Blackhawk

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.

loudgarrettdriver

Find your local FBO and do some part 61 flight instruction. You can incorporate and do it 1099. Or find a part 91 corporate job (what I do). Only 150-300 hours per year. Cush schedual. And family time.

Ratherbeflyen

I with you on your thinking. What good is money if you never see time to spend it or give it all to the ones you love to make up for your habitual absence?

Changing your 121 gig for a descent 91 would depend on where. If you live or are going to live in a major hub city, you probably got a really good chance of finding a job you'll be happy with. However, if you have to live in wyoming, for instance you might find some slim pickings there.

I'm from a non hub city of 500,000+ people and there were less than 10 good flying jobs there counting everything with wings. I can name more guys trapped living there waiting for one of those jobs than I can name 121 pilots. I had no shot of ever getting one of those jobs so I moved to a hub city for the opportunities.

Thats my .02
Good luck