Running up and down an airplane aisle serving passengers is not something most of us imagine doing at 73, but ‘Nana Pam’, as she is known by her regular passengers, still takes pride in being an easyJet cabin crew member, 20 years after she first joined the airline.
Having become one of the oldest cabin crew members in the UK and the oldest easyJet employee, Pam Clark is now flying the flag for over 45’s to take advantage of easyJet’s drive to recruit career changers. The grandmother, soon to become a great-grandmother, was on an easyJet flight to Madrid 20 years ago when she picked up a recruitment advertisement and was inspired to quit her job as a hairdresser to make her childhood dream come true – at the age of 53.
Pam is now helping easyJet encourage other over 45-year-olds to follow their dreams just as she did, in her newly appointed role as a recruitment ambassador. The new initiative from the airline builds on its successes over the past year in its commitment to diverse recruitment. Since the launch of the recruitment campaign last year, easyJet has seen a 10% increase in crew members over 45 applying.
Nowadays, I’m meeting more and more colleagues like me who have made a brave career change later in life. Don’t be afraid!
Pam Clark
Research by the airline in 2022 found that 78% of parents, aged 45 and over, wanted to take on a new challenge once their children leave the nest. Over half (57%) of the 2,000 British adults aged over 45 who were surveyed, said they hoped to find a career they were truly passionate about after their children were not dependent on them anymore.
When Pam showed up for her first day of training, despite her initial fears that she would stand out among younger colleagues, she found herself welcomed into a team from all walks of life and her exceptional customer service and people skills saw her thrive in what turned out to be her longest career of all.
“My advice to anyone over the age of 45 thinking about applying for a role as cabin crew at easyJet would be to go for it. When I applied for the role 20 years ago I knew that my age and experience meant I had something really valuable to offer”, Pam said, sending a message of encouragement to other people in similar situation who are ready to take on a new challenge.
In her 20 years of loyal service, Pam has welcomed an estimated 800,000 passengers on board 4,500 flights. Among those taken under her wing have been premiership footballers, TV stars and a precious trombone needing its own seat.
“My favourite part of the job has been meeting passengers from all over the world and giving them the most enjoyable travel experience possible. I’m proud to work at a company that puts people first”, Pam added.
She celebrated both here birthday and 20th anniversary with easyJet plane shaped cake with her likeness on top and a framed photograph of her completing her recruitment training.
