Aisha’s New Ride: From Heels to Heavy Machinery
When the world threw a curveball (aka the Covid‑19 pandemic), Aisha Abdul Rahman swapped her 2‑inch stilettos for practical boots and chewing gum for a hard‑shelled coverall. Beside the glamorous world of travel, she now climbs inside a cargo deck in the belly of the beast, moving crates that can weigh a whole 500 kilograms—just like a real-life forklift superhero.
Why the Jolt?
Once a seasoned passenger service agent at Changi Airport for over 13 years—including a stint with Dnata—Aisha had never imagined her life would take a spin so dramatic. When the pandemic hit, the only thing that kept her going was the fear of losing her livelihood. Being a mother of five (the youngest is just five years old) and caring for elderly parents over 70, she couldn’t afford a safety net that didn’t exist.
Standing on the Frontlines
During the circuit breaker lockdown in April, Aisha was temporarily assigned to a community centre run by the People’s Association as a customer service staff. That role was a step forward—yet it also meant stepping into front‑line danger with daily exposure to the virus. Aisha told her mother, “We must trust whatever the universe drafts us into; nobody can guard the future.” That seemed to calm her fear, and she found herself with a morning shift that let her spend more time with her kids who range from 5 to 18.
Hurdles on the Horizon
Regardless of the brave front‑line service she embraced, Aisha knew climbing that safety wall in job security was a breath‑less sense. She was mindful that financial commitments had a “firm centre”: pay every month or family goes hollow. The stakes were high, and the pandemic made the stakes even higher. The very idea of a better, safer job was now on her radar.
Reaching for New Gear
Weeks later, a call from her company presented a cargo department opening. A cargo agent was a domain that had never crossed her mind. In an hour, she decided to hop back into the airport life, not as a receptionist or stewardess, but as a cargo terminal queen soaring in an “unglam” outdoor arena.
- 12‑hour shifts working under the scorching sun and a relentless dust storm.
- A clear view of the flight schedules for each day’s cargo arrival.
- Picking up each load and sliding it to its designated storage area on the runway.
It wasn’t a glamorous role at all, but it was a role that mattered. The heaviness of her responsibility was now measured in actual kilograms, and fortunately, it was a role that she could show her family. Aisha’s journey—replacing glossy cosmetics with sturdy gear—talks straight for anyone who thinks a career change is a step into the unknown. It turns into a reminder: change isn’t just landing on a new job; it’s approaching overall shifts and making cash flow even more sturdy. A solid life isn’t about what you love, but what you can provide.
Life Behind the Chill‑Chill Wall
From Glorious Airport Lobbies to Strict Freezer Tunnels
Aisha’s routine used to be a fly‑by of the sunny terminal floors at Changi Airport—cloaked in air‑conditioning bliss, sipping iced beverages and strolling from lounge to lounge. But now she’s boxed in the cool‑chain corridors, where the temperature stays way below your brunch‑time thermostat.
“I’m stuck and can’t go anywhere,” she jokes, puffing a little breath of irony, “and that’s why I’ve gained weight.” A little humor, big appetite for change.
Cool Chain Queen: Everyday Essentials in the Cold Chain
Her desk is a ‘gift‑pack’ of goodies that all rely on temperature control: flowers that won’t wilt but still smell smelling, perishable fruits that’ll shout to the world about freshness, and even pharma products that have a serious science behind them.
Unexpected Cargo: The Warehouse’s Wild Side
- Token Pup: One time she heard a puppy’s yelp echo through the storage hallway, surprised at the sheer range of goods that could show up in a shipment— from fur to demo samples.
- Mice Misprint: While flipping a checklist, “mice” appeared on her list. It turned out to be a misprint, playing a cute trick on her new‑to‑the-team curiosity.
Back when she was a rookie on the crew, Aisha loved to ask questions that brought smiles. She turned herself into the crew’s “joker”— keeping everyone laughing while mastering the job.
