Just curious: While times "are-a-boomin" at the present, is it common for FOs (and, perhaps, even lower seniority CAs) to keep up non-flying side-gigs that can pay the rent if/when our industry goes sideways again? Obviously, many types of flying side-gigs are common (Guard, CFI, etc.), but I'm curious about any non-flying gigs that folks keep up and pursue when they're not flying. Are there any particular "furlough-protection" pursuits that are more common than others among active pilots? Given monthly flying schedules, reserve, commutes, etc., these side-jobs must put a premium on flexibility.

Trading bitcoin. Until it crashes. Ditto for the stock market. Can all be done from the comfort of an overnight or home.

Piano player at a house of ill repute.

I’m always looking. Haven’t found it yet. Our exposure in this career having to start back at the beginning if we get laid off, or losing our medical being six months away, is just so high. I hope I can figure something out soon, but you’re right, it has to be right.

A lot of guys I fly with work as real estate agents . Some guys own restaurants too but that's a big upfront investment. Day trading and real estate seem to be the most common.

This is a good thread. I flew with a guy that had been crushed by 9-11. He had to foreclose on the house, wife left him, etc. He lives uber conservative now. Got me thinking to when the next downturn happens. Things are great now, but I am not nieve to think it is going to be great for the next 30 yrs.

Any stories of guys getting to a point where they could go walk away from flying and not take it in the shorts?

One guy got into a direct-marketing company, really more of a pyramid scheme. Said he wrote off all his ski trips as a business expense by pitching the deal while riding chairlifts.
The fatal accident happened right over a deep ravine....

Forget the piano player gig. The real money is in being the bathroom attendant.

Has anybody ever worked with those companies that pay you to complete surveys and other computer work ?

When I was airlines, I worked as a car buyer for a used car lot. Payed really well and you can use your jump seat/ pass privileges to get to out of town auctions.
Was a lot of fun and you get to spend other people’s money!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk