Originally Posted by
JJSmooth
AV8ER
I guess you don't have much feedback to offer. I didn't post this to start some sort of pi$$ing match. By the way, I have read Flying the Line. I presume most pilots have a type A personality. I was curious how many people in this profession no longer felt like sitting around and waiting for good things to happen. I personally feel the need to be proactive towards my goals. I have a feeling there are many of you that feel the same way.
My problem is bigger than just the seniority system which a couple of you have chosen to focus on. The overall decisions of where this industry is going as far as pay, quality of service (example Jet Airways service vs. Southwest) mergers government intervention (TSA & DHS) ect. We are pretty much at the mercy of management the government, and our fellow aviators when it comes to our future. To clarify the comment on fellow aviators I meant as far as what wages people will work for.
Again I enjoy my job but I can't bear the idea of being out of control of my own destiny any longer.
Your attitude is very common. I know a few young slackers who just play video games on their days off, but I know many, many pilots who have a variety of outside interests, activities, jobs, and busineses.
I considered everything you mentioned when I changed careers. The kicker for me was flexibility...if I have an outside job that becomes less-than-enjoyable I'm not stuck there just to pay the bills. Once you get off reserve you should have enough time off to pursue something else on the side. These are examples of pilot off-duty activities..they all share one common trait, they can be done with flexible hours or even from a laptop on the road:
Military reserve
Real estate
Slum Lord
Buy Homes and fix them up for resale
Small Retail Business Owner
Computer Support for Small Busineses
Contract Computer Programmer
Restore Old cars
Tile, cabinet installation, etc
Writer
Various Artistic Things
DJ
Musician
Install/Setup complex home intertainment systems
Install home internet systems
Light Commercial Diving (clean / repair small boats)
Teacher/Instructor (endless list of possibilities)
Teach Ground Schools at the local FBO/school
Etc,etc
Each of those examples represent someone I know. I didn't list day-trader because everybody I know who tried that lost their @ss.
Most of these jobs can also be scaled up to support you if you get furloughed.
You could also do volunteer work.