What's everyones backup career ?

[satpak77]

Question is just what it says...yes, I know we are Pilots forever and we can't leave the blue yonder, the friendly skies, etc etc blah blah. For some the sky is the limit, for us the sky is home, etc etc ad nauseum.

Now, back to reality, paying the rent and light bill dictate otherwise, and reality sets in. Only so many ex-ATA/Spriit/EOS/Aloha/Frontier etc pilots (read: all airline equipment) can go to FlexJets or SWA.

FedEx and UPS ain't hiring.

What is everyones back-up plan? Is it temporary/between airline jobs or will it be permanent?

Discuss....this is arguably the WORST era of commerical aviation job/career prospects and security in history.

 

[wings421]

The lottery...

On a serious note, for me it will depend on whether or not my airline liquidates or if its just a few year furlough.

Just a furlough and I might try to find a non aviation job working outdoors and live off the lady's income or instruct at the local university.

Liquidation and I'd just have to evaluate whats going on in the industry. Job prospects at all? If not, who knows.

With a backup plan like that I guess I better hope to stay employed...

 

[IslandDriver]

Back to the ER as a Nurse...never took my hand out of it and people are always sick and or hurting themselves...if it is a layoff I might try and take the time and go to PA school.

It pays as much as a commuter captain...but is a lot more work and not as fun!

 

[Patriot328]

Vote for Obama and suck off the government teat......

 

[reepicheep]

Marry well.

 

[CaptSeth]

Smoking pole is the way to go. Pay is lousy, but the tips are great.

 

[Rez O. Lewshun]

Contemplating that the GWB three year professional pilot career isn't that great?

 

[JoeMerchant]

Hey Rez....don't you have a back up job waiting for you in Herndon?

 

[OMNIDC10FO]

Shawarma King of Nicollet Mall! Mention this post and get a 10% "Airline" discount!

 

[skyaddict]

Hey no worries, there's a pilot shortage, didn't you hear?

 

[Dude]

I have lived most of my life considering what I would do if the world, as I knew it, went to hell. After many years of wasteful worry and trying to apply logic to folks that exist without it, I have chosen to live until I die. My realm of expertise is within the walls of a simulator, cockpit, or bathroom stall (excluding MSP). Outside of those locales, my opinion, thoughts, judgements are futile and my efforts to rearrange things are a distraction from my family and my time which are too important to sacrifice.

My backup will be decided when the need arises to have one. As a result of being poor for the first ten years of my aviation journey, my default emotion is worry and strategic planning. Given our environment and the state of ethics in this country, I will continue to enjoy myself, responsibly, until the status quo changes. I have turned FNC, MSNBC, and CNN off. My television experience is now relegated to Little Bear, Franklin, or the Wiggles. Life is too short to give a %#$@ about matters that do not require your input or consideration. They will be what they will be.

Don't spend money like you're in the NBA, save a little, invest a little, and enjoy your life. The circumstances surrounding GoJets, Freedom, Skybus, Virgin, etc......who cares? What will you do about it if you have the opportunity? My guess is little. Life is full of choices; so let people make them and therefore, live with them.

 

[johnsonrod]

I really only have two choices:

1. School bus driver
2. Soldier of fortune (mohawk haircut required)

 

[Ex737Driver]

Vote for Obama and suck off the government teat......

You beat me to it.

 

[Lear70]

Chippendale's.

Seriously... I'm that hot. Chicks dig scars, and airline glory lives forever.

I'm thinking of using some of my uniforms in my costume. I have 5 different color combinations... maybe mix and match a little. The Flexjet blue compliments my eyes...

 

[TXDanno]

I really only have two choices:

1. School bus driver
2. Soldier of fortune (mohawk haircut required)

I think the mohawk would get you farther in the school bus driver field than in the professional adventurer realm. The discrete professional adventurer does not want to stand out like that. It provides too much of a target--politically, socially and live fire-wise.

I chose to get the military retirement squared away before working on the airline thing, so I got that going for me, which is nice.

I'm also doing some part-time simulator instructing for a contractor on my (former) airbase. It is a nice bridge, and could open some other doors, as required.

 

[jimcav]

Go back on the juice, bulk up to about 260 and be a bouncer at a titty bar.

 

[i'mbatman]

Discuss....this is arguably the WORST era of commerical aviation job/career prospects and security in history.

This isn't even close to 9/12/01 and the next few years after that.

 

[Rez O. Lewshun]

Hey Rez....don't you have a back up job waiting for you in Herndon?

Maybe. How's your primary "pro bono F&H" job?

Vote for Obama and suck off the government teat......

Amazing....

So you advocate your jobs being eliminated based on free market forces. You don't mind starting over as many times as the free market can recycle you.

And when you get laid off again and again, you want nothing from gov't. No job retraining, no loans, nothing...

Being an Air Line Pilot is not an asset to our nations economy? You like be equated to a hotel maid.



Chickens voting for Frank Purdue....

 

[Rez O. Lewshun]

 

[CopilotDoug]

Rez, I like the Chickens comment :beer:

Me? Professional Bass fisherman.