I've been tempted to get a FIFO mining job but with current ties (aka the 'boss') in Brisbane that wouldn't go down well. I'm hilariously underpaid compared to such roles even though I'm basically doing FIFO right now - I don't get a cent more doing this than I would working in the Brisbane CBD as per normal I should really look for a new job!

Finally, I'm surprised there's not more sales reps here. I'd expect them to be involved in this forum given how frequently they tend to travel.

 

[Misha]

Finally, I'm surprised there's not more sales reps here. I'd expect them to be involved in this forum given how frequently they tend to travel.

I am guessing that there is a "no-commercial-posts" policy that keeps them away

 

[Nam Taf]

I am guessing that there is a "no-commercial-posts" policy that keeps them away

I wasn't thinking about that. I mean sales reps say for engineering companies who have to travel constantly to clients. They don't have to advertise here - they may not even be associated with the airline industry!

For example, if you supply components for mining industry vehicles you'd likely fly out to clients to evaluate their situations, see the problems they have and see if you can come up with solutions. We get a lot through our offices since we do design.

 

[TonyHancock]

I wasn't thinking about that. I mean sales reps say for engineering companies who have to travel constantly to clients. They don't have to advertise here - they may not even be associated with the airline industry!For example, if you supply components for mining industry vehicles you'd likely fly out to clients to evaluate their situations, see the problems they have and see if you can come up with solutions. We get a lot through our offices since we do design.

I have always found reading and writing to be an issue with sales reptiles!!!

 

[transcon777]

Hi fellow AFFers!

Head of Airline Relations for a global travel co.

Twice weekly domestic travel and monthly international travel - all on revenue tickets to keep job integrity.

Same goes for personal travel, always revenue tickets.

Always use the forum for a heads up with what's happening across the board and see what everyone's thinking, a great pool of knowledge!

 

[Simo]

Small business owner with 1 shop and 2 sales offices...I own a telecommunications business with customers all over Qld and looking at making in roads into NSW market.Most of my travel is to either TSV or CNS on a weekly basis and Mky on a monthly basis.I am also involved with a community service group and have just been asked go over to Asia for 2-3 weeks to do training.I have also been asked to do training in Fiji as well.2012/2013 I will be on the national board and will involve training and meeting Aust wide.

 

[crows425]

University Student!

 

[Sprucegoose]

Hi fellow AFFers!Head of Airline Relations for a global travel co.Twice weekly domestic travel and monthly international travel - all on revenue tickets to keep job integrity.Same goes for personal travel, always revenue tickets.Always use the forum for a heads up with what's happening across the board and see what everyone's thinking, a great pool of knowledge!

We would appreciate more input from you given your unique circumstances!!