Employability outside of flying...

[justwanttofly]

Good day,

I have been looking into careers outside of flying but have come up with almost nothing. What jobs would a pilot with experience instructing and a high school diploma be qualified to do aside from flying an airplane? What are others who left flying doing? I see now how having all the eggs in one basket (flying) can lead to pretty limited opportunities outside of aviation.

Thanks in advance for your replies.

Justwanttofly

[Beefitarian]

Have you gone without flying? I did and for 5 years, regretted it every day.

Since you won't listen to me go become an Electrician and be miserable for 20 years like I was. At least during the 10 years I was single I could afford to fly.

You only need grade 11 math or an apprenticeship entrance exam.

[ahramin]

If you're leaving aviation because of the money rather than the lifestyle, you might want to look at CP rail. Otherwise it's back to school with you. Learn a trade, find a nice place to settle down, find a nice girl or boy and marry them. Don't work too much.

[ajet32]

25 years ago I almost did what your suggesting. I have a degree in Agriculture so other than sales there wasn't much to do if you couldn't afford to fly you couldn't afford a farm.
I stuck it out when many left, a number of the group who started with me did as well. Right now one is a B777 Captain at Emirates, one a B737 Captain at Westjet, one a fairly senior B767 FO at Air Canada(life style choice, he can hold Capt on a smaller type) and I am a training Capt for an Asian flag carrier working on contract. I was the only one with a degree one other had aviation college the other 2 high school. With the orders happening around the world and expansion I would stick it out for a couple of more years if possible. Things can only get better in my humble opinion. If you know anyone who started back in the mid 80's ask them what it was like and how many of us got laid off fire etc.
Just a thought before giving up something that for me is still fun 30 years on.

[MikeGolfEcho]

A couple come to mind. If you can make out that instructing is a bit like 'cross/up-selling' (which you could argue convincingly in an interview that it is) then you could consider banking. There are good ones and bad ones, Credit Unions are the best bet as there's generally less pressure to sell shit. You could also argue that instructing has given you excellent commuication skills and customer service experience in this regard.

The other thing I was thinking of that would require some further education is becoming an 'English as a Second Language' Teacher. The teaching experience you have will be of benefit, and the courses are relatively short and therefore less expensive. If you're in a relatively large town/city, there's bound to be a ESL school - give them a call and see if they're likely to hire. If you have any time or money, a trade is probably your best route. Where I live is a tourist area, I've worked as a zipline guide and a tour bus driver while trying to save money for my licences (I currenly work in a Credit Union).

Thing is though, this flying thing is an itch that just has to be scratched.. if you can afford to fly recreationally maybe a change is a good idea.

Best of luck,

MGE

[1000 HP]

If you would like to start at $26 per hour with overtime after 8, move to lloydmonster and work on a service rig. Most of them are short handed. You need a strong back, a good brain, a valid canadian drivers licence, and an H2S and First Aid ticket. The company usually pays for the rest.
Be prepared to be hot, cold, frozen solid, and dirty all at different times

[iflyforpie]

Isn't it dirty all of the time?

[DanWEC]

What about jobs still related to aviation? You should play to your strengths. With a license and some hours it may make you more credible in sales, leasing, brokering. I don't know what else... ops maybe. I'm actually thinking about diversifying myself with an MBA or something along the like.

[Brown Bear]

If you get an MBA, look beyond aviation.

[co-joe]

Prob the easiest/best way to go is get a red seal trade. It takes 4 years of hard work, the government pays you to go to school, gives you grants to help out while in school, and grants when you finish. Demand is so high you can get fired and hired in the same day and make 80k a year without working OT and make nearly double that if you're willing to go up north depending on how long you don't mind being away for.

Pay off those student loans fast, bank some cash, and then if you still have itchy wings you have a leg up on all those people who have all their eggs in one av-basket. If the earthly bonds get old you can pay cash for a degree or more flying, no more student loans. Plus you have the skills to do side jobs for good cash with your days off if you want. Have a look on indeed right now and do some searches and you'll see what having skills that are in demand is really like. J-man rates only go up, since the 80's anyway.

