WorldTraveler

The problem we have as pilot is that we think that the only other career options we have are ones that have a cubicle in our future. Since most of us are very outdoors oriented we see that as a terrible fate. However, there are many other options that would satisfy our wanderlust and independent streak and still pay fairly decent.

The most recent issue of Outdoor magazine lists several career choices that might appeal to pilots, either as a part time job or as an alternative to flying. Pick up a copy but I list some here for your consideration. Some pay better than others and some require specialized training but many are easy to slip into.

Greg


Itinerant Blogger
Race Director
Chief Beer Officer for a hotel chain
Resort Host/Outdoor Guide
Triathalon Trainer
Landscape Architect
Underwater Archeologist
Sustainablity/Green Director
Helicopter Pilot

lrsd101

I have never been an airline pilot but I can give a little insight into a different type of aviation career. For many years all I wanted to do was be an airline pilot but had to take a detour from that path due to the substantial amount of debt I racked up through college and flying. I took a job as a Sales Associate for an aircraft manufacturer. Yes I do have to go to work and sit in a cubicle for most of the time but everyone has to start somewhere. I get to be a part of aviation and share my passion with others who are looking at purchasing their own airplane or getting into private aviation. I have job stability, pay that well exceeds regional FO pay, good benefits, and a very bright future ahead of me. Regional Sales Directors or Regional VP's of sales usually make more than just about any airline pilot in the industry and often achieve that mark before they reach 60. As a matter of fact we have an opening within our company and are beginning to see regional airline pilots apply for the position. I have to admit that I often think about how great it would be to sitting up front looking out the window but considering how the industry is today I feel I am in a better place.

Starlifter

Which manufacturer do you work for? Sounds interesting to me. I was working with Foreign Military Sales before I left the Air Force and went to the Airlines. I was involved in the sale of C-130s, F-15K, Japanese F-2, F-16 and Japanese AWACS.

Lifter

atpwannabe

Airport Management/Operations at a medium hub airport, such as KPBI, have starting (entry level) salaries @ or near 42K. Not to shabby.




atp

SkyHigh

I looked at a job opening years ago for a runway maintenance engineer. It started out at 60K and literally all the guy did was to replace runway lights. Great benefits and home every night.

At the time it looked pretty good next to the 18K I was making as an FO.

SkyHigh