Looking at a possible career change- of a sorts, and want to know if some one has any ideas.
Currently a CRJ captain at a pretty good regional. I've been treated fairly well, love the job, and at 42 never intended to move on. I am told fairly often that I am quite good at my job as well- by FO's, FA's and even a few aviation journalists and retired pilots who have been in the back during my legs.
A 15 month all expense paid vacation courtesy of my government has changed some of my perspective on things (never should have opened that FexEx envelope). Nothing like sitting in a bunk looking at pictures of your wife and kids after flying combat missions in 35 C temperatures wearing chicken plate and flight kit wondering if you would see them again to do that.
I would love to stay with my current company, but my wife graduates from medical school this spring and it looks as if I would have to commute to work. She will be going through residency and I do not relish the idea of a nanny watching my kids while I am gone for 4 days on a trip. I don't want to miss their soccer games, etc. I missed too much while I was gone.
I want to continue flying. It's really all I have known for 20 years. I am dual rated (RW/FW); I've got my CFI/CFII/MEI/ATP FW; commercial/instrument RW. I've been a military instructor in helicopters however, so I could get my CFI-H fairly easily. I've flown rubber dog crap in light twins, and don't mind going back to that (learned almost as much doing that as I did flying for the military). I would even enjoy going back to being a CFI. I have my GI Bill and can use that for some additional ratings/type ratings.
Any ideas on other part time flying jobs? Any one know of places that might look for experienced part time pilots? I don't mind spending some time away, just would like to do it more along my terms while my kids are still young.