A Quick Trip Back to Work Again

It’s a year since I retired, after fifty five years of working: nineteen years in the banking and asset finance sectors then thirty six years in the commercial aircraft remarketing sector (or broking to those readers on the western side of the Atlantic).

I’ve kept in touch with the aviation industry since retirement; reading daily news summaries (Boeing alone has kept me reasonably busy); attending a few industry conferences (next one being the Airline Economics - London in September) and enjoying the occasional social gathering (thanks to RPK, Avtrade and Investec for their support of the summer and winter BRISTAT events in the UK).? I also wrote a few Blogs about industry matters past and present.

Spending more time with my wife (of 52 years), keeping in touch with the industry, playing golf a couple of times a week (whatever the weather) and taking on some of the domestic chores (which, in truth, did not come naturally to me) had got me through this first year of retirement AND THEN something happened……..

I got a NEW JOB!

It was as if someone had injected a new super drug into me.? I had kept in touch with the industry so knew there had been no game changing events over the last year; golf, who cares! (I’m useless at it anyway). Domestic chores – sorry my love, but I’m focused on the new job and don’t have time to vacuum the lounge or wash the dishes today!

I had been appointed as an Expert Witness in an upcoming Court Case regarding a dispute related to an aircraft marketing breach of contract.? Perfect for me and, boy, did I get stuck into it; reading court papers from the Plaintiff and Defendant was like a breath of fresh air.

Alas, my newfound euphoria lasted 36 hours of which I had worked a solid 12 hours on acquainting myself with the facts, with more still to digest.

?Mediation then intervened and after two failed attempts, Plaintiff and Defendant reached agreement on settlement. My NEW JOB was no longer, no Expert Opinion required; euphoria dashed.

I’m playing golf tomorrow; I washed the dishes this morning and I’ll be vacuuming the lounge when I have finished this Blog. Retired life resumed.

However, acting as an Expert Witness could be a new career for me.? So, keep a lookout for any opportunities.??

“In the meantime, there are quite a few career memories that could be the basis of a number of new Blogs.? It’s time to get back to them”

Mike Skinner

#