Airline Pilot Forums

I'm just thinking out loud, but I have the opportunity to accept a job outside of flying that pays about 3 times what I'm making now. It is in a really crappy place, and I would have to be there for a whole year. 6 day work weeks, 10 hour days. Two breaks of two weeks each, at 4 month intervals.

I like the money. That's about it.

So, the getting back into flying after a year off. The chances of me getting a job in the US (that I want) is somewhat slim, and foreign contracts generally want recency / currency.

Thoughts?

can the contract go longer than a year if you wanted? I kinda think you made up your mind with your last comment.

Life is risk. When I was laid off after one year of being out of the saddle my career was effectively dead in the water. 200K is a lot of money though. If your goal was to get out of aviation then perhaps this is your opportunity.

Have you considered applying for a leave of absence for one year?

Skyhigh

If you can find a way to keep every cent, and the tax mans hands off of it, go for it.

A few short years ago I would've agreed that being out of flying for a year would be detrimental. But now, it is becoming more and more the norm with everyone out of work. I believe that employers are starting to see that.

Sounds like an Iraq or Afghanistan gig.

playing with big r/c planes in the sandbox!!

I'm just thinking out loud, but I have the opportunity to accept a job outside of flying that pays about 3 times what I'm making now. It is in a really crappy place, and I would have to be there for a whole year. 6 day work weeks, 10 hour days. Two breaks of two weeks each, at 4 month intervals.

I like the money. That's about it.

So, the getting back into flying after a year off. The chances of me getting a job in the US (that I want) is somewhat slim, and foreign contracts generally want recency / currency.

Thoughts?

If you don't want it can you direct me towards it?

If you don't want it can you direct me towards it?


It's in a field that requires specialized experience / licenses that aren't that common.

If you can find a way to keep every cent, and the tax mans hands off of it, go for it.

It's outside the US, which applies to my current airline job. So same IRS rules apply. $91k-ish tax free, taxes apply to everything above that.

Life is risk. When I was laid off after one year of being out of the saddle my career was effectively dead in the water. 200K is a lot of money though. If your goal was to get out of aviation then perhaps this is your opportunity.

Have you considered applying for a leave of absence for one year?

Skyhigh


Sky,

I think this is the best idea you've come up with !!!! I actually didn't consider a one year absence. It is possible.

I don't want to get out of aviation flying, but I "time out" in 16 years anyway. I am vested in a nice government pension plan, so I am going to eat when I'm 100.

I can live with or without the money this job would provide. But, for a very straight forward one year gig, I have to consider it.

I've sent my preliminary stuff to the potential employer, so I'm probably weeks away from a definitive go/no-go decision.

In the year, I'd probably study to complete the UK-CAA / JAA / JAR / EASA written exams for the ATPL (yes, I have right to work in EU).

I'm currently working on an entirely separate gig, to fly the B737NG with my current employer. I'll complete the training in October. Should that not pan out, I really see no upside to continue flying around in a CRJ. There just aren't good paying jobs in the US, and in the world, there are VERY few opportunities in that fleet. At my company, the pay is the same for the seat... equipment doesn't matter.

Nobody will care at the next job whether I have 2000 or 5000 hours in a CRJ.

How bad do you need the money? CENTCOM / AFRICOM jobs are generally no fun, they have to drag me kicking and screaming anymore and at least I get my old job back when I'm done.

I have advised other civilians on this sort of thing...basically you should either need the money very badly, or have a plan to leverage the money to build a better life when you get back. If the cash will allow you to transition into a new profession, new home, or pay off old debts it just might be worth doing. But have a plan, otherwise the money won't last and you just blew a year of your life on suck.

I call BS on this...I've been doing the CENTCOM contracting gig for years and it doesn't suck...The living conditions don't either...They can - but that's mostly for people who don't have a skill set that's in demand...

I'm not using the money to improve my lifestyle...Have no debt and have the toys and house paid off. I put the money in the bank and keep making more while I enjoy my beer after work and go into town to shop / party...

Have you ever been deployed?

Make sure you are still healthy (and alive) after this job.

As far as getting back in the game - are you a current airline pilot now? Are you thinking to take a LOA or resigning?

Make sure you are still healthy (and alive) after this job.

As far as getting back in the game - are you a current airline pilot now? Are you thinking to take a LOA or resigning?


Yes, current airline pilot. I will attempt the former, and expect the latter.

So what did you end up doing?

So what did you end up doing?

I actually went for the money, and was there a month. Came home (I can go back). Awaiting recurrent training at my airline.

Have no idea what I'll be doing Jan 1, 2011.

I actually went for the money, and was there a month. Came home (I can go back). Awaiting recurrent training at my airline.

Have no idea what I'll be doing Jan 1, 2011.

Now what are you doing?

I'm in Italy on an extended vacation. I found a new friend:

http://i565.photobucket.com/albums/ss92/TonyWilliams/Italy2011rome71.jpg