A trained Edinburgh pilot has spoken about how he has had to take a job at Amazon's Fife distribution centre after the dramatic collapse of airline Flybe, but says he appreciates being given the opportunity to work by the retail giant.
Greg previously worked as a pilot for Flybe for three years based in Edinburgh Airport and flew to many regional airports across the UK and at times to Europe, prior to this he was a flight instructor for four years.
Sadly due to the collapse of Flybe Greg was made unemployed and he decided to apply for a job at Amazon as it fitted in well with his lifestyle due to the shift patterns.
Greg who is originally from Bathgate, is currently working in the shipping department at the fulfilment centre.
Greg, said: “I appreciate being given the opportunity to work at this time. It's not a nice feeling being without anything and so I am just so appreciative to be working at Amazon.
"I've been able to meet a lot of great people from all different backgrounds, and yet very similar situations to myself.
"I hope to fly again soon and may go back into instructing depending on how quickly the airline industry recovers.”
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Greg isn't the only worker who has joined Amazon after having his career put on hold by the coronavirus pandemic
Amazon has hired more than 15,000 people in both full and part-time positions to keep up with the increase in demand since the pandemic began.
People from a variety of careers have joined the online delivery service - including an arborist, architect, beautician, lifeguard scientist, singer and tattooists.
With the travel and tourism, construction and education some of the many sectors placed on hold, thousands of people have turned to the distribution giant for work.
Like Greg, many other Scots have picked up temporary roles at the Amazon fulfilment centre in Dunfermline, which is the largest in the UK.
Elaine Warburton from Fife and her husband John both joined Amazon’s fulfilment centre in Dunfermline after their dog boarding business was put on hold.
The Dog lovers had run the Barking Mad Fife and Kinross franchise for six years before the pandemic put everything on hold.
Elaine, said: “On the 24th March our business, home-from-home doggy holidays, stopped immediately.
"We suddenly found ourselves with no money coming in and still having bills to pay. I heard about the opportunity to work night shifts at Amazon and immediately applied.
"The job brings in a much-needed income but also gives me and the family a structure and routine to the week which is very helpful in these troubled times."
A Fife scientist is also amongst those who have found themselves taking up shifts for Amazon in Dunfermline during lockdown.
Physicist Alasdair worked as a research scientist in the field of quantum technology at the University of Strathclyde.
But as lockdown loomed his contract ended which made trying to get a job relevant to his field impossible.
Alasdair from Dunfermline has been picking up shifts in the mean time while searching for a new job in physics
Alasdair added: “The best thing about working at Amazon is that the people are laidback and easy-going and the job is a lot more relaxed than expected."
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