Creative ways to make ends meet while breaking into the industry

KatanaHawk

KatanaHawk

Well-Known Member
Since I started flying I have been faced with the reality that it's expensive (duh) and that it takes years to make a livable wage. I've wanted to fly all my life (and still do, the last decade of struggling in aviation hasn't killed my motivation yet), so I took out the requisite loans and did my training, and am now working at a fairly decent CFI job while I build enough time to start my experience dealing with the dreaded first year FO pay. Still, it's not easy, those loan payments combined with the cost of living are crushing, there's only so much you can cut back and only so much ramen one can eat. I'm sure this is something we have all faced at one time or another.

The truth of the industry is that, at least starting out, pilots are severely underpaid, and the only semi-feasible way to get the required flight time required for the higher paying jobs is to find the least demeaning time-building job you can and pay your dues. CFI pay or the first few years as a regional FO cannot support someone without special circumstances (i.e., no family and/or financially supportive parents, no student loans, etc). I know we all (or, most of us at least, as far as I know) are fighting for higher starting pay in the ways we can, while balancing the need to eat and pay bills.

I know the above topic has been debated endlessly, and that's not really the point of my post. I'd like to move beyond that for a second and see what all y'alls have done or plan to do (side gigs/secondary income streams) to get to a livable position while working in the industry. I'm curious as to what stories and differing backgrounds and paths we all have taken.

While my secondary background is in computer science, most of my side income has come through a couple of retail jobs (which really cuts down on the time one is available to fly and prolongs this whole process). My dream has been to do some sort of freelance web development on the side, but that's still a work in progress. What have you done to get through your first few years working in aviation?
 
I worked three part time jobs. That meant I couldn't officially be a full time CFI (though I was at the school 45-50 hours a week). I also cleaned corporate jets at night and did as much time at my Guard unit as I could. If I hadn't had the military gig, I probably would have went back to delivering pizza. I basically did whatever I could to scape up some spare change and make friends. I answered an ad in the newspaper for a roommate to save a couple hundred a month until I could afford to splurge on my own place. These days, if my wife and I tire of the expense of convenience, we get rid of the convenience. Food is super expensive. We have our desires there, but many things that we can buy in bulk are bought in bulk. We made it a rule so it will actually make a financial difference.

You really wanna know how people get debt free, though? There are 2 things that, if done at the same time, work almost every time. The first thing you do is don't take out anymore debt. The second thing you do is "live without". Once you figure out the absolute minimum you can live off of, make every raise go to your debt. Oh, a third thing...become an expert at making your debt cost you the least amount of money. There are tons of programs that help you get out of debt while prioritizing your debt payments at "feel good" level. If you're any good at basic math, you can get out of debt faster by prioritizing your debt payments to making your highest interest drawers your highest priority. It's actually eye-opening if you have a diverse debt profile.

Probably mostly stuff you've heard before, but I'm not very original :)
 
Definitely appreciate the advice! Yes I've heard it before and follow all of it. I think I'm managing pretty well, it'll just take time and constant effort to improve. Worth it though, I hope. I included that more as a backdrop to my question rather than anything else. Glad to hear I'm not the only one who couldn't CFI full-time because of other jobs! Doing Guard sounds like it was a good, stable call.
 
What I did was pay for all my training without getting into debt by spending almost twenty years in another industry. My first season i Alaska, I'm still doing it on the side, which is allowing me to stay above water. Not sure I can recommend it, as I'm now 34 (even though I feel half my age) and just getting started... but it works for me and I have no real complaints.

It's not a very 'fair' industry—having rich parents, aviation in the family, etc, puts you ridiculously ahead in the game... but it is what it is.


Not too helpful for the OP, I assume... but it's all I've got.

-Fox
 
Probably would've been better to do the Guard thing right out of high school so you can get your flight training completely paid for. After the fact, not nearly as much benefit in that regard IMO.
 
I would have to completely disagree. You're full time for 3 or 4 years as an officer and that allowed me the cash to pay off all my college debt. Also the experience of being in the military, going to UPT and getting to wake up and fly C-130s transcends money. There is a lot more to life than money (I mean that's why we're all professional pilots right?) and I must say some days I enjoy flying at the airline, but every day I enjoy flying the Herc. Not to mention great benifits for part time work, and a place to actually call home.
 
Last edited:
Acrofox said:
What I did was pay for all my training without getting into debt by spending almost twenty years in another industry. My first season i Alaska, I'm still doing it on the side, which is allowing me to stay above water. Not sure I can recommend it, as I'm now 34 (even though I feel half my age) and just getting started... but it works for me and I have no real complaints.

It's not a very 'fair' industry—having rich parents, aviation in the family, etc, puts you ridiculously ahead in the game... but it is what it is.

Not too helpful for the OP, I assume... but it's all I've got.

-Fox
Click to expand...
That's more or less what I did. I did benefit from having the family plan too, but I had a whole 'nother career that paid for the majority of my flight training. I also do software work nowadays on the side. It's a good hobby and very different from the day in, day out repetition that is line flying.
 
Soku39 said:
I would have to completely disagree. You're full time for 3 or 4 years as an officer and that allowed me the cash to pay off all my college debt. Also the experience of being in the military, going to UPT and getting to wake up and fly C-130s transcends money. There is a lot more to life than money (I mean that's why we're all professional pilots right?) and I must say some days I enjoy flying at the airline, but every day I enjoy flying the Herc. Not to mention great benifits for part time work, and a place to actually call home.
Click to expand...

