Aviation experience is a HUGE benefit in the insurance industry. Especially if you intend to get into sales or underwriting. The instant I was hired my current company I leap frogged 3 people simply because of my aviation experience. If you can "Talk" aviation you can be more successful than someone who just knows insurance.

Being able to know the difference in a mirage vs meridian or how much training will be required to go from a PC12 to a Phenom 300 will allow you to either be able to sell it to the underwriter or as an underwriter make an informed decision on the risk.

Either way having aviation experience is a HUGE in this industry. When I go out with customers we spend 90% of the time talking aviation and 10% talking insurance - just the way I like it.

Currently I am responsible for a lot of the behind the scenes stuff: Adding/removing pilots
adding/removing aircraft
Binding policies
Negotiation with underwriters
Handling customer requests

I'm heading towards a sales position where I will be doing:
Attracting new business - conventions, local clients, FBO's, Charter operators, cargo ops, hangar owners, anything aviation related
build relationships with current clients

They do and they are big/stable companies with good paying jobs. I work with the underwriters at these companies and they all have aviation backgrounds and all enjoy working there. It's always a good time when we get together.

very interesting. I know a good friend who just went on on medical at a major, and doesn't want to sit around collecting disability. I should refer him.

I always think about bailing. I keep reminding myself that the "grass is always greener", but it sounds like you are happy. After almost 10 years of not working the 8 to 5, I just don't think I could hack it.

It's not as hard as you think. I thought the same thing. But I thourougly enjoy it more than I ever did at the airlines. I'm home every night. Get to go out with friends on normal days. Don't ever have to worry about missing things. i'm not scrambling to get errands done on my few days off.

I will say it is different in the sense that you sometimes take "work" home with you. WHen I was at the airlines when I was off I was completely off - didn't ever think about work.

I love reading success stories such as yours because I know or have known pilots over the years who were too lazy to look into other occupations outside of flying a aircraft. This is a mute point if one loses his or her medical in which I know many. My A&P and degrees have allowed me to be flexible, and I don't mean turning a wrench! I don't know how much training is required to go from a PC-12 to Phenom, but I can tell you I worked at one company in which many pilots advanced from a caravan to business and cargo jets.

Funny I am thinking about getting out of the Government and flying full time again. However the schedule of a 121 world does not bode well for someone who is used to being home all the time. I did 121 prior, no overnights, so I have no idea what I would feel like being gone all the time. Looking into corporate life. And now maybe aviation related sales. This thread inspired me---Thank you!

Never easy making the decision to make a career change. Glad it worked out for you.

I have been on the forum for just a short while, and after reading the post I am also deciding on whether to leave aviation for good. I am currently working as a freight pilot making 40k/yr after 4 years and with aspirations of the "Big Time". With all the talk of concessions and instability of the industry I am also going to call it quits. Just recently I chatted with the AME when getting my physical and asked him how many patients were flying to the age of 65. He told me almost all of them, as they could not afford to quit since most all had 2 or 3 ex-wifes and mortgages to pay. The glamorous lifestyle and high income days are gone. All we are now are bus drivers or as in my case, truck drivers. The pilot shortage is just a myth for sure, I have met several people who have left the industry. Attaining the status of highly paid airline pilot is similar to the thespian hoping to become a big star. Even though I have a limited time in the profession I am not willing to gamble my future on something that is as likely as hitting the big jackpot in Vegas. Good luck to all of you who continue to pursue your dream.