You can still have recency and be holding down a non-aviation related job. If you are applying to positions which require 100-200 hrs in the last 12 months for example I'm sure it would be hard to maintain paying out of pocket for GA expenses, but if no hours are stipulated and you just need to show that you haven't lost the touch then a few hours every now and then in a small GA plane might be enough to be considered for a position. The guy I am flying with right now was telling me tonight that when he got his Air Ambulance job that he hadn't flown but a few hours in YEARS!

USMCFLYR