One less pilot around, and looking for fellow pilot wisdom

[CRJ2008]

Hello everyone

I have been a regional pilot for about two years, and 5 years as a flight instructor before that. Obviously not your long hauler 30 year captain by any means. But these two years were long enough to make me realize that in this profession, there are a lot of sacrifices to face, not just the sacrifices we make as pilots, but our families and loved ones too. These two years made me learn that this job wasn’t me. As of yesterday I am out of my pilot job and on the streets ready to listen to any good advice. I know there is a lot of wisdom and good ideas among fellow pilots.

I am asking for any kind of advice ranging from easy to transition jobs to go to, good jobs in demand, good money jobs. Or anything that you would like to say to somebody leaving the Airline industry like me. It has been a fun journey and one that I needed to make, to realize what is important for me. Thank you all in advance for your honest thoughts.

 

[fubar]

sorry

I clicked the button a little too early. These jobs are obviously not easy and they require some brains (maybe more than I have) and I know they have their own headaches, but, it would be worth a shot. Good luck.

 

[fubar]

mistake

I thought my earlier post went through, but, obviously not. If I lost my aviation job tomorrow, I would try to go into medicine. Any kind of medicine. Tech, Dr., Nurse, Nurse Practitioner. These jobs seem to be in demand and pretty secure (if any job is really secure). Good luck

 

[Hawker800]

Ask yourself what are you interested in. Did you like instructing? If so Flight Safety & Simuflite are options. Pay and bennies are not bad. It all depends on what you are looking for my friend. Good luck to you and your family on whatever you decide.

 

[clr4theapch]

Well we are similar, I left a career to come to aviation only to be out of work.. hopefully you have other skills or schooling to fall back on.. if so find work in the area and go back to CFI or GA for the love of aviation..

I have left the airlines for many of the same reasons you have.. I do miss it, so I found teaching and then back to GA was the best balance for me and my family..

At least you found out early in life and you have time to rearrange your priorities.... Now that your not time building as a CFI, you might want to go back to it with a different motivation now and actually enjoy it knowing that this is where the line is for you and avaition.. it can be quite rewarding to have a little of both worlds.. good luck

 

[MississippiMud]

1) Go to China

2) teach English

3) Marry a china girl

4) use your $$ to buy real estate

5) Step 3 helps you get around the politics of buying their land, so maybe your wife will not mind!!

Joking aside: I have a great flying job (IMHO), but I do not see myself doing this in my 50's. Its quickly turning into a "job" and I'm only 30!! I have thought about it a lot and honestly don't know what I would do besides this. I plan to live WAY below my means, invest wisely and marry a rich woman!! Hopefully Netjets will stay in biz for another 20 years!

Good luck to ya,

Mud

 

[johnsonrod]

I agree that you could find a non-flying job and then supplement that with some instruction on the side for fun and some additional money (maybe one day per week). That way you can still enjoy aviation and maybe remember why you enjoyed it in the first place. That's what I would do...

Good luck.

 

[front9]

Friends, Family and Personal Wealth….these are the three demons’ you must slay if you wish to work in the airline industry. Ever hear the joke, how do you make a small fortune in the airline industry…start with a large one. Sad but true. Dont get me wrong, I still love what I do - just not the same industry it once was.

 

[airdog]

Some thoughts

I'm 59.8 and a new FO..retired corporate attorney who always wanted to fly...I think I understand a little about what you're going through...my thoughts:

1. The most important decisions you'll make in life are: a. who you marry, b. what work you do and c. where you live.

2. a & c are pretty personal, but you've asked about b. The first thing I would do is spend the time and $ to have experts tell you what you're good at and how those skills correlate with people doing similar work who profess to be happy. I highly recommend the Johnson O'Connor Foundation (a non-profit) http://www.jocrf.org/

3. Whatever the answer you come up, don't completely discard flying...you may change your mind in the future..i.e. don't burn bridges, keep the doors open.

Whatever you decide, good luck and God speed!

 

[imisscorplife]

a buddy of mine left Skywest as an RJ Capt. to go to Flightsafety. He frickin loves it!! Makes more $$$ and works about 3 days a week, great incentive plans, benefits, etc. Plus you get a type rating for whichever a/c you end up teaching in. Not to mention all the job offers you will come across while teaching. Good luck!! I left the industry for a year to go back to being a stockbroker..... one year later Im flying again! wtf!!!

 

[wacoflyr]

I went fractional, but I hear you. I may leave this job at some point myself. I suggest checking out what other skills you have, and then seeing how they relate to aviation, a world that you already know. The Flight Safety suggestion is a good one, but hardly unique. Can you write? Lots of technical writing in aviation, most of which is done poorly. Want to sell aircraft? Very profitable. Thought of being a DO at a small time charter outfit? If you've gotten this far in aviation, you clearly know how to learn, and can pay addition to detail. You've acquired the good judgement necessary to make quick and accurate decisions. In other words, you would be good at a variety of jobs, from paralegal to pharm tech. Or go back to school big time and become a lawyer or pharmicist. Just do it for the right reasons, or you will wind up one of those lost souls who hasn't the faintest idea what to do when he(she) grows up.

Wacoflyr

 

[filejw]

Hello everyone

I have been a regional pilot for about two years, and 5 years as a flight instructor before that. Obviously not your long hauler 30 year captain by any means. But these two years were long enough to make me realize that in this profession, there are a lot of sacrifices to face, not just the sacrifices we make as pilots, but our families and loved ones too. These two years made me learn that this job wasn’t me. As of yesterday I am out of my pilot job and on the streets ready to listen to any good advice. I know there is a lot of wisdom and good ideas among fellow pilots.

