Our team at Virgin Blue are living examples of how personal choice and discovering what makes yourself tick can build a great career. No two career paths in our company are the same and that’s how we like it. But some things are the same - where the individuals work to the best of their ability, know what keeps them interested and challenged, strive for a balance in their work and private life, are solutions focused and embrace teamwork. A career at Virgin Blue is whatever you make of it … let’s face it, it’s all (Virgin) blue sky.

We're delighted to introduce you to some of our team members who are busy charting their course with Virgin Blue.

Lorie - General Manager, Ground Operations

 My career in the Aviation industry began almost twenty years ago in Canada, in various roles including Wholesale Tours, Check-In, Network Operations and Flight Planning.  I then relocated to Brisbane from Edmonton Alberta, to launch Canada 3000 Airlines into Australia in 2000 as the Brisbane Station Manager.  During this time, I met many of the Virgin Blue team through Airport Operations and was always inspired by the enthusiasm and friendliness of everyone.  My career with Virgin Blue began in 2003 in the Ground Operations department as a Guest Services Manager at Brisbane Airport. I then became Manager of Ground Operations for Pacific Blue for a number of years before moving into the role of Manager, Business Improvement.  My most recent roles within the Virgin Blue Airlines Group were Manager, Brisbane Airport for over a year before moving into the role of Manager, Ground Operations at Sydney Airport at the beginning of 2010.  However, recently I have been appointed as General Manager Ground Operations, Virgin Blue.  During my career at Virgin Blue (in my personal time), I completed my Masters in Aviation Management through Griffith University.

I love the fact that everyone in Virgin Blue is adaptable, flexible and enthusiastic will always think outside the square to deliver desired results.  Also, the fact that Virgin Blue has provided me with so many career opportunities and the chance to gain exposure to so many parts of the business and continuously learn is fantastic.  What I love most about my job is the fact that I work closely with the Operations Teams, which then allows me to understand the pressure points of their roles and then implement changes to make their jobs easier which in turn ensures great Guest experiences.
 
I have two Virgin Blue values that I relate most to on a daily basis - Innovation and Fun. I absolutely believe in having Fun in the workplace, even if there is always a serious side to our business.  Innovation is also as equally important to me in my day to day operations, as I always challenge myself to think outside of the square and I love that we are always enhancing our practices or developing and learning.

Cliff - Pit Crew Leader

 With a background in hospitality and many years of experience as a Chief Concierge on the Gold Coast, I joined Virgin Blue’s Pit Crew team four years ago following recommendations from a friend also working in the Pit Crew team, and approximately two years ago I became a Pit Crew Leader. 

Not only is it great working with my fellow team members in the Pit Crew area, we also have the opportunity to interact and work closely with other Virgin Blue teams including Guest Services, Cabin Crew and Engineers as well as our Guests on a daily basis.  I still get a buzz from working at the airport and am proud to work for Virgin Blue, and like the fact that it is also possible to progress through the company in many different areas of the business.  A lot of people work closely together to ensure that our aircraft are ready to depart 30 minutes after it arrives at the gate, with a high focus on our On Time Performance and Safety standards. 

We have approximately 70 aircraft movements daily at Brisbane Airport therefore we are always quite busy.  I enjoy the challenge of the job and ensuring that teams are always available to meet all aircraft which occasionally arrive early or late due to a variety of factors including poor weather conditions either in Brisbane or other locations around Australia.  On occasion we also receive aircraft diverted from Coolangatta and the Sunshine Coast, and during these times it is like playing a game of chess when moving teams around in order to meet all flights.  Variety is great and no one day is ever the same at the airport. 

 The Virgin Blue values I most closely relate to are Safety and Fun.  When working on the tarmac around our aircraft, Safety is our number one priority and something that is always taken very seriously.  The Pit Crew Leader role also requires me to have a current First Aid certificate and training and qualifications for handling dangerous goods.  What I think is great about working at Virgin Blue is that Fun can be had whilst maintaining a quality and safe product, and this Virgin Blue value is also shared with our Guests by our happy and motivated teams.  Our great sense of humour always see us through the most challenging shifts that can include major schedule disruptions and pouring rain, and gives us the required boost to get us through these challenges and ensure that our Guests are always looked after.   

Sam - IT Helpdesk Officer

 Prior to my career in the IT industry, my career path saw me employed as a Legal Agent in a New Zealand law firm and then a Mortgage Broker.  I then obtained IT qualifications and moved into an IT role with the Auckland University of Technology for many years.  However, a new life in Australia beckoned and I moved here with my family in 2008.  Following a contract role with the Queensland Treasury Department, I joined Virgin Blue’s IT department and haven’t looked back. 

Virgin Blue is a great place to work as career development is really encouraged within the organization, and I believe that there is plenty of opportunity for me to progress further in my career.  I love the fact that I can help everyone at Virgin Blue in my role, and that I can interact with everyone throughout the business and build relationships both via phone and face to face where possible. 

I am a people person and I always like to put a face to the voice when I am providing friendly service via telephone.  Virgin Blue is also a fun environment which really helps with work life balance, and I love coming to work everyday.  I also admire and appreciate how Virgin Blue supports the wider community where possible, particularly during times of tragedy such as the Tsunami in Samoa, which is my homeland.  The support that was provided to the local communities was amazing and my family and friends have since provided me with great feedback about the assistance they received.

Throughout my career, I have obtained several Novell and Microsoft certificates which have enabled me to deal with both Technical and Network issues, and I'm currently completing a self paced training course to obtain my MCSA (Microsoft Cert Systems Administration).  The scope of my qualifications and experience has provided me with fantastic opportunities and the ability to move into a variety of areas within IT including Helpdesk, Desktop and Sys Admin roles.

Samantha - Schedule Optimisation Analyst

I joined Virgin Blue in July 2008 as a Schedule Optimisation Analyst within Schedule Planning, which is part of Network Management.  Prior to joining Virgin Blue, I completed a Bachelor’s Degree in Aviation (Management) from the University of New South Wales and then gained employment with Airport Coordination Australia, which is the independent Government body set up to manage aircraft slots at all Australian International Airports, along with Sydney and Darwin Airport Domestic airport slots followed by an Operations Controller role with Strategic Aviation. 

What initially attracted me to a career with Virgin Blue was the company’s reputation for being a fun and exciting workplace, and I can definitely confirm that this is true.   The fast paced and ever changing environment at Virgin Blue has allowed me to quickly expand my skills beyond what I ever thought possible. I find myself amazed at all the things that I have learnt in the last two years, and excited about all the new things that are happening at Virgin Blue every week. Working with many different departments within Virgin Blue has also allowed me to gain a much broader knowledge base of the company. 

What I love most about my job is helping to make decisions about new destinations and schedules the Virgin Blue Airlines Group fly to and also changing schedules to respond to competitor activity or changes to the current economic environment.

Additionally, the community environment Virgin Blue cultivates makes me feel excited to be part of something much bigger than just my role.  The Virgin Blue values I most closely relate to are Challenge, Quality and Fun. My team exchanges information with a lot of internal stakeholders, therefore the Quality of our communication is very important.  Also, I love to have Fun at work with my colleagues and the friends I have made within the organisation.