Filipina Pilot, Chezka Gonzales-Garrido’s Inspiring Journey from Cabin to Cockpit

30-year-old Chezka Gonzales-Garrido is the newly-qualified pilot from the Philippines who is inspiring all aspiring female pilots out there!

She originally graduated with a degree of Bachelor of Science in Nursing from FEU, all while balancing time as a new mom.

But the gorgeous lady also dreamed of becoming a pilot one day, that’s why she decided to make a career change eventually.

For the first six years, Chezka trained as a flight attendant before she continued her dream of flying an Airbus 320.

Photo Source: Filipinapilotchezka | Instagram

Recently, Pilot Chezka shared a post on Facebook that shows her 2013 and 2019 photos. In the caption of the photo, she wrote:

“Picture on the left was taken 6 years ago when I asked the co-pilot if I could sit on his chair, borrow his cap and take a picture…. 6 years later , it’s the same chair, but the cap is now mine, no need to ask permission to sit and i can now take unlimited photos. Do you think it’s time someone borrow my cap?”

Photo Source: Filipinapilotchezka | Instagram 

Based on her post, the first photo was taken in 2013, when she was still a flight attendant, while the second photo was recently taken when Chezka was already a licensed pilot.

Now, Chezka has finally achieved her goals and flies private planes.

Photo Source: Filipinapilotchezka | Instagram 

In an interview with preen.ph last month, Chezka shared that she was often discriminated for being a female pilot by some passengers.

According to her, “The passengers would ask, ‘Is it safe? Because [the pilot] is a woman.”

She also hopes to inspire more people who also wish to become a pilot someday.

“For the aspiring pilots out there, strike whilst the iron is hot! Let your passion roar like the engines of an airplane. Turn your energy into productivity and the reward would be all worth it,” she told Caravan Pilots.

Photo Source: Filipinapilotchezka | Instagram 

“I’m telling you, it only gets better and the learning process is fun so do not falter, keep your head up and keep inspired!!”

The 30-year-old lady Pilot has worked really hard to get to where she is today, and couldn’t be prouder of her achievements.

Photo Source: Filipinapilotchezka | Instagram 

In an inspiring Instagram post, she wrote:

“I could say one of the most important days of my life…letting me be a full-pledged First Officer. Thank you Lord for all the blessings.

“I am excited for more and more blessings so that, I, too shall be a blessing to others.”

Chezka also got the chance to fly her parents to Malaysia as her “VVIP” passengers.

Aside from that, she was also chosen as one of the awardees of ‘Istorya ng Pag asa’ (Story of Hope), which is organized by the Office of the Vice President of the Philippines and Far Eastern University, where the lady pilot was an alumni student.

source: gtgoodtimes