Poor Pilot's Second Job?

[van_pilot]

I am currently working as a flight instructor (class 4) in one of the flight school @ CZBB. (Boundary bay, BC)
As you know winter is coming and I am worrying about my "surviving".

Every month I need to pay $ 650.00 (Rent,Hydro,Internet) + $ 350.00 (gas, insurance) + 60.00 (Cell) + 200.00 (Foods) + 200.00 (etc) = Approxi 1,500 (MINIMUM)
I pretty sure I am NOT going to make that money for the winter season. (Last month I made 1,200 LOL).

I know many instructors out there (Especially in Vancouver area) have their second job. WHAT DO YOU DO? ANY RECOMMENDATION?
If I have an another job, I may not able to go to the flight school that much to fly. How can you handle that? (such as student complant? slow time building etc.)

I just got my first job as a pilot and I am happy and like the job very much.
But I am starting to worry about myself and the coming season. Please help this out.
Thanks

[mike123]

For starters, you can apply for Employment Insurance, this way you'll get some steady income. You are still allowed to work at your regular job, you just have to declare your earnings and if you earn more than a certain trashhold the gov't will deduct it from your cheque.
Other than that, consider what other skills you have that you could offer to potential employers? Some people work in construction, and since construction is slow in winter you might be able to get flexible schedule. Another option can be snow removal (when it snows you probably won't fly anyway). One instructor that I know has a free-lance graphic design and web programming business.

[iflyforpie]

Panhandle on Robson Street. Tax free cash and probably more than you make as an instructor. Go to a soup kitchen for a free meal and you're all set....




I feel your pain. There was absolutely no way I could live in the Lower Mainland on an instructor's wage... period, so I quit instructing.

[fish4life]

look for a bartending job

[200hr Wonder]

Places like Starbucks are usually very flexible especially if you can work the odd day shift.

[Luscombe]

Are you mechanically inclined? If so, why not work at one of the many AME shops in the lower mainland. I did that when I first started out back in the Jurassic age. You can assist on all sorts of jobs, you just can't sign for any of it. The experience I got was invaluable in my career especially when you can talk to one of the techs without sounding like a "typical pilot".

Other than that, there's always retail if you can stand dealing with the general public.

[TA/RA]

Get a class 4 drivers license and drive limo, you'll leark how to kiss ass and take it in the ass at the same time, I'll serve you well fo the rest of your flying career.

[IflyaSewerpipe]

Try finding something in aviation if possible. When instructing, I got a second job working the ramp at an FBO. It helped to keep my head above the water financially and it was a great place to meet people. Eventually it led to my first turboprop job.

[North Shore]

Can you ski or board? Grouse/Seymour/Cypress are probably hiring for the winter right around now. I ski instructed for a winter, but you could work in rentals etc..bonus is you'll get a ski pass out of the deal...

[Airtids]

I just got back from YVR. They're hiring de-icers. Handlex is looking for ground personnel, and Serviceair is looking for Ramp Agents. Get an evening shift (sun goes down early, still gives you time to fly all day, have a life, and get some sleep).

Good Luck!

[Apollo]

When needing extra cash I have held down the following jobs:

Hotel Night Auditor
Hotel Reservations
Hotel Front Desk
Tim Horton's
Construction (Under the table $$$)
Temp Secretary

They're all good, and hours are fairly flexible. The hotel gig is sweet, but working triple shifts suck.

[Oor Wullie]

I found waitering/waitressing to have a very flexible schedule.

instruct during the day and work during the night as often as you can.

[Tube Driver]

I fail to see what the dilemma or issue is here. You are obviously a strong fit individual as you are able to obtain a class 1 medical. Proceed directly to the nearest downtown street corner and turn tricks, I mean hell you should be used to prostituting yourself after all you are a pilot.

[industrypolice]

Honestly get a second job or get a real job and do instructing part time. I hope you have a university degree so that you have something to fall back on, if not go back to school, get a degree in another field and earn gauranteed money, ie. more than 60,000 a year instead of waiting around for some students to come and waste time. That way you have money to invest and live a comfortable lifestyle and still do what you love and builld hours on the side

[DanWEC]

Serving or bartending is, bar none (next to stripping or selling drugs), the best part time money you can make. I've been bartending for about 10 years, and while it isn't something you really want to do as a career, (especially when you approach the ripe old age of thirty and your patience for intoxicated douchebags wears thin) you will make much more money working 20 hours a week than basically any other entry level/shop job 40 hours a week.
Taking the week as an average I make about $50 an hour. Fri and Sat nights can be as high as 1-200 per hour though.
Without any experience you'd end up having to start at a Red Lobster or something like that, but you'll still be making about 15-20/hr on average.

[co-joe]

Mike 123 I can't get past your post. Actually I keep getting distracted and keep re reading the very first line over and over again. Is anyone else having the same problem? Something about meeting sexy singles on line...gawd...

..oh right job. Second job.