Amen. I will always recommend becoming an Officer. The pay is just radically different. You'll make more as a Day 1 butterbar than any first year Regional, and by the time you make Captain, you'll be pushing $70-80k depending on TDY/deployments. Granted, you've got to WANT to be an officer first. The flying is secondary, and that's why most people get burned out on active duty (like I did).

Guard is the perfect middle ground- be an officer and aviator, without the desk work. You'll do the kinds of flying you'd never dream of doing in a large aircraft anywhere else. Formation, 300ft AGL in the mountains (lower if you do SpecOps, and IMC...those guys have massive balls), throwing people and crap out the back with a 6-man crew that feels like a pirate ship. No refueling mandates you'll never be in the air for longer than 10 hours, and have to stop (and party) 2-3 times on your way overseas. Low deployment rate. Fly when you want, as often as you need. Live wherever you want (we had a guy living in Guam who stayed current). Get paid to take extended vacations. Get paid to see god-forsaken hellholes.

/soapbox. Guard flying just fits perfectly with a flying career.
 
It's easy to say fly in the Guard, but isn't it very hard to do? I know guys with degrees who have been trying for years and can't get in anywhere as a pilot. I'd love to do it after college, if I could. We do have Moffett right here in the Bay Area with C-130s, they seem to rarely fly tho.

To the OP, I can't help you with the debt solution, as I've stayed out of debt so far. That being said, I started flying in 2005 and have a PPL with 180 hours. Then again, I've had so many huge non-flying expenses in the past few years that I've been broke even living at my parent's place. Don't know how the hell I would have even survived if I had a loan out for flying. I am doing a lot of non-flying stuff to try and secure money to fly and for my future since flying won't allow me the lifestyle I desire. Do you have any non-flying hobbies? Find ways to take everything you love to do and are naturally talented at and make money off of them. It's still hard work, but it's very rewarding. Especially if you can get into a creative field and make a name for yourself. I don't know your personality type, but if you're very outgoing and make friends easily, find ways to get people to pay you do stuff in an airplane. Got to think outside the box on that one, but if I had the damn money/time to get my commercial, I know I'd be doing some really cool one-of-a-kind gigs right now. Just gotta keep an open mind and make a lot of friends.
 
Last edited:
ChasenSFO said:
It's easy to say fly in the Guard, but isn't it very hard to do? I know guys with degrees who have been trying for years and can't get in anywhere as a pilot. I'd love to do it after college, if I could. We do have Moffett right here in the Bay Area with C-130s, they seem to rarely fly tho.
Click to expand...

It is very much a referral-only program, especially if you're a street hire (no military background). They're investing 2 years of training plus a 10 year commitment, with potential to spend 30+ years with you, so they're basically hiring you into a family. Guys that quit/fail out are a big burden, and the units trust guys they know. For most places, you're expected to "rush" the unit...showing up to drills, hanging out, making friends, and letting us know you're not socially inept. Flight experience is a plus, but less important than personality.
 
NewYorkophile said:
It is very much a referral-only program, especially if you're a street hire (no military background). They're investing 2 years of training plus a 10 year commitment, with potential to spend 30+ years with you, so they're basically hiring you into a family. Guys that quit/fail out are a big burden, and the units trust guys they know. For most places, you're expected to "rush" the unit...showing up to drills, hanging out, making friends, and letting us know you're not socially inept. Flight experience is a plus, but less important than personality.
Click to expand...
I've been told a good way to get in locally at Moffett is to show up to a BBQ they have every so often and introduce yourself to the guys. I get that part, but as far as the drills, anyone can just show up?
 
ChasenSFO said:
I've been told a good way to get in locally at Moffett is to show up to a BBQ they have every so often and introduce yourself to the guys. I get that part, but as far as the drills, anyone can just show up?
Click to expand...

Yep! I'd call and talk to the Chief Pilot to ask when the next drill weekend is, and if it's cool to come by. Some drills may be bad because we're doing deployment prep stuff, but most are pretty laid back. They'll be able to get you in the gate too.

Keep in mind that the Chief Pilot is likely "the guy" who is going to weigh-in on the hiring decision. Be nice.

Edit: Also, Moffett is SpecOps. Only apply if you're willing to deploy, fly some rather dangerous missions in unfriendly places, and never be able to tell anyone where you went. Expect slightly less "laid back" environment than a slick Herk unit, because it's very likely you'll be shot at at some point in your career, moreso than the rest of us.
 
NewYorkophile said:
Yep! I'd call and talk to the Chief Pilot to ask when the next drill weekend is, and if it's cool to come by. Some drills may be bad because we're doing deployment prep stuff, but most are pretty laid back. They'll be able to get you in the gate too.

Keep in mind that the Chief Pilot is likely "the guy" who is going to weigh-in on the hiring decision. Be nice.

Edit: Also, Moffett is SpecOps. Only apply if you're willing to deploy, fly some rather dangerous missions in unfriendly places, and never be able to tell anyone where you went. Expect slightly less "laid back" environment than a slick Herk unit, because it's very likely you'll be shot at at some point in your career, moreso than the rest of us.
Click to expand...
That sounds pretty badass. I won't have my degree for another 4-6 years depending on the pace I can complete it, but it wouldn't hurt to pop in every once in a while and get on a first name basis with some guys. Thanks.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top