Wow. I need a backup for the backup.
 

After working for alomst 2 years at my backup job, and am getting layed off in a couple of months. They are getting rid of my position, which is funny, since there are 4 other people doing the same thing I do and they get to stay.

I should have stayed in school and got that engineering degree I was going to get, instead of forever relying on an obsolete drafting certificate.

Live and learn. Kids, stay in school.

If it helps any, Engineers are struggling too!

I had a layoff in the last 2 years as an aircraft engineer and I know how it feels. Many colleagues with 20+ years in the business also hit the street. It's been a VERY rough stretch for engineers. In addition a lot of our jobs were already moving away before the recession. I actually just went back to flying for some time after the layoff, not a great job but you might want to try flying again. People are getting jobs in both areas but they are very hit and miss, not a lot of strength anywhere. I am planning another job swap in the next few months and it seems like all the companies are on lean times.

Good luck...Have you considered DoD related work?

That's what I tell kids nowdays...engineering/technical degree in a field which lends itself to defense technology. It's not so easy to offshore your job if it requires a security clearance (maybe to Europe, but they're not cheaper than us).

For every operator you take out of a weapons platform, you need to add 2-3 in the rear for support. "Unmanned" is not working out to equal "less manning".

This brings up the whole "how to backstop your aviation career". IMHO, one needs to factor in the cost of at least refreashing your educational qualifications, if not outright going back to school, into your plans.

"IMHO, one needs to factor in the cost of at least refreashing your educational qualifications, if not outright going back to school, into your plans."

Very true.

I ended up with a couple more options than I first thought. I may downgrade to contractor status, just to stay at the same location and pay, or I may take a paycut to stay with the company, in another position. Not sure yet.

It so funny how my little drafting career evolved from achitectural, to mechanical, to electronic and then telecommunications, as each industry went south and I had to keep seeking work. yikes! Thanks for the comments.

WHAT?!?! :eek:

pilot1278 -

I'm sorry that you are having a run of bad luck in the job search.
Thanks for sharing your story though. It should serve as a reminder that there are other professions / careers that are struggling right along side the aviation industry during these times.

USMCFLYR

Yep engineering isn't all that reliable a career, I can testify to that. If you've got time on your hands, and at the risk of sounding flippant have you considered setting up a couple of website side-businesses, a few of my mates were made redundant and have scraped by living on what used to be their sideline/holiday fund. Just a thought... although it can take a at least 6-12 months to build up decent traffic.