Creating a replacement income as an airline pilot is easier than you think, especially if you are willing to create the opportunity yourself rather than looking for it to come from someone else. My "productivity time" on short call and commuting worked miracles for my backup plan.

We are treated like easily replaced hourly labor so often that too many in the profession actually believe it. Set the specific aviation skill set aside, for a moment and realize what the average pilot brings to the world outside of the cockpit.

1. Above average intelligence.
2. Bachelor degree as a minimum often in technical fields.
3. The ability to make critical decisions under pressure.
4. Leadership skills for running a team of 5-15 people.
5. Willingness to work long hours to achieve a goal.
6. Above average hand/eye coordination.
7. Ability to communicate effectively and efficiently.
8. Confidence to safely operate complex multimillion dollar equipment.
9. Demonstrated the self discipline necessary to work with little direct supervision.
10. Looks good in the process of doing all of the above.

This is a recipe for success in many career fields and businesses. Our aviation specific stick and rudder skills are only part of the equation. I must confess, I've already started the backup plan, which is why I would quit rather than be forced to move to a current base. I've taken my own advice over the last several years and used savings, income and time off to create a backup plan of business and investments outside of this industry. It took half of the items from the list above to exceed my airline pay. They were 2, 4, 5 and married to 7 & 10 in my case.

It isn't that hard to build a backup plan outside of this career. This is my third of four six figure jobs. The first had nothing to do with aviation, the second one did and third one certainly does, the fourth one I created myself outside of aviation. Too many in this career sell themselves short on what they are capable of doing, so they never try something else.

How much do APC moderators bring in a year?

My son works on the Mississippi River and there are several high school educated Captains pulling in more than $250K per year... thirty days on.. thirty days off. Insurance is paid... good 401K and when they are off the boat.... no other work until they get back on the boat. And yes, they can live where they want.

Oh.. did I mention the food!!! The Captain hires/fires the cook so you can imagine how good they eat!!

Fly safe,

OC

As I recall they said the opposite when they hired me.

Are they hiring?

Starting pay $670 per day.
https://sjobs.brassring.com/tgwebhos...0&codes=INDEED

$100K-$400K as a harbor pilot in Florida. The exam is Sept 10, 2015 for anyone senior to me who is interested.
http://www.maritimejobs.com/JobShow....ampaign=Indeed

River Captain Jobs, Employment | Indeed.com

I was on a trip last year where we were being pressured by the dispatcher to take off with a plan that would have us block 9:12 and go over our 2 hour extension (MD-88). When the dispatcher was told by the captain that we could not legally go over 9 hours block time while we were still on the ground the reply was "You're not going to to fly it as planned; Chicago will let you cut the corner." (Chicago center was not accepting traffic from the north and was pushing us to refile to the west). My DALPA reps didn't seem to concerned when I reported this to them. I let the Captain do that ASAP since he was the one who spoke to the dispatcher.

Yeah, what's the upgrade time? Or do we have to follow the typical career path, deckhand, first mate, chief engineer, captain?

Can we get the Harbor Pilots Union to represent us.

Salaries for Harbor Pilots | Chron.com


Union Contracts

Harbor pilots are usually union members who work under a collective bargaining agreement between the International Organization of Masters, Mates and Pilots and the government responsible for a harbor. They are union employees and not employees of the ship upon which they work, so their role is advisory rather than one of command.


Salary

Nationally, harbor pilots average more than $400,000 per year. This translates to $192.31 per hour. The pilot's contract might also include allowances for travel or extra pay, called adjustments, that are not included in wages.


Pay Increases

A harbor pilot's salary rises each year by the percentage -- usually 6 percent -- specified in the collective bargaining agreement. The only considerations affecting the harbor pilot's salary are his relative seniority in the collective bargaining agreement and the number of years he has served under that agreement.


Job Outlook

The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts water transportation occupations -- including captains, mates and pilots -- will grow by 20 percent between 2010 and 2020. The recovering economy should increase demand for waterway freight shipping, and job growth is likely to be heaviest on inland rivers, the Great Lakes, and along the coasts. Job growth also will be driven by demand for commodities such as coal, grain, and petroleum, the BLS reports

You would think.....BUT,, I fly with guys that are complete life disasters quite frequently.. They could not hold a job as a Walmart cashier. The only reason they make the money they do is because they can pilot an airplane...that's it! Zero ability to interact with with people, Multiple divorces, kids hate them, etc. Not all, but I would say a good 25%. To be honest, I was surprised at how many trainwrecks I have flown with only being with the airline for 15 months. With that being said, they have treated me well and are solid pilots, but I am not sure they could easily bring in capt pay in another industry.