dont know what to do next

[david 7]

Hi all its, its been a been a long time since I have posted any message, here we go , lost mum last year, now I have been made redundant after 36 years, my lovely daughter has a baby now 6 month old, and my other daughter is now flying with BA, its great to have the baby with me and the wife , it keeps me on track and gives me a purpose on life, my older daughter is flying all over the world and this is her dream, we both love aviation biggin hill is our favorite, just thinking where do I go from here, I have a lovely family to support me, but when you have been the bread winner all these years , I cant sit at home as I have to be doing something, missed my club night this week and really wanted to go but I forgot, not been flying for a long time , really like a job at the airport but don't want shift work after 36 years any more, looks like sainsburys, of tescos, any way enough of my self pity, must me loads of guys in the same position thanks dave.

[Frank Skilbeck]

Dave, what is your profession?

[Cliff Bastow]

Hi Dave,

Sounds like you have had a bad time lately, I know its easy to say but at least you have your family around you.

I can well imagine how it feels to be redundant after all these years but I am sure something will turn up. Who knows it could be the start of something new and wonderfull.

Keep your chin up and wishing you a better 2015.

cliff

[david 7]

I work for what was the biggest photo graphic company in this country, I have to be very careful what I say as they have tied me up with contracts, dave

[david 7]

I am hoping it will be a new start , I think I needed the push , but I realy liked my job and was good at it, don't think my skills will be can be used unless I go to china ???? ,

[david 7]

Thanks, cliff, and frank for your reply, I know some people don't know what to say but thank you dave.

[Shaunie]

Hi Dave,

i know what redundancy is like, three times for me now. You feel like the rug has been pulled from under you. However with what you have on your CV I am sure the agencies will have loads of openings for you. Just choose what you fancy.

Keep your chin up, it sounds like you are surrounded by a very supportive family.

Oh, and get some quality flying in while you have a chance. You'll be too busy before you know it!

shaunie.

[fly boy3]

HI david 7, I was made redundant after 35 years in the car industry at the right old age of 57. Like you david, I was lost, for a while. In vested some of my money with a small monthly return. I was amazed after a while that you can still carry on on a reduced income, and with the support of a loving wife and family we are still managing 20 years later. A new baby in the house , how lucky can you get. As Cliff says keep your chin up. FB3

[IanN]

Posted by david 7 on 20/12/2014 20:53:56:

missed my club night this week and really wanted to go but I forgot,

You're not the only one who missed the AGM. I did too

Sounds like getting down to the patch and getting some stick time in again might be worth considering?

[Peter Jenkins]

What about using your skills to start your own business. Does it need to be a huge money spinner? Make maximum use of the internet to publicise your offerings. I'm sure something will turn up. Don't wait for the system to come to your aid - nothing seems to be generated for those of us who are around 60 unless you get it going yourself.

And yes, get stuck into your flying while you have the time available, If you have your A, why not try working up to a B? What about getting into instructing?

[robert Jones 14]

Do you need paid employment or is your pension enough?

If you can afford not to work, being a car driver for a hospital pays expenses (but expenses only).It is something I do part time and it is really worthwhile and well appreciated. A lot of the people who need to get to appointments or treatment can't afford taxis and find it too difficult to wait for public transport (if there is public transport to where they need to go.

Edited By robert Jones 14 on 21/12/2014 10:20:34

[Stevo]

Wow Dave,

You really have been through it. I've been redundant twice, and I re-skilled in my late 40s to be a tutor & assessor. Education and public services seem to be the only profession where ageism is absent.

Despite having toothache (!) and endless back issues, I took solace in the hobby, and watching my children grow (now 20 and 22).

If you like Biggin Hill, you must be in Kent?

Steve

[Dai Fledermaus]

Nil Desperandam - Never Despair Dave, I like some of the others here have been made redundant - twice in fact. The sense of hurt each time was difficult to deal with, but I did find something else to do by setting up my own cabinet making business which ran for about ten years before retiring. Didn't make a great deal of money out of it but it gave me a sense of purpose and a good deal of satisfaction.

A good friend of mine who was also made redundant, about five years ago, started his own painting and decorating business, on his own, with minimal outlay and now he has so much work he can hardy cope with it.

There are things you can do if you put your mind to it.

Good Luck

[Chuck Plains]

Plenty of moral support right here Dave. Sad to hear about your mum. My mum will be 87 in February and I guess we just take each year as a good result. She does the newspaper cross word every day and invented a new swear word a couple of years ago!

Still not sure of precisely what your skills involve. So many aspects to the photography business, from camera design and precision manufacture to image processing and graphics. My bro is a graphics specialist and occasional session musician and I work with CNC machines in a small (40-ish staff) precision component manufacturing company that joined the Cosworth group two years ago. We've got work coming out of our ears!

I am absolutely not a nationalistic sort of person and I say that the sooner all cultures can mesh together the better. Maybe you could maximize you earning potential in China, but I say the UK needs brains due to exactly that sort of leakage.

Here's wishing you masses of luck, what ever you decide. :¬

Take care of you and yours Dave and keep us updated.

Pete.

[Steve T]

Maybe we should start our own 'on the scrap heap' modellers club! I was made redundant due to the terrorism where I was based, December 2013 after 30 years working overseas, since then not even a sniff of a new contract, I'll be 60 next year....oh dear. Experience isn't always such a great thing, younger and less experienced he may be, he is always considerably cheaper!

My ex wife finally gave up the fight after 6 years with 4 spells of cancer, Wednesday 17th.

Merry Christmas despite it all 🎅🎉🎈🎁