‘My hands shook’: Operating a forklift for the first time
Aisha’s Cool Cold Quest
Picture this: Aisha swaps her crisp uniform for a shiny yellow safety vest, a snug winter jacket, and a pair of boots that can handle a chill down to -25 °C. She’s about to tackle a freezingly cold stock‑take in the refrigerator warehouse.
The Easy Part
The freezer itself? A piece of cake. But the real oomph comes when she inserts herself into the heavy lifting side of the job.
Forklift Fears (and a Bicycle Phobia)
Aisha admits, “I don’t drive, and I have a phobia of riding a bicycle. Imagine my hands shaking the first time I hopped into a forklift.” The trembling was so intense she “sweated like I’d just done half an hour of aerobics.”
Learning to Drop a Crate (With a Little Help)
Her teammates were the most supportive crew you can hope for. They told her, “It’s okay to drop a crate once; everyone has to get the hang of it.” That encouragement started to dissolve her anxiety.
Feeling the Pressure
- First day: “I was shy and scared, thinking folks would judge me.”
- Only full‑time female in a male‑dominated team.
- She tackled those fears with a mental pep‑talk: “Hey, don’t be afraid—get over it, learn it, master it.”
Eight Months Later
Now, the idea of operating a forklift still tickles her sense of humor. It’s a testament to her growth, a first‑of‑its‑kind demo that even her former peers doubted she could pull off. Aisha’s story shows that a little confidence, a giggle, and a supportive crew can turn doubters into champions—even in the coldest, toughest spots.
From Spreadsheets to Forklifts: Aisha’s Roller‑Coaster Journey
Picture this: Aisha, a veteran of Changi’s customer‑service grind, is suddenly handed a forklift. “Aisha, this job isn’t for you, you can’t operate a forklift?” the passengers’ crew say, not in a condescending way but because they’ve watched every “train or die” bus‑stop video on the wall.
Not Trashing Her Skills, Just a Speaking‑Of‑Safety Debate
- “Some of us get the kan choong talk,” she laughs, recalling how a colleague whispered, “You’re the can‑cheong type.” Then she rolls her eyes, like: “Oh freckled kids, nobody tells you to flob on prison scum.”
- But Aisha’s reply is simple – she sweeps them off the floor and keeps the thing moving.
Two Worlds, One Mission
Aisha says it feels like flipping a coin: two sides of the same coin, just in different spots. On one side it’s a cosy, familiar floor, on the other a big, open yard that smells like steel and diesel. Whatever the setting, she’s still delivering service.
Stays to the Home Front, Keeps Tiny Prospects Safe
- Aisha’s 12‑hour shifts either start at 8 a.m. or finish at 8 p.m. – and she still has the energy to be the only parent home.
- Her husband’s stuck in Australia, on quarantine until the pandemic eases. “I’ve not seen him since 2019.”
- She uses the phone to talk every day, just to make sure everything’s going live at home.
Crash‑Course on People Would Hurt
First time the juggling hit the ceiling, Aisha burst into tears, admitting she was on the brink. She’s already out said, “My kids are my whole existence, and I can’t afford to give up.” She’s ready to keep going even if she needs a break.
Mastery Is a Time‑Consuming Zapic
Aisha dreams of keeping her skills sharp and reading them in both departments, ‘cause she loves the job now. “I’m not picky; I want it with all my heart,” she says.
The Ultimate All‑Or‑Nothing Myth
- She reminds the reader: “Our gender, our age should not be reason to say no.”
- Instead, she urges a buy‑in, saying, “If you think a job is impossible, you’ve never proven it.”
- So stop yourself from thinking it’s out of reach: stick it on a split, say yes and then realize you’re spread; you will not lose your knack.
Aisha’s example is a celebration. She stayed strong, flipped a fork, and grabbed the opportunity to thrive for her kids and for herself. In the end, the story reminds us: you are the driver of your personal reality; we all have the ability to steer in random directions to see what is simply possible, just keeping the routes of the weekdays set, and remote working baked directly into required framework.
