Originally Posted by
spikemath
I know lots of regional pilots work side jobs to increase their income, but is it at all possible to work a flight job on your days off for extra income? For example moonlighting as an instructor or tour pilot? Just curious how this works. I have heard that the airline owns your monthly flight time via their contract, and flying on the side can get you in trouble. How about some work as a substitute ground instructor at a local school?
I have a full time flying job with a defense contractor, but since the monthly flight hours are so low I also fly Part 91 corporate and flight instruct on the side. They are on a not to interfere basis. I do all this and still don't clear more than 40 hours per month.
Having said that, if and when my full time job becomes an airline, whole different scenario. I think if you are a line holder flying 80+ per month it's just not possible or even advisable.
There is no way you could keep a full time non-flying job and fly regional. We had a pilot at my company try that. He was always disapperaing to fly for his regional job at the wrong time. He almost got fired for it and so he eventually just had to quit his regional gig and stayed on as a full time engineer last I heard.