I am asking for any kind of advice ranging from easy to transition jobs to go to, good jobs in demand, good money jobs. Or anything that you would like to say to somebody leaving the Airline industry like me. It has been a fun journey and one that I needed to make, to realize what is important for me. Thank you all in advance for your honest thoughts.

Well the first thing I would tell you is not to leave one job without an other in hand but to late for that...from a 30 plus yr guy...
try looking in the oil or energy business.

 

[rightseatjocky]

I was a delivery driver for a company called RPS (Roadway Package System) which is now Fedex Ground. They are owner operators for Fedex. You are home every night and owning 2 trucks, I was grossing 125k. Yes, you have to pay for mx and your own taxes, but again, you're home everynight with the kids.
I hope you find what you're looking for. Good luck.

 

[On Your Six]

I agree with J-Rod. Keep your foot in the door by doing some flight instruction on the side. There are plenty of jobs out there and maybe you will find your desire to fly again professionally at some point.

 

[Mercy98]

One of the most difficult things I remember about being furloughed was looking at the "new" bid and not seeing my name on it. Equally as difficult was turning in my ID and walking out of the airport, resigning myself to being just a passenger from that point forward.

That being said, I am still flying. There was a point where I was going to go back to school and go into medicine. My furlough, that time was cancelled. For some reason, this occupation keeps dragging me back for more, and I take it.

Truly, I do love the job. It's just that though...a job. Keep family first. Far too many families have been destroyed by aviation. I know that first hand.

Are you going to try to stay in aviation? Domestically it's very difficult to say the least. If you have to resign your seniority, don't look at that as a bad thing. You might be better off for it. You've lost a job but you haven't lost your abilities. You are a highly trainied individual in a very regimented industry. Hold your head up be proud of yourself when you interview. It will show.

A financial advisor was giving some advice just recently on a business show. One of the things he said was that most people presume that it they lose a $50,000 job they will only find something that pays less. The advisor said that he likes to think that if he is unfortunate enough to lose his job, he's going to find something that pays $70,000. Possible, yes. I think that he's saying it's really up to us to sell ourselves.

Good luck out there. You're never given so much that you can't handle it.

 

[DoubtingThomas]

Bankruptcy attorney.

 

[GCD]

The military is always hiring.

Fly Army!

 

[Vegaspilot99]

You can also check into computers and IT stuff. Thats what I'm doing right now. After 2 regionals, being a frieghtdog, charter and flying the ditch I got fed up that the rewards just aren't there anymore. So far it's not bad and I was lucky enough to be able to stay part time flying a couple days a month to get my fix. I still get withdrawls and miss flying everyday (after doing it for 9 years). And if this industry ever pulls its head out of its a$$, I would come back if the right opportunity presented itself, but for now I'm trying to expand my horizons and enjoy a set, stable schedule. Good luck with your endeavors...hope it all works out!

 

[Roger Roger]

That is a tough decision. I almost did the same thing. There are some books or services that takes a look at what you like to do and has careers that fit those traits.

Have you considered maybe flying for air ambulance companies? Some friends of mine love it. There might be other areas of aviation that might fit your needs.

If you have a 4 year degree have you considered getting your masters? If you are unable to attend classes there are now some reputable schools that offer online classes. Be careful because some school are not accredited, or have a low accreditation.

Good luck

 

[Propsync]

Do anything you want to do. You've got the skill, face it, many don't make it this far. Take what you've learned and just apply it to something new. I work for Fedex as an operations manager, and many skills learned in aircraft transfer to the ground. Quick decisions, sound judgement, ability to lead. Employers are always looking for someone like that. The window view isn't always as nice, but it's a small sacrifice for sanity. Good luck

 

[castle bravo]

I know a guy who left a major to become a nurse anesthestist. The program is about 2 yrs of training and he's making over $100k with decent job security and benefits.

 

[climbhappy]

you shouldn't feel too down because you're message sounds a little melancholy. you sound tired. take a break. do something that challenges you and you enjoy. it ain't over yet but in the end having enough money to live comfortably is a basic and worthy goal.. like the other guy said the medical field is ripe with opportunity... even if you don't do it as a pro, don't quit flying... you never know , for me i have set the bar at 7 years when my kids go to college and I could sell the house and pay cash for something smaller. at that point I might try something radically different.. Bottom line... you're not alone pal..

 

[CRJ2008]

Thank you all very much for your advice, I take every comment and advice serious and I respect it all. Sorry! I didn’t mean to sound negative or tired. I definitely don’t want discourage anybody in any way. I’m very optimistic for this change. I see a lot of positives and good opportunities to do something else that I might love and enjoy, in addition to be able to see my families and friends. In other words, is like seeing a different color at the end of the tunnel not just white. This is exiting and I’m just gathering ideas and comments so that I can choose right this time. Thank you all again

 

[MCDU]

Callboy.

 

[wacoflyr]

Does that pay? Maybe I should work out a little.

 

[Ticker]

As posted earlier, FlightSafety and SimuFlight are solid companies, good pay and bennies, good contacts, and you keep your head in the game.

Also (don't flame me), the FAA is looking for lots of safety inspectors...lots! Bankers hours, weekends and hollidays off, pretty decent benifits and around 70k per year to start.

I'm considering both myself. That said, read my thread posted here...

http://forums.flightinfo.com/showthread.php?t=114692&page=1

It got taken out of the majors forum and promptly died.

 

[Vegaspilot99]

I've had my stuff in at the FAA for about 6 months now, but they have a hiring freeze in the western region right now. We'll see.