Furloughed, now what?

[Tooslow]

I was wondering, out of all you major airline pilots who are furloughed what are you doing for work. I am furloughed from ACA, still waiting for a Comair letter. I am trying to decide what to do. Should I Find anything that has to do with flying or do something else other than flying until I get called. I worry I might forget too much if I don't fly at all. Any comments please...................................I know this is the "Majors" section, but you guys have more experience.

 

[ultrarunner]

Unless you HAVE to work, I'd take advantage of the 40 weeks of unemployment...or however much of it you need. Maybe do some CFI stuff on the side...keep you in it.

Now, you circumstances may dictate otherwise, so your mileage may vary, as they say.

The letter your waiting for??? A class date letter. Have you been hired?

If so, I'd try to best guage how long you might have to wait, and go from there.

 

[Tooslow]

Ultrarunner

I am planning on waiting about a year and a half for ACA to call me back, or "IF" I get hired, "Already Interviewed" by Comair about 2 months. If I decide to wait for ACA and/or don't get hired by Comair, what should I do while I wait. Do a lot of you experienced pilots who have gotten furloughed work other than flying until you get called back? Does it "ALL Come Back" quickly or do you regret not flying while you were furloughed?

 

[Otto_Pilot]

I think a lot of it depends upon your personal family circumstances and your work-ethic.

Personally I went out and got a flying job -- any flying job -- so that there would be no employment gaps and so that I could remain current.

I won't lie to you -- it was not a particularly good job, but what it did was take a lot of pressure off of me. It is much easier to hunt for a good job while you're currently receiving a paycheck and continuing to fly.

Interviews are much easier when the question inevitably comes up, "What have you been doing to stay current?"

It sounds a lot better to say, "I took employment flying part 135 single-pilot night freight in a Grumman Tiger" then to say, "I played flight simulator on my home computer."

That being said, you may have a family and a commitment to remain in one area geographically. and keep food on the table. If that is the case there is nothing dishonerable about getting a non-flying job. You have to do what you have to do. During what little free time you have available, hopefully you will be able to fly a bit or even flight instruct free-lance.

A furlough is also an excellent opportunity to enhance your qualifications -- maybe get another rating or an advanced degree. Personally, during one furlough I earned my dispatchers rating. Dispatchers do not need a medical so it is something nice to fall back on. If you're young enough you could apply to air-traffic control school. That is a fantastic government job but, unfortunately, has age restrictions on it.

Hopefully Comair will come through for you. If it doesn't, however, try to view your furlough as an opportunity. You got the job once -- you can do it again!

Good luck!

 

[AJWick]

Hey tooslow,

sorry about the furlough...most of us know what you are going through.

anyhow....do a search for WIA funding on flightinfo and you may find links to funding for a type rating (for example). Each state is different...so you will need to check with your state to see what funds are available, if any.

Last year, I had the state of PA pay for a type rating. That was about 8 months after I was furloughed....It was nice to get back in the cockpit and it got me current again. Not too difficult. It all comes back by the way.

Good Luck.

aj

 

[ultrarunner]

Re: Ultrarunner

I am planning on waiting about a year and a half for ACA to call me back, or "IF" I get hired, "Already Interviewed" by Comair about 2 months. If I decide to wait for ACA and/or don't get hired by Comair, what should I do while I wait.

As Otto said, it all depends upon your particular situation....

When I was furloughed I took advantage of unemployment for a bit, cashed in on the WIA funding, started doing some part-time contract work (I was previous a corp. pilot, so I had a buch of type ratings that allowed me that option) and then took a full-corporate gig right here at home shortly thereafter. I wasn't concerned at all about employment gaps. That's me....

Everyone's example is different. As are everyones needs.

Remember, unless you have an "offer in hand", you're out of work, and it would be prudent to reverse that.....

 

[dlredline]

TooSlow,

I agree with a previous post, check out the WIA funding for a type rating. A great way to advance your qualifications and "marketability" when things turn around. And the suggestion to go out and get your dispatchers certificate is a GREAT one. Realitively easy to complete, and my twin brother (a corporate dispatcher) tells me there are ample job opportunites all over the country for dispatchers, both regionally and corporate.

I would caution you, though, not to rely on anything out of your control. A letter of intent with any carrier, or recall rights, DO NOT guarantee future employment. I've been at this a little longer than you, and I've found that you tend to make your own breaks. Don't sit and wait for something that may never happen. Get proactive now.

