A330 captain turns lollipop man: COVID-19 pandemic forces radical career shifts
A Qantas pilot out of work due to the coronavirus pandemic has got a new job as a traffic controller.
Paul Currie is used to take to the skies, flying passengers around the world in an A330. He worked for Qantas for 30 years.
Now, the A330 captain has had a temporary change of career and is now considered an essential worker as a traffic controller in construction.
Paul Currie worked as a Qantas for 30 years, but now has a job as a traffic controller. A Current Affair
"The transition has been rather daunting, and it's been thrust upon me without much preparation," Mr Currie told A Current Affair.
"I get up in the morning and I go and put on a different uniform and go to work."
He is one of 20,000 workers Qantas workers stood down during this pandemic, while Virgin has sent home around 8,000 of their staff.
Traffic controllers are classed as an essential job, and continue despite the COVID-19 pandemic. A Current Affair
"I've got colleagues that are packing orders for Woolworths and Coles, working on cash registers for Woolworths and Coles. I chose to do something outside," Mr Currie said.
"I don't think we've got any choice we must embrace the challenges that are in front of us," he added.
While Mr Currie is enjoying the change, he says he hopes to return to his role as a pilot when the time is right.
Peter Currie said the transition was daunting, but he is grateful to be able to go to work each morning. A Current Affair
Health care industries are looking for workers. More information at Vative Health.
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