A new job at 62 years old

My husband worked as a pilot and in March 2020 the airline that he’d flown for was liquidated, which meant substantial financial loss for us as a family.

Although we were grateful for the opportunity when he returned to flying after Covid, in 2023, he faced many challenges. His roster was erratic. We never knew  from day to day where he was flying to, along with other difficult working conditions.

So he applied to FlySafair at the age of 62, three years away from official retirement age.  

He went for the interview and waited five weeks before getting a response.

Other younger pilots that he knew, who went for their interviews had received positive responses before him. 

I knew that we had to guard our mouths and not speak anything negative. To take negative thoughts captive and only to say what God says.

We never discussed it again. I praised God for His faithfulness in the waiting, regardless of what I felt or heard. We rebuked all opposition that would block his desire to move to a new airline. 

Then…he was offered a five year contract, at the age of 62! 

This means that he can fly for another two years beyond “retirement”. What a blessing! God is faithful, He restores what the locust has eaten!

– Denise and Ivor Burgess

*Stock image used for illustrative purpose