Side Gigs & Beer $$$ (COVID19 Edition)
 

APC fam,

As we all know too well, things aren’t looking too good for our industry right now. Unfortunately, most sectors of the U.S. economy are being impacted to a varying degree. As expected, aviation is boom or bust and we’re going for broke on the current trajectory. That’s why I wanted to revisit a thread that gets brought up every so often — ways to make additional income as a pilot. I figured it’s worthwhile for us to bring it up as a means to help those have a soft landing if furloughed and possibly help diversify revenue streams for those still gainfully employed.

We’ve all met the pilot that runs a successful side business or has some form of supplemental income. In 2020, what are some of the ways you or someone you know brings in extra cash? I’ve heard of everything from online adjunct professors, to real estate agents, to accountants, to computer programmers. If you are bringing in extra money at home or on the road, please share what you do and if you have any advice or recommendations on how to get started, feel free to expound.

Not me personally, but my cousin got furloughed in 08. He taught himself JavaScript and Python while on unemployment and got himself a part time gig at a local advertising company. He still does contract work for them and has kept in touch just in case something like this happened again. Well, he's probably getting furloughed again and if he does he's calling it quits in aviation. He was approached about a management position at said company, so I assume that's where he'll go. Don't burn bridges, even if it's a part time position, you never know what it could turn in to.

Small engine repair or maybe welding if you're really ambitious.

HB

Most airline pilots under 30 these days aren’t serious professionals as airline pilots but are serious about their professional social media pics and blabbering to brag as a pilot. I think they’re mostly worried about furloughs because the uncertainty of being able to keep their uniform and status to show off to the world. We should pray for these Instagram models careers.

Wait...they take our uniforms away too? Well there goes all my wife’s role play fun.

Man of culture I see :D

If you want beer and money you can work as a bartender and get both!

wait. Just remembered all the bars are still closed. This virus really sucks.

Have always kept electronic repair skills in my back pocket and am currently more busy then ever repairing avionics for military contractors. A civilian contractor. Had suggested on another site that the youngsters pursue their degree in somthing other than aviation, such as engineering or coding but got beat up so I won't go there. Even decent soldering skills are still needed.
IPC-610 cert is golden..

I invested in rental properties years ago, which provide a nice income stream. Aside from that, I'm also running a small custom CNC woodworking shop out of my garage to pay for my toys and have a little drinking/vacation money.

Maybe I'll look into additive manufacturing (3d printing).