Try getting something on the field. See if any ame's will give you a job sweeping, wrenching, whatever you can. See if they'll let you be on call to instruct that way you won't miss out on walk in students.

[PistonPounder2800]

1200 a month!!! Get some balls and move up north, you're never going to get ahead in your career or with your finances starting out as an instructor on the west coast.

[Invertago]

I can't believe your parents charge you $650/month to rent a room in their basement, don't they know you're a pilot?

[Walker]

Places like Starbucks are usually very flexible especially if you can work the odd day shift.

After the first 15 hrs at starbucks you get DENTAL!!!!!!!!! did you hear that....... DENTAL!

hands up all instructors with dental please


now however in all seriousness; Other then the above suggestions (which are all good btw) including those about leaving etc,
Go hunt down some students; now not knowing which school your at I cant give any guarantee but MOST CFIs will be fine with you having any students you bring in yourself. Having Landed a job bring in your own business, make some cash, get some hours and move somewhere that isn't as saturated a market...

other useful endeavors; see if someone over there will take you on as a wrench turner, even if you don't finish the course work having some apprentice time and some further appreciation to what it takes to keep things moving will do nothing but positive for your career...

[albertdesalvo]

Move to Toronto and be a dog walker. Focus on the Church & Wellesley area; that way you won't get any German shepherds or pit bulls. In that district, pomeranians are considered vicious. And you can instruct at YKZ. Great future in that, I hear.

[skypirate88]

Places like Starbucks are usually very flexible especially if you can work the odd day shift.

After the first 15 hrs at starbucks you get DENTAL!!!!!!!!! did you hear that....... DENTAL!

hands up all instructors with dental please

I'll put mine up...almost full coverage.

Last winter I pumped gas for the club I am with. 2 Shifts a week in the evenings was enough, and because it gets dark pretty early I didn't miss much flying

[brownbear]

the all important lesson is to try and live within your means.

do you absolutely need a car? bus or train?

internet is a luxury, all library's offer it.

share accommodations to lower your cost, or if you are doing that already you need to find even cheaper places to stay.

while you have post secondary education you have to live like a drop out. millions of people are poor and make you look rich.

the hardest lesson in ones life is learning to live within your means, even as your salary increases in life you make feel like you are having trouble. learn this now you are set for life.

Personally I would live in a van.

[KAG]

the all important lesson is to try and live within your means.

do you absolutely need a car? bus or train?

internet is a luxury, all library's offer it.

share accommodations to lower your cost, or if you are doing that already you need to find even cheaper places to stay.

while you have post secondary education you have to live like a drop out. millions of people are poor and make you look rich.

the hardest lesson in ones life is learning to live within your means, even as your salary increases in life you make feel like you are having trouble. learn this now you are set for life.

Personally I would live in a van.

I'll second that.+++++++
If you can come out the other side of these "character building years " with no (additional) debt and some money saved your ahead of the game. Get a roommate (or 2) in a high rise, you can usually get free internet from unsecured wireless networks. if you need a car, get an old Honda or Toyota. Shop at winners, by your food in bulk and freeze stuff. You'd be surprised what deals can be found for furniture. Starting out I didn't own anything that I wasn't prepared to throw away when I moved on. I got all my furniture from hand me downs or the Sally Ann. My first bed frame was made from scrap lumber.
People are giving away good stuff on free cycle these days -especially old school TV’s.

If you can learn to be happy in life with little money, when you do start making good coin, you don’t fall prey to the consumer trap that is North American life.

[chinglish]

I can't believe your parents charge you $650/month to rent a room in their basement, don't they know you're a pilot?

I agree with the previous posters. Me thinks you can live cheaper

[SunWuKong]

Some post are very interesting in this thread.

You have to get real (adapt to your salary) and understand where you want to go. When you think, always think with the "time factor". Think ahead.

Here are some advices:
1- when we want to be successful in this industry (assuming we want to be a professionnal pilot for a part of our life at least) we have to focus. The difference between failure and accomplishment is how you deal the low, and difficult times. We all know how to deal with good salaries and respectful employer, but our career life, especially at the beginning is not easy to deal with. And this is where you can make the difference.
2- there is no job that is going to give you $100 000 (not even $50 000 anyway) a year after 8 months of training after high school. I mean you are still a student, imagine a lawyer or doctor after 8 month of training, he is still working on the first year of his degree, and even 4 years later he still won't make $1200 a month like you do. Face it: you are like a "student", don't expect a normal life right now, you are only working towards your ATPL. It takes 5 years to get a master degree, well it takes 5 years to be a medevac king air captain, then you will start to make real salaries.
3- It is possible for a single young man to live with 1200$ a month. In addition that is not like there is no future for you, or not like you have a wife and 3 kids. I mean that is not for ever, you should be able to deal with it, this is your only chance to prove you can man up and manage it. It will make the remaining part of your life more enjoyable, welcome in the real life.
4- Be careful, don't go in all direction with full time studies or job, better focus on what you already have and make the best out of it, while you work towards your career. This advice is only valid if you really know what you want.

Good luck, been there.