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Women in Leadership Profiles
Name: Captain Chloe Harrison
Role: Airline Pilot, British Airways
A bit about Chloe: I always wanted to fly, ever since I was a little girl! From the moment I got it in my head that I wanted to fly planes and travel the world, not one person could tell me otherwise. I did everything I could from that moment to get to where I am today. I became the youngest female Captain at British Airways.
What is it like working in your company? It is so much fun, sometimes I even forget it is a job! Every single day is different to the next; a different airport, different crew, different weather conditions, different passengers, the list goes on! It keeps the job exciting and never boring. I’ve travelled all over the world and I get to see some incredible things.
Why did you decide to go into your chosen field? I wanted to be an Astronaut when I was very little. Space, Physics and flight really caught my interest. Everyone at my school, including my teachers, looked at me strangely for wanting to do something like that and in the end that just made me more determined to succeed.
What qualifications and work experience did you need to reach your current position? You need 5 A*- C GCSEs (including Maths and English) and you are set! I also have A levels and a degree in Physics. It is not just about doing Maths and Science though like many people think, although having a good understanding of those subjects makes the Ground School Training that little bit easier!
What do you enjoy the most about your job? I love the travel and the view out our office window is pretty good too! I have seen some incredible sunsets, erupting volcanoes, gigantic thunderstorms (from a safe distance, mind you!) St Elmo’s fire (look it up, it’s pretty cool), full circle rainbows and so many shooting stars.
What obstacles have you overcome in your career? Historically, to become a Pilot required you to have lots of money, sadly this was still the case in 2010 when, despite getting a place on an intake, I had to pull out as my family and I did not have the money to support me and pay for the course.
I never gave up and the very next year British Airways introduced a fully sponsored cadet program and they funded my training to become a pilot. A few other airlines have since followed suit, so training to be a pilot is becoming more accessible all the time.
Being a woman in this industry up to this point has never been an issue, despite popular opinion. There is no gender pay gap and I was promoted and gained my command in the same amount of time as any other Captain.
Why do you think it is important to have a strong female representation in your industry?
Because women can do it too! Women can sometimes bring a separate skill base, and having a different perspective on the flight deck is always a good thing. It allows us to view a complex situation through different eyes and generate more options when needed.
What advice would you give those wanting to take a similar career path?
Do not get disheartened by looking at potential obstacles and the opinions of other people. Follow your heart always, tell everyone what you want to be, work hard and anything is possible! Do the subjects you actually enjoy, not the ones you think you might need for the job as if you choose subjects you like, you will get better grades and you will have much more fun doing it!
The particular subjects that you study are not important to become a Pilot, but you need to be able to demonstrate you are able to learn and prove you have a desire to succeed.
