What are Other career options if you end up not being able to fly

K

Keysersoce

New Member
I am trying to get an idea of what I could do if I end up spending 40K to get licensed to fly for the regionals, and then something unforseen happens and I can't fly anymore(maybe I can't pass the medical exam). Will all that money I spent on flight school go to waste? or will I be able to do something to utilize that education.

Thanks in advance.

P.S. I've got a 4 yr degree in Marketing, but I have no interest in this field.
 
If you don't have a medical or can't fly for any reason, all of those ratings have pretty much gone into the crapper.

You could maybe work as a simulator instructor if you've got excellent communications skills and loads of operational experience in the aircraft, but I certainly wouldn't consider that a backup.
 
Re: What are Other career options if you end up not being able to

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If you don't have a medical or can't fly for any reason, all of those ratings have pretty much gone into the crapper.

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Not sure if this is normal, but I know XJT offers loss of medical insurance from day one for their pilots. Can you teach ground schools without a medical? Not the most glamorous job, but it's something.
 
Re: What are Other career options if you end up not being able to

Yeah loss of medical insurance, is the industry norm, but it only equals about 1 years pay - or atleast it does in the UK.

You can teach ground school without a medical, but it is not going to make you great money - especially if you lost your medical when you were making 6 figures.
 
Re: What are Other career options if you end up not being able to

For me I'd say a psychologist or maybe a social worker. But the idea of having to get a PH.D to work as a psychologist is less then entertaining.
But now that lain mentions it gay porn is always an option I'm pretty hung up down there....

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-Matthew
 
Re: What are Other career options if you end up not being able to

Loss of medical is a defined benefit. After about a year it either drops off or has a max benefit level.