[CanadianEh]

Ever thought of something aviation related that is not flying? Nav Canada loves hiring pilots and you could find yourself making some pretty serious cash if you get into ATC as well as a pension and career development opportunities. There are also jobs at Transport Canada and the CTA.

[bushhopper]

Its not the paper that counts, but what you have to show for. Just because you got a MBA does not mean you are qualified to run a company.

[Shiny Side Up]

If you're clever in this world you can make a living, maybe even be wealthy. Some of the most successful guys I know didn't even finish high school. Education helps, but it isn't for everyone.

[pdw]

What jobs would a pilot with experience instructing and a high school diploma be qualified to do aside from flying an airplane?

That probably depends somewhat on interest and experiences.

What are others who left flying doing?

I recently inquired about operating the small kitchen/snack area in the local terminal. Found out no food available ... no one yet available to take on the project (the new terminal is three years old).

I see now how having all the eggs in one basket (flying) can lead to pretty limited opportunities outside of aviation.

Having given it your best shot (all "in") ... can that be used to an advantage when crossing paths with the right employer or business opportunity ?

[KAG]

Justwanttofly
Whats your story? Why are u looking to bail after just starting out?

[cdnpilot77]

Justwanttofly
Whats your story? Why are u looking to bail after just starting out?

KAG, here is the story. viewtopic.php?f=54&t=92462

[justwanttofly]

Thanks Cdnpilot77

And only funds to pay for the multi-ifr if I have a job lined up. So far no luck with that...

[cdnpilot77]

Thanks Cdnpilot77

And only funds to pay for the multi-ifr if I have a job lined up. So far no luck with that...

It's a horrible catch22 you're in as that likelihood is so very remote! I'm assuming you never heard from that other thing we worked on?

[justwanttofly]

I am realizing that more as each week passes. I guess they had someone lined up before I even applied. Resume is on file at least for next time..

[KAG]

Jwtf
Where do you live? Is your wife willing to move? What field is she in and can she transfer?

You've invested a lot of time, money, and effort to just walk away before you really even know what is out there.
I was an instructor, I know what your going through (to a point). You need to be flexible and go where the work is, most likely its not the most desirable location.
Instructor time is not great by itself but teaching MIFR does wonders for your resume.
How many hours do you now have?

[justwanttofly]

KAG,

I am located in Alberta and the wife currently is too. We already live about 4 hrs away from each other so I would be okay with moving anywhere in Canada. She would be good with it also if she saw that I was progressing in my career. She works in heath care and wouldn't consider moving unless I could support both of us. I made $450.00 last month...

I have definitely invested a lot of time (not including flight time), money and effort. I feel myself slowly losing momentum and even though I couldn't imagine doing anything else it may be time to pack it in. I am currently sitting around 700hrs and the multi instructing would be one or possibly two years away.

Justwanttofly

[Beefitarian]

I hope you can hang in and get over this downswing.

60% voted flying is worth it on a website populated by pilots that spend a fair amount of time complaining how bad things are.

[CellPh2]

I just read this OPs first thread. A lot of positive insight, was actually a very good read.

I would hang in there man, it is not uncommon to really enjoy your first gig, post instructing. You might actually enjoy it, work your way up and eventually make a good wage, if it is away from home, possibly have a rotation? The climb sometimes isn't at high as it seems...and sometimes you just don't know that until you have found the right company.

[KAG]

You've been instructing for 5 years and have only 700 hours?
If thats the case you need to leave that job.

[Shiny Side Up]

You've been instructing for 5 years and have only 700 hours?
If thats the case you need to leave that job.

Exactly, or at least review why you're doing so little time instructing, especially in Alberta. Most gainfully employed instructors I know are doing about 3-400 hours a year. There's quite a few busy schools in the province.