Life after the airlines
- Thread starter Astro27
- Start date
Well, it wasn't by choice that I left the airlines. I was furloghed right after 9/11, spent 6 months on furlough, got recalled & displaced to LGA for 6 months, then furloughed again.
It was not my choice to leave the industry, but it has been my choice to not go back to the industry. United, Continental, and many other airlines have hired F/As, and I have not so much as completed an online interest form. I would rather spend these years with my kids while they're young. I hear Bill come home from his trips and tell the stories of obnoxious pax and his cell phone rings at 1am for inverse assignments and I watch thunderstorms go over ORD and I'm actually glad to not be involved in that anymore. I miss it less and less as the years go by. Airplanes will always be there for me to fly if and when I ever want to return to the industry. But for now, I'll buy a ticket when I want to go anywhere, keep my medical current and putz around in the Archer and maybe Dad's 310 (if he'll ever let me fly it
) when I want to fly!
It was not my choice to leave the industry, but it has been my choice to not go back to the industry. United, Continental, and many other airlines have hired F/As, and I have not so much as completed an online interest form. I would rather spend these years with my kids while they're young. I hear Bill come home from his trips and tell the stories of obnoxious pax and his cell phone rings at 1am for inverse assignments and I watch thunderstorms go over ORD and I'm actually glad to not be involved in that anymore. I miss it less and less as the years go by. Airplanes will always be there for me to fly if and when I ever want to return to the industry. But for now, I'll buy a ticket when I want to go anywhere, keep my medical current and putz around in the Archer and maybe Dad's 310 (if he'll ever let me fly it
) when I want to fly!
bike21
9-5 Ruins Lives
A good buddy of mine is leaving AWAC and getting his MBA next year. I know others have done real estate too. I guess it depends on what talent/skills you have to utilize outside of aviation.
As of right now I guess I could always go back to working in a bike shop. Those were fun days!
As of right now I guess I could always go back to working in a bike shop. Those were fun days!
I know three people like that.
Two of are now working at my company (one used to work for United, the other for Independence Air). With their thousands of hours of experience, they help us by bringing reality into the new concepts we come up with.
The other, also working with United, has started his own business with his wife, they maintain virtual offices for small businesses.
The two United guys are on an "extended leave of absence" and did it voluntarily.
Two of are now working at my company (one used to work for United, the other for Independence Air). With their thousands of hours of experience, they help us by bringing reality into the new concepts we come up with.
The other, also working with United, has started his own business with his wife, they maintain virtual offices for small businesses.
The two United guys are on an "extended leave of absence" and did it voluntarily.
Mr_Creepy
Well-Known Member
My story is at http://johntenney.com and is also partially told in a perspectives article on jetcareers.com.
In a nutshell, after a couple of years of De-Tox - I found out that I had been brainwashed and there really are many better things to do for a living than being a flying bus driver.
In a nutshell, after a couple of years of De-Tox - I found out that I had been brainwashed and there really are many better things to do for a living than being a flying bus driver.
Lemme think of the guys I know that left the airline business.
One's a stay at home dad.
Another one started a financial advisory business.
Another guy is doing home inspections.
One actually was able to start a fairly successful business designing websites for small businesses in Texas.
A couple of franchise owners.
One's practicing law full time.
LOTS of guys went back into the military on long term leave.
One guy couldn't get approved for leave so he resigned on the spot (true story!)
I think the Doctor (Vetrinary Medicine) my airline had as a pilot got furloughed and gave the industry the finger and went back to work as a Vet.
A LOT of the A+ guys said "B C N ya!"
av8sean
New Member
I know alot of airline guys go into real estate... I think the type-A personalities are often attracted to both professions.
Myself, although I've never actually worked as a professional pilot (just keeping all the certificates valid right now) I decided to take a break from aviation after college and went back into tech.... I have been working in IT since I turned 18yo, so when I graduated college I already had 5 years experience. Lets just say I already make more that the top payscale US Airways FO's (and about the same as a mid-level captain) and I'm 26..
Once I start getting back into aviation this year, (and hopefully get a flying job early 2007) I already have offers to do consulting on a part-time basis that can keep me quite happy ($$) while I'm making $22k a year working at a regional.
Myself, although I've never actually worked as a professional pilot (just keeping all the certificates valid right now) I decided to take a break from aviation after college and went back into tech.... I have been working in IT since I turned 18yo, so when I graduated college I already had 5 years experience. Lets just say I already make more that the top payscale US Airways FO's (and about the same as a mid-level captain) and I'm 26..
Once I start getting back into aviation this year, (and hopefully get a flying job early 2007) I already have offers to do consulting on a part-time basis that can keep me quite happy ($$) while I'm making $22k a year working at a regional.