rickair7777

You are a regional airline's wet dream...and a regional pilot's worst nightmare. The problem is that there are young folks with spouse, kids, mortgage, car payments who need a livable income with benefits. Too many guys who don't need much money or benefits, and management will reduce the compensation package. I bring this up so that you understand how you would be perceived if you show up at a regional.

With that out of the way...

There are plenty of opportunities in aviation for you:

Flight Instruction: We NEED good, experienced CFI's in general aviation. The typical airline-bound career builder leaves about the time he gets good. This is a highly flexible job, freelance work is common so you can make the schedule and call the shots. Once you get some hours and get checked out in more advanced airplanes you can command a respectable fee. Many students are comforted by the thought of flying with a greybeard vice a teenager. Since you will probably have to start out as a CFI anyway, you will have plenty of time to decide where to take this. The best news is that you can do it at most any airport.

Part 135: This is usually smaller freight and charter operations. The pay is usually nothing great, but it depends on the company. The schedule and working conditions vary WILDLY...many pilots build time at these places, so they are often less concerned with the long-term situation there. You would need to do your homework before taking such a job. You normally need 1200 hours, plus some ME time (100+). These jobs can usually be found at most airports.

Regional Airlines: Do some reading here on APC. One of the biggest problems for you is that everything is seniority-based, so the new-hire gets shipped across the country to the crappiest junior base on the east coast to sit reserve (on call). If you already live in NY, NJ, Philly, DC, or Chicago you could get a job at home. You need anywhere from 300-3,000 hours (and 100+ ME), depending on the market conditions.

Corporate/Private Jets: This might be a better fit. You can work for a company with several jets or a private owner with one jet. Pay and bennies vary, but you can find a decent gig if you look hard enough. A company pilot might work every day, a private-owner pilot might work once a month. If you work for a private owner, you will probably also manage the airplane (Mx, etc). You can also be a contract pilot once you have experience in one or more types...these guys get $400-600/day plus expenses. They fill in for sick pilots and also sit right seat for those owners who only employ one full-time pilot. Getting into this line of work requires networking and probably 1000+ hours of turbine time.

Finish your PPL and do some fun flying. Socialize at the airport and try to soak up as much knowledge about professional flying as you can.