No plan B. Everything I know how to do right now is pretty bad. And I been through troubled times once before. So I'm just buckling up to ride through it once again.
Plan A: Pilot - no comment needed as that's looking like a tough road
Plan B: Executive Recruiting - well, as of today a couple announcements come from my historical client base... and hiring is slowing across not only my aviation niche but also the corporate ranks of the oil/gas industry (believe it or not!), construction industry, manufacturing, retail, and finanical industries. That's every niche I know. Not sure if healthcare or IT has slowed, but those aren't my expertise or interest areas.
Plan C: Corporate Training (Sales, Motivational, etc.) - well, that dries up as well since when companies cut back, outside training consultants in those areas are not needed. So that service offering I have is not a good option.
Plan D: Career Consulting and Life Coaching - well, this was only lucrative at the executive and VIP levels since the average person can't pay enough to utilize my services. But, this business tends to tapper off during tough times since if an executive is not sure if they can find work, they won't spend extra money on these services. They actually do the right thing. They focus on networking every waking hour they have. They tend to use career counseling services when looking confidentially for the next best thing, when they are already employed! And they use the Life Coaching part usually only when their careers are paying them a lot of money but they can't figure out why their life is still out of control. So these options are out.
Plan E: Ummm, yeah... See Plan A - I guess I might as well stick to flying. That's where my heart is anyway. There is always a flying job somewhere out there, just like in any other industry that is struggling. It may get real competitive and you may need to change your life and move across the country. But sometimes you just have to do what you have to do. I'll do what ever it takes to keep pursuing my passion of flying. After all, there are still real estate agents who stick it out for the love of real estate. God bless them too!