cargo hopeful

I’m not sure how many of you out there get the subscription to the Flying magazine, but my brother does. So I picked it up and started flipping through the pages and stopped at the Les Abend article titled “Day Job.” It was a good read and Les talked about how his co pilot on their scheduled trip had a “side job” involving different government contracts managing aircraft operations and flight crews. On that same flight, even the relief officer had a part time job renovating homes in his spare time. Then Les goes on to question himself, “When had my career turned into a side job? All things considered, a very good read and Les also delves into more details as to why there is the need for a side job. After reading the article it just hit me that this was going to be like shooting fish in a barrel for sky high, so I figured I’d beat him to the punch and make him aware of the article… as if he wasn’t already.

FlyerJosh

The question though is were these side jobs out of necessity or desire? Anything can be skewed one way or another. Some folks need side jobs. I would surmise that most of the folks that Les flies with don't need them to survive. They might need them to support their "high end lifestyle."

My wife says that my current job isn't really a job. Instead she jokes that it's a hobby that pays the mortgage. I have other pursuits (some of them financial) which you could call "side jobs", but I do them out of pleasure rather than necessity.

Of course with many regionals these days, side jobs are (unfortunately) necessary to survive.

Albief15

To me, one of the biggest perks of the airline industry is that you can (at the right carrier) have some down time to pursue other passions.

For some guys--its businesses or money. Other guys get to be really good golfers/kayakers/big game hunters/aerobatic pilots/etc etc etc.

For me, I consider my side gigs "work", but work that is a passion and I'd probably do for free if it wasn't a business. So while it may appear at times I'm "working" on time off, it you work at something you enjoy it hardly feels like work.

I don't think you'll see many successful pilots working in cubicles or retail outlets for other people. However, you may seem them busting their butts doing things that they ENJOY doing. And after having your future determined by a seniority number, stock holders, and a cyclic economy, its kind of cool to have something that you feel like you have a bit more control over.

btwissel

with jobs that have lots of downtime a lot of people find ways to make their hobbies pay.

my dad's a firefighter and he had central air conditioning, a new deck, 6 car garage, and driveway put in by other firefighters that had side jobs in the construction field. not to mention the dozens of cars he's repaired and/or maintained for other firefighters for some side money over the years.

tomgoodman

Side jobs that yield real income for real work are probably a better deal than some of the harebrained schemes pilots used to invest in. One friend was given good advice by a financial expert: "Son, the best thing for you to do is fly airplanes, pay your taxes, and enjoy your time off."

aa73

That is exactly my motto. I got into this career to be OFF on my days off... as in, not doing anything else and spending time with the family. Luckily, I have a relatively cheap house and no toys so I can pull it off without an extra job. The only downside to this is that I wold have to find a new flying job if we shut down, whereas those with side jobs just kind of "slide over". Ah well, I chose the risk I live with it.

Spartan07

SKYHigh isn't our resident negative Nancy anymore. Ever since he bought that 150 he has been a lot more... not quite optimistic... but not so negative

XJPILOT1

My "side job" is checking my eyelids for cracks. Thus far no light has penatrated them.

XJPILOT1

I pray every day for his salvation!!

FlyingDog

Sky High will be flying for ca$h again soon