Mohammed Hakeem’s love affair with aviation started in childhood, as he launched into Boeing 747-400 journeys from Los Angeles to Fiji together with his household. These experiences ignited a lifelong ardour for flight inside him.
In 2017, Mohammed launched into his aviation profession, beginning as a customer support agent (CSA) with Alaska Airways at San Francisco Worldwide Airport. Swiftly rising by the ranks, he assumed management as a CSA in Oakland earlier than transitioning to a flight attendant function in 2019.
Regardless of discovering success in these positions, Mohammed harbored a persistent dream of piloting plane. His aspiration was fueled by a need to honor his mother and father’ sacrifices and carve out a path that might make them proud.
As a Fijian American, Mohammed additionally acknowledged the importance of illustration in aviation management. He yearned to contribute to this transformation by turning into a pilot, pushed by the significance of seeing people like himself within the captain’s seat.
” I’ve at all times dreamt of turning into a pilot. Rising up, I used to be informed by adults that my dream was too formidable and that it wasn’t sensible. However I held onto that dream, and it will definitely turned a actuality for me,” mentioned Mohammed. “Being a part of the industry which I’ve loved all my life helped me realize that my dream was indeed attainable.”
After conducting some analysis and receiving encouragement from a pal, Mohammed took the leap and utilized to the Ascend Academy supplied by Alaska Airways in early 2023. This complete program, carried out in partnership with Hillsboro Aero Academy in Hillsboro, Oregon, guides aspiring pilots from floor zero to attaining business flight standing over a number of years. Mohammed is at the moment devoted to finishing his coaching, aiming for commencement, after which he’ll easily transition into his new function as a pilot for Horizon Air.
“Trust the process, move at your own pace, and always believe in yourself! You will make mistakes, but you will learn and grow from them. Trusting the process can be grueling especially when we compare our progress amongst our peers. It is not a race but a journey–one we cannot complete if we do not truly believe in ourselves the entire way.” – Mohammed Hakeem
Get acquainted with a number of of our iconic aviators.
Final yr, Alaska Air Group paid tribute to the exceptional careers of choose pilots, bestowing upon them the titles of “Alaska Legends” and “Horizon Air Pathfinders.” This recognition celebrates people who constantly goal increased, prioritize others, and have devoted over a decade to the career.
Captain Julie Thiele, initially an artwork main, transitioned to aviation regardless of grappling with extreme movement illness. Her journey led her to overcome these challenges and ascend to the place of director base chief pilot at Anchorage Worldwide Airport.
Captain Geoff Nelson’s aviation journey commenced with a memorable flight over Juneau, Alaska, igniting an unwavering ardour. With over twenty years of expertise, he has donned varied roles, from piloting friends to educating in lecture rooms and fulfilling technical pilot tasks.
Captain Wealthy Loudon, a former Navy serviceman, introduced his wealth of expertise to the airline. Past his duties within the flight deck, he has crafted very important coaching packages for Alaska pilots and earned industry-wide respect for his experience in Human Elements.
“You actually have the perfect workplace on the earth, with ever-changing breath-taking view. Feeling the exhilaration of climbing away from the earth on each takeoff has by no means did not preserve me smiling. What a privilege. Along with that, the aviation profession is crammed with excessive performing people who make it protected, enjoyable and extremely rewarding.” – Captain Wealthy Loudon
Amongst their cohort, these people embody the usual of care and experience our pilots attempt for. As Wealthy commemorates 32 years as an Alaska pilot and Mohammed embarks on his journey to the flight deck, it’s crucial to proceed valuing and acknowledging experience, recruiting pilots from numerous backgrounds, and fostering alternatives for our workers to pursue their aspirations.
The publish Alaska Airways Celebrates Variety in Aviation: Mohammed Hakeem Journey From Passenger to Aspiring Pilot appeared first on Journey And Tour World.
