Ok, boys and girls. The year is almost over and it's time to reassess our lives. I know how most of you (except Skyhigh) love your flying careers, but what do you think you would have done with your life if you had to do it all over again, and you couldn't be an aviator? This should be fun and interesting (I HOPE) !!

 

I would be a musician, a guitar player. My dream job would be playing with the E srteet band. Flying for Fedex or UPS seems easy now...

 

Bank robber...Like the character DeNero plays in Heat.

-LAFF

 

Law enforcement...still may go that way in a flying capacity.

 

Aerospace Engineer. Got a degree. Had a job offer at Adam aircraft for $52k right out of college. Still probably could get a similar job at several companies. I could be working 9-5, M-F, be home everynight, have weekends off, make decent money, and not have to worry about the unpredictability of the airline industry.

But I chose to become a CFI and become an airline pilot!! WHY??
1. I cannot stand sitting at a desk/cubicle/office all day. I would much rather be in a moving office at 35,000ft.
2. Getting a job in engineering requires way too much work and effort. I don't want to work 40+ hours a week. Flying is such a better way to spend my day. Even though you spend more time "on duty", I don't consider sitting in an airport or hotel room as working. I agree that pilots should be paid for this (so companies will not waste your time when away from base).
3. While everyone complains about low 1st year FO pay at regional airlines (and I agree it is way too low), after a few years you make more than the average american. 65k a year at age 26,27 is a good living. Aerospace engineering is/was recently one of the top 10 salaried professions. But you can make way more as an airline pilot.


I can go on and on. Being a pilot is a pretty damn good job. I support all your efforts to better your pay, QOL, and work rules, but every now and again most of you need to sit back and think, "Man, I have it good!"

 

I'm still young and probably should not be replying to this (6 years into my career)...but. If I lost my medical for some reason:

1) Own and manage a small FBO with flight training and caravan cargo ops. Drink lots of coffee and bs with the old guys. Give aerobatic instruction.
2) Vet - Small Animals/Pets
3) Lawyer - My fiance says I would be great at it, I love to argue
4) Actually use my degree and be an IT/Computer guy

Number 4 scares me, number 1 is still a dream of mine. If only you could make money in aviation

 

Quagmire: Number one can't be a choice, she said that being an aviator was out.



I used to be a cop, but I really did not like it. It was like working for the Jerry Springer show full time without the big paycheck.

I went to seminary, so maybe a full time ministry of some sort. I guess missionary pilot is out, since I can't choose a flying job.

I've been flying since age 15, so I'd hate to think of life without flying. Air Marshall would be a good fit for me, but it sounds so boring.

 

I can't imagine not flying, but if I had to think about it I'd go for aerospace engineering at maybe NASA. Something like that.

 

In order of preference:

1) Meteorologist
2) Elementary Schoolteacher
3) Farmer
4) Priest

Kind of a weird list, I know...but that's the truth!

 

Meteorologist would be alright. Don't know about te other three though!