Life as a Furloughee?
 

Life as a Furloughee?
Its probably the least popular topic in the forums, but I feel I have to ask about how people deal with airline layoffs. If you have been furloughed, please share your experiences. If you are furloughed tomorrow, what is your plan to deal with it?
When furloughed, were you able to get another flying job within 6-12 months of being laid off? Or did you have to accept another job unrelated to aviation just to pay the bills?
In the event of furlough, my plan is to try to return to the place I instructed (probably wont happen); if that doesn't work try to get a 121 or 135 dispatcher job; if that does n't work I will try to get a job as a substitute teacher with the option of being a full-time teacher if the furlough is to be an long extended period.
If the topic has been discussed already, I am sorry. However, I could not find much on this topic using the 'Search' function.

I guess I'd go back to Pt. 91 Corp. Aviation, and be back to the old grind of living on somebody elses schedule. I actually feel pretty lucky that I have made and have so many contacts in the Corp. Aviation circle, a circle for wich some never are able to break into. I'm leaving this circle to try out another part of aviation that I have always wanted to be in(121), but it looks as it's going to be a challenging road ahead for a new hire, I hope my new gig works out and the company I have choosen continues to stand tall, but if not it's not like I will be loosing a whole lot being that I wont have much seniority anyways. The people that I feel sorry for are the ones that may loose their jobs where they have been at companys for a few years and have alot invested, and the ones that feel that they do not have a Plan "B" in the aviation industry.:(
Good luck to everyone!!!

I'd get another job and if I liked it I'd never come back to aviation.

I'd go live in Australia or Costa Rica for a while. Wait tables to pay rent and buy booze.

Get a float-plane rating and go to Alaska.....

I made more money and had better benefits (other than pass travel) working the ramp at my old FBO job (California pays well)...I'd go there until something better comes up. Last time I worked there, a recently furloughed AA(ex-TWA) 767 FO worked there a few months before landing a corporate job. Of course, since I'm an AF Reservist, I would look for opportunities to go on Active Duty Orders for a while.

go be a personal trainer

Very good.

Male Stripper or Cage fighter...........but probably some substitute teaching.

The sky is not falling. YET.