Second Job While Career Flying

[BTyyj]

Do you have a second job to supplement your flying career?

It seems there are many pilots out there working second jobs. If you're one of them, could you explain your flying situation, what second job you do, and how well it supplements your flying income?

I have looked at both general contracting or some sort of flexible engineering if I do decide to go that route in university. Has anyone had any experience with these as a second job?

Thanks

[justwork]

Do you have a second job to supplement your flying career?

This is a sad line to read. Having a second job to supplement your career? Cringe. No, I don't have a second job and I think if you take a job that pays you, and you live within your means, you wont need one. Nor should you ever plan on taking one, just work for reputable companies that will pay you.

That being said I know a few pilots that do computer maintenance on the side. I know another guy that does home maintenance (painting, and outdoor work). These people used to just post on CL. Not sure if they're still doing it or not.

Chances are if you're working for a company that pays you enough that you need a second job they're going to kick you in the crotch by making sure you don't have enough days off to do this.

[BigQ]

My job pays very well, and I do not need a second job, but I have one anyways to keep me out of trouble, boredom, and to help pay for my wife's shopping trips.


Actually, my second job helps me pay off my debts faster. I should be out of (student and car) debt 4-5 years sooner because I hold that second job.

Nature of 2nd job: Aircraft refueller

[KK7]

There are plenty of seasonal pilots out there or pilot working on rotation that get paid more than enough. However we all need something fun to do in our off time, and sometimes that hobby can also pay handsomely, sometimes not. But ultimately that second activity isn't there to pay the bills but act as a bonus.

I work rotations and only work half the year. My second job: stay-at-home-dad, and I love it, wish it paid well enough to do it full time year round. But, I need to go flying to pay the bills, and I can't think of a better way to do it.

[darbel]

In the summer I work as a Beaver pilot. In winters, I work as a pad coordinator at Winnipeg central deice facility. The two jobs work very well together. I usually get about 2 weeks of down time between each job.

[Nark]

I go to school, which the US Gov't pays for, and because of that I make a few extra dollars each month. (Gov't pays me X, school tuition is Y; X-Y=z)
In addition to a small amount I receive every month through the Veterans Administration for another reason.

Together these two amounts would be equivalent to 20-30 hours a month at a place like Home Depot or Starbucks.

[Colonel Sanders]

a small amount I receive every month through the Veterans Administration for another reason

Your company commander told you to duck, but ...

[Nark]

"They said I got a million dollar wound, but ain't seen a dollar of that yet..."

[careerpilot?]

"They said I got a million dollar wound, but ain't seen a dollar of that yet..."

Go easy on the Forrest Gump references, I may have earned that nickname for some reason...

[BTyyj]

Sorry justwork, I should have been a bit more specific.

I don't mean to say that I would require something that pays because my career isn't enough. I just thought that having some sort-of hobby to spend my time doing would be nice, and any extra money would be a bonus. I have also looked at volunteering, such as helping build affordable housing for low-income families.

Thanks for all the great replies, they have all been really helpful, at least until people started getting into Forrest Gump

[co-joe]

This is why getting a trade before taking the big financial plunge into the aviation cesspool of debt would be the best decision of your life. Especially if said trade is residential or renovation based. Side jobs can pay big.

[BTyyj]

How long does it generally take to learn or apprentice in home renovation? It's certainly something that I would be interested in, as it would be both a great trade in a major city and a handy thing to know how to do.

[co-joe]

Officially most trades take 4 years to complete to "red seal" standards. That said you could learn some very useful money making skills in much less. I tried working for my buddy on his framing crew when I was at Borek. It was cool cause I made money on my 2 weeks out and also had less time to spend it which is the biggest plus. But in reality, just as I was getting the hang of what we were doing I went back up north again. When I came back 2 weeks later I went back to picking up garbage on the site, sweeping, moving stacks of 2x6's, etc until somebody had the time to show me what they were doing now.

Best trades to have for easy side job money, would be taping, drywalling, and painting. They're relatively easy to learn, don't require a ton of expensive tools and it sucks to do until you learn the tricks so people are willing to pay to have it done, plus they often pay by the square foot so if a flight comes up you can bail and come back later.

Beyond that, plumbing, electrical, and HVAC pay well but require more expensive tools and school is full time for 2 months at a time plus you have to get indentured which in lean times can require "doing your time". We're talking resi side jobs here so there's tons of other great trades, but these are the basics.

This web site has the hour requirements on the job and in class to get your ticket:
http://www.ellischart.ca/h.4m.2@-eng.jsp

I notice Aboriginal Early Childhood Educator is the first one on the list. Maybe that would be a good side job while you are living up north.