And I also wouldn't worry about the "what did you do to stay current" question in a future interview. If you have the ability to fly, great, do so. But these are unusual times, and a tactful response ("I first looked at maintaining my currency by flying, but my family is my primary responsibility, and I needed to provide for them first. I still continue to seek employment in aviation, too") will go a long way to show your value system to any recruiter.

Good luck to you. I truly wish you the best. These are difficult times, I know (I, for one, was furloughed from a major airline after 15 years, but now I'm in Phase 2 at JetBlue and couldn't be more excited), but these times will pass, and better times will soon shine upon us all.

DL

 

[BigFlyr]

Unless you HAVE to work, I'd take advantage of the 40 weeks of unemployment...or however much of it you need. Maybe do some CFI stuff on the side...keep you in it.

Having been furloughed 4 times in less than 3 years, all from different companies, I consider myself somewhat of an expert on the subject...Not just losing jobs, but getting them as well. Start working on your unemployment benefits right away and start targeting companies that you wouldn't mind flying for as a long term career choice (be realistic). As for anything else, don't shoot yourself in the foot by making yourself inelligible for unemployment benefits, and especially don't jeapordize your career by working for a shadey or less than safe operation.

As far as staying current is concerned, I don't think it really matters unless you're trying to market yourself as "current and qualified" (type rated and 8410) in a particular aircraft type. Good luck!

 

[skirt]

Tooslow,

What to do depends on where you want to be in 5-10 years. Do some soul searching and decide if aviation is where you want to hang your hat. If it is, then you have to keep in aviation. Getting a Home Depot job, or whatever, does not help you out at all. You also can't sit around waiting for the Comair job.

There are flying jobs, but they don't land in your lap. Dig around and find out what companies are looking for, and what you have now. Use the WIA money, or scholarships or anything you can to dig up some good leads. Maybe a corporate type would be a good thing, if you can dig up some leads in the corporate world.

I just read about a job at some midwest college for a 141 flight instructor job/chief pilot, that had good bennys and gave free tuition to you, spouse and kids. Not a bad place to park yourself for a bit if you have college age kids, or you or your spouse need more college.

My point is that there are NO jobs if you just sit around looking on the computer. The only way to find jobs is to begin physically searching, calling, visiting, networking, etc.

Good luck, keep digging.

Skirt

 

[banger]

Hey Skirt

Skirt
Any luck with jetBlue? Your well documented research and posts seem to indicate you would be a "shoe-in" Hope you got what you wanted. -Best of luck.

 

[Steeler Fan]

Are you too old for the military??

Having been furloughed for 20 months now, I feel very grateful that I stayed in the AF Reserve. I made pretty decent $$ while staying current on a turbine aircraft. I know people who quit because it can be really hard to balance a family, and 2 flying jobs, but it is an awesome security blanket to have.

I would NOT recommend flying for the military unless you are prepared to serve your country. Given the state of the world, SERVICE BEFORE SELF is definitely more than a catch phrase.

Hopefully, you'll see that you do have options...

Maybe you could marry a wealthy woman and she can keep you in the lifestyle you're accustomed to

 

[skirt]

Re: Hey Skirt

Any luck with jetBlue? Your well documented research and posts seem to indicate you would be a "shoe-in"

Banger,

Thank you for asking. As a matter of fact, I'm not at JetBlue. Humble-pie tastes pretty good, especially when blue is one of the ingredients.

It doesn't change my opinion of the company. I think the leadership as the vision and values to go far. I wouldn't doubt if someday they are considered one of the best places to work in America. The secret is getting out. Customers like it too, obviously.

Skirt

 

[banger]

Our loss

Skirt
I think we lost a good one. Guess the system can't be perfect. Please apply again as the company holds a high opinion of people who continue to try. Maybe twice will be the charm.
Best wishes

 

[dlredline]

Banger,

Not to worry. My gut instincts tell me Skirt should be receiving a phone call soon to interview at JetBlue, and hopefully the two of us will be battling each other next year for long LAS overnights with unslappable grins on our faces from the renewed joy our career paths have finally taken with JetBlue. Skirt is exactly what JetBlue is looking for in a fun, professional crewmember.

DL

 

[skirt]

Dlredline and Banger,

Thanks guys. You both are at a great company (yes, dl, I'm counting you as good as hired...let us know when you get the call). Whether I am on the outside or inside, it doesn't matter, I hope JB does well. Your company, your crewmembers and your leaders serve as a model of "how to do it right" for the rest of the industry and the rest of the corporate world.

Skirt