I'm always amazed at crew members that drink at the hotel bar and blabber their mouths about what they do for a living. Come on folks, be creative and come up with an alter ego. When I'm on layovers and enjoying some adult beverages (within company and FAA regulations of course), I most definitely do not tell people I'm an airline pilot. ESPECIALLY if you are drinking at the hotel you are staying at.

In the past I have been a traveling health insurance salesman, journalist, jacuzzi salesman, professional photographer, etc. Pick something you have some knowledge about and have fun with it. Do NOT under any circumstances tell people you are a pilot for Christ sake. Maybe 30 years ago it would have been fair game.