Former East Lothian Easyjet worker faced with redundancy due to Covid takes new path on Scottish island

Laura’s career was blown off course by coronavirus, so she took a new path.

When Laura Crosbie was faced with redundancy due to coronavirus, she decided to take the chance on a whole new pace of life - and it couldn’t have worked out better.

Laura, from East Lothian, worked at EasyJet for six years, working her way up to Cabin Manager after three before her carefully mapped career was decimated by coronavirus.

When considering her former job, she smiles: “I absolutely loved it, it’s a truly unique experience.

Picture Credit: Laura Crosbie

“Every crew is different, every flight is different, it keeps your job interesting.”

Laura, 30, never considered leaving EasyJet, even when she was furloughed and all the company’s flights from Edinburgh were grounded as the pandemic escalated.

It was only when she returned to work that things started to feel especially unstable and the long term effects on the industry began to show.

Laura's former career was with EasyJet. Picture Credit: Laura Crosbie.

“I had a different feeling toward the company,” she continued.

“The threat of changing our terms and conditions and reducing the amount of crew required at my base made me rethink a few things.”

When the news broke that the airline was going to start laying off staff, Laura started considering her options, and her decision hinged on a life changing trip.

“After the 5 mile restriction was lifted, and before returning to work, my partner and I decided to take a trip to Skye to visit an old friend and explore the island.

The Northern Lights on Skye. Picture Credit: Laura Crosbie.

“I’ve always loved Skye, it’s the most beautiful and magical place I’ve ever seen.

“I remember when my friend said she was moving up here years ago I felt completely in awe of her making such a dramatic change to her lifestyle at the time and being envious of the ability she had to have a slower pace in life.

“ I felt that’s exactly what I wanted and why not? Especially now when things were so uncertain.”

Laura and her partner Kenny decided to call a local company who look after a large number of self catering accommodation around the island and ask if they needed any new cleaners - and they were in luck.

So, the only decision left was whether to take the risk.

“Well, I figured it was a risk to stay in full time employment in a damaged industry, and a risk to leave and try something new, so we went for it and here we are!”

Laura took voluntary redundancy from EasyJet, and her and Kenny packed up their car with all their belongings and their beloved cat Lola, and set off for a new life on Skye.

They now both work for a company that operates self catering cottages on the island, cleaning and performing maintenance as well as organising bookings.

So, after jetting off all over Europe, Laura now watches dolphins off the coast of the island and sits back with a glass of wine watching the Northern Lights from her garden.

She smiled: “All anyone can do is go with their gut feelings on things, and if it doesn’t work out then you can always come home.

“I’m happy to just go with the flow. What will be, will be.”

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