greaper007

Hi everybody. I've enjoyed lurking on these forums for awhile now. I'm a former Colgan Capt, current stay at home dad. I obviously love my current career, with the exception of "hard currency" compensation. But, I'd also like to figure out what I'm going to do in a few years.

Now, what is everyone else doing? It seems like every post on here from someone that's left the career is. "I found a great opportunity at a good company." Then if you press them they give some sort of further double talk. Let's see some hard examples. What careers/companies truly value your aviation experience? If you started your own business, even better. Give us some ideas, and get some free advertising.

Rnav

Law Enforcement. Get to feed my type A personality at the same time make a great pension and pay. Heck they give me a take home car. Retirement is 3% at 55yrs of age(I get 3% for every year of service at my final salary). Almost no one over 57 yrs of age at my department. With that being said it isn't an easy job to get since you have to have a clean record and pass a psych interview but most pilots could easily handle it.

Beats the $1200 a month I made at the regionals with jetlag every freak'n night. But to be non-bias, flying the jet was funner just the other 85% of the crap sucked hard.

greaper007

Thanks for the reply, I was just about to bump the thread.

atpcliff

Hi!

I was laid off by -121. Flying in Africa since last Mar. It is OK, and pay is good. Trying to get US-based or commutable US job, at DECENT pay. NOT easy!

cliff
LFW

SkyHigh

Hi everyone!

My name is Skyhigh. After getting laid off when my airline shutdown I moved my family off four, with one on the way, back home into a two bedroom apartment on $1300 of monthly unemployment insurance. We sold the family home and started over in small business.

In the years since we have had several business ventures. Most of them did not bare much fruit however a few are doing well. Currently we manage a portfolio of rental properties, run a small free range grass fed beef operation and my wife has an internet women and baby focused garment business that is starting to take off.

It is not easy starting over. Small business is a discipline itself. It can take a long time to learn how to make it. Thankfully life as a pilot has prepared me well to face the hardships, rejection and frequent failure that owning a small business affords. The difference is that as a small business owner with every failure you learn more and are more likely to succeed the next time.

In the long run being home and in charge of your life is priceless.

Best of luck,

Skyhigh

greaper007

So the horror stories of flying in Africa aren't true?

atpcliff

Hi!

Africa IS a LOT different than flying in America. I would say my job is better than Mesa, and not as good as Delta. I got to Africa on a Mon night, and flew Wed AM with NO training. I was also flying for two DIFFERENT air carriers in NBO (like flying for both AirTran and IFL at the same time).

We have to put up with crap, but the pay is good. I am sending home about $6.5/mo. on FO pay. To me, it is a fair tradeoff, BUT I was one of 9 guys who came in with no Africa experience, and I am the only one still here...I was the only one who could deal with the changes.

cliff
LFW

TonyWilliams

Same equipment equipment as in US/Euro, but totally different flying / working experience.

Unfortunately, I'm in the FAR worse than Mesa area, except the pay is better, WHEN THEY PAY IT.