Alyssa Crosby Success Story - Division of Education, Research and Technology

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WRITTEN TESTIMONIAL

Alyssa Crosby

First Officer - ATR

Commercial FAA Pilot Program

It was never my intention to become a Pilot, far more believe that it was attainable for me. You see, I came from a background of strictly business studies. How did I leap into the world of aviation?

This can be attested to the well-known Bishop’s High School, Tobago Career Day. Yes…where every year, hundreds of students are greeted by professionals from all walks of life – Doctors, Lawyers, Engineers, Television Presenters, Chefs and that year, we were fortunate to have a Pilot-then First Officer but now Captain Jobe, from Caribbean Airlines.

I’m not quite sure what drew me to the aviation booth but for me, it stood out the most. From the fancy plane models, to the robust flight simulator controls and the posters- I loved it all.

Brave and “cool” as I might have appeared, my interest peaked more and more and with every question I threw at him about planes, came a response that sparked a flame in me. Ah ha! “I must become a Flight Attendant!”, I said.

With a perplexed look on his face, he asked “But you were just talking about how great it would be to fly the actual plane, why the change of heart?”

A million thoughts ran through my head. Me? A Pilot? A female? Financing? Subjects? It seemed too good to be true.

I remembered the final words he left with me though. He said “It’s never too late. If it’s what you really love, You will find a way.”

I remember that afternoon after being picked up from school by my father, my heart was pounding with fear.

How do I tell my father that after 6 years of high school and studying business subjects all this time, I wanted to become a Pilot? I thought.

“Daddy, I am changing my life. I want to become a Pilot” I announced. I held my breath……..

Patiently waiting for that “cuss” I was about to receive, I was taken aback when he softly replied “We’d make it happen.”

Of course, many other people were not in support of my decision for many reasons, the biggest being the fact that I was a “female”. I would hear: A female pilot? You? No way- YOU would not fly me.

I pressed on.

Fast forward to 2015: I took up my first job out of High School, packing magazines in boxes! Boy was I excited! After all, it was me and my best friend that undertook the endeavour.

After some time, we were offered employment at the Office of the Chief Secretary. I knew that I had to save every cent to supplement that dream of becoming a Pilot. After all, my family and I were not rich.

After a couple months, along with the support of my parents and other sponsors, I was finally able to BEGIN the first phase of becoming a Commercial Pilot and attaining my private Pilot’s license.

I was so excited.

From renting on my own in Trinidad, to cooking my own food (by trial and error), it was a challenge I faced head on.

It was not easy.

The transition from being a business student to a student Pilot was challenging.

My first day in Ground School met me with the monocular vision of business studies knowledge only, that later burgeoned into a wealth of knowledge in the field of aviation.

As time went by, the theory became easier to understand and certainly, the flying became much more enjoyable, after a couple hard landings in the beginning.

At the end of 2015, I graduated successfully as a Private Pilot from Aerial World Services Ltd.

That was not the end though. I still had to complete my instrument rating (which would allow me to fly by reference to my flight instruments) and my Commercial Pilot’s license, which would allow me to become employable.

I became broke. Well, certainly my dad did.

After spending over $70,000 TTD to obtain this license, where was I going to get an additional $200-300,000 TTD from to finish??

I felt doomed but then I remembered God saying, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move – Matthew 17:20.

I sat at home for some time.

Later that same year, I received a phone call from the Department of Advanced Training and Advisory Services (DATAS) stating that I had won a Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Scholarship.

It was God’s perfect timing.

In 2017, I used the scholarship to attend the Aviator College of Aeronautical Science and Technology in Florida, to pursue my instrument rating and Commercial Pilot’s license.

This prove to be one of my most challenging experiences yet. However, being so far away from home and having to embrace a new culture, new people and new experiences, all helped to shape my character.

Along with additional financial support from my family, friends and other sponsors, I was able to complete my license and graduate successfully later that year.

Fast forward to 2018: I was then back at home in Trinidad and Tobago.

Having no job and no money, as I had exhausted all options, I knew I had to do something sooner rather than later. This led me to taking up odd jobs that were completely unrelated to my field of study, even at retail stores and stock management!

Fast Forward to 2019: Discouraged as I was, I kept the faith that I would soon be employed as a pilot at Caribbean Airlines.

I sent multiple applications at a time with high hopes and with a lot of prayers, hard work, determination, faith and support from my family and friends, I was hired by Caribbean Airlines in October 2019.

Friends, especially my ladies, I encourage you, as small or big as a dream may seem, go for it. Even if it seems impossible, go for it. Even if you are 40 years old, go for it because this little Tobago girl went for it.

It is never too late, as unconventional as the path may seem.

I would like to give praise and thanks to God, my family, friends, sponsors, including the Tobago House of Assembly, my teachers, instructors and everyone who supported me in one way or the other.

I represent Tobago. I represent women in aviation.

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