At 52 years old after a 23 year career at a major. Still need to earn
an income to offset disability pay.
Anyone have any ideas as I am at a loss at this point.
BS science degree and some computer skills.
767/757 Captain, USAF instructor pilot and flight commander in my previous life prior to airline though only for a 7 year period.

Thanks for any help that is offered.

Program management for one of the defense contractors, or simulator IP for either a civilian sim outfit, or if you are near a military base, Primary/Advance (UPT in USAF speak) simulators?

I'd take a guess from your user name that you are somewhere in FL, you have Eglin, Hulburt, NAS Pensacola and NAS Whiting Field in the panhandle.

Agree that something defense related or sim instructing would be easy for you.

The skill set that you have would also lend itself towards management type gigs. I know every pilot cringes when they hear the m word, but in real life, managers can make a huge positive difference in people's lives if they are good at what they do, and especially if they have experience on the labor end of it.

Best of luck. You made the tough transition from mil to airline, you will succeed again.

The guys have brought up some good suggestions......

I'd also try JS FIRM. Click pilot fixed wing. Boeing has some simulator instructor positions to fill.

Best wishes!

I'll do some research in these areas after the holiday. Hopefully I can find something locally, near West Palm Beach, Florida as moving or commuting would not be financially viable at this time.
Happy Holidays to everyone! Enjoy your time flying as you never know when it may come to an abrupt end as was the case with me. Totally unexpected.

Keep an eye on the internet employment board: Monster.com, Indeed.com, Careerbuilder, etc. You'd be surprised how many training (sim instructing) gigs come up there.

Lots of DoD contracting jobs that don't involve flying but required your level of experience there, too.

First, I'm assuming you've pursued all medical avenues, union aeromedical, AMEs that specialize in SI, etc? There are some very good AMEs out there that know their stuff and know exactly what buttons to push in OKC to make things happen.

Second, I certainly echo management, sim instructor, etc. You also are qualified to sit for the dispatcher certificate with all your 121 experience. I have an uncle that spent 20 years in military aviation followed by 20 years as a ROTC instructor and he just fell into an adjunct professor position with ERAU. All kinds of possibilities out there.

Somewhat related and hopefully not much of a thread drift:

If you lose your Medical Certificate, is there any reason you cannot apply to collect Unemployment Benefits (NY if it matters)?

I had a serious event that I recovered from very quickly but carries a heavy duty (1yr +) observation period from the FAA. I am in excellent health (for this reason I was denied Social Security Disability) and my Doctor cleared me to return to work a long time ago.

Tried getting other work at my 121 Carrier, they wouldn't give me any, and now I don't know what to do.


No disability insurance or anything like that, and I'm essentially burning up my life savings at this point. Looking for work, but haven't found anything yet. Have a 4yr degree, but it's kind of useless unless you've done some serious interning (which I never did since I was more focused on getting my ratings during my spare time in College).

Any insight/info would be appreciated.

Airbus has a large training facility in Miami. Might be a long drive but worth a look.

Boeing has moved all their simulator training from Seattle to Miami. They are currently building out/expanding their training facility near MIA airport. 1+ hour drive from you. They hire contract sim instructors . I might be worth it to go by drop an resume off.