Many pilots and cabin crews are now being retrenched due to the pandemic. Some have taken the initiative to find side income during these difficult times – this includes a former Malaysian Airlines (MAS) pilot, Naeem Nassir who recently lost his job and decided to open a burger stall called Smashed Burgers.
Naeem Nassir secured a job with Oman Air in 2018 and was retrenched earlier this year because of the pandemic

Naeem Nassir knew he could no longer keep his job as aviation industry worst hit by Covid-19. He has been a pilot with Malaysia Airlines (MAS) from 2014 until 2018 before securing a job with Oman Air in 2018. However, he received the termination letter from the airline this year because of the pandemic. He knows that the aviation industry will take time to recover and he has to do something.
He was craving for burgers just like the ones he had in Oman

He then took up freelancing drone videography but it was hard to sustain as it’s a niche market. As a newcomer, he found it difficult to get a job in the drone business as compared to those with connections and experiences.
Naeem together with his wife were jobless for months at stayed a home during lockdown. They were craving for burgers just like the ones they had in Oman. According to him, there’s something unique about the Oman burgers because they serve smashed patties and it’s very famous.
He then decided to learn how to make his favourite Oman burgers by doing research and experiment on the recipes. He self-taught by watching TV and Youtube tutorials and practised making the burgers in his kitchen every night for a few weeks.
He spent months doing research and experiment on the recipes. Now, the burger stall has been operating for 2 months in Shah Alam

Thus, Naeem opened a street burger stall known as Smashed Burger which is located in Shah Alam and has been operating for 2 months now. He wants to provide an affordable smashed burgers with the same quality as the expensive version that he had back in Oman.
He is currently running Smashed Burger with the support of his wife. The burgers are made out of 100% Australian beef and have been sold out everyday! The burger stall is located at Bukit Jelutong, Shah Alam and operates from 5:30pm-11pm.
He was used to food being served to him while now, he is responsible for serving his customer’s food

The ex-pilot shared that the transition from a pilot to selling burgers was drastic. “I was so used to being in the comfort of a cockpit, managing switches and flying planes to something new which was constantly standing by the side of a hot grill”, he said.
He also mentioned that when he was a pilot, he was used to food being served to him while now, he is responsible for serving his customer’s food. The burgers are priced RM10 and up with free delivery within the area for a minimum purchase of RM20.
Many other pilots and cabin crews are resorting to other sources of income due to the pandemic. Most of them venturing into the F&B business. You can read other inspiring story of an ex-pilot who runs a food stall in Subang. Read here M’sian Pilot Dressed In Full Uniform While Selling Food At His Stall
Smashed Burger
Address: Zubair Bistro, Bukit Jelutong
Hours: 5:30pm – 11pm
Instagram: @smashedburger