Woman, 58, becomes flight attendant

LONDON, Sept. 1 (UPI) -- A 58-year-old Englishwoman has finally realized her ambition of becoming a flight attendant with British Overseas Airways Corporation.

Patricia Fitzgerald was turned down when she applied for the job at age 19. Instead, she became a clerical worker for the airline and worked her way up to more responsible jobs.

But she recently decided it was time to live her dream -- and to take advantage of new laws that require BOAC to hire flight attendants up to age 62. When she first applied, the airline would hire no one over 30.

Fitzgerald said she is happy, even though she had to take a pay cut.

"It's been so empowering and it is easy to get into a rut in life,” she told The Daily Mail. “To go and do something to challenge yourself is really important. It is a dream come true. I am proud to say I am approaching 60 and have just joined a cabin crew."

Fitzgerald has already worked flights to Australia and Russia. She is the oldest flight attendant in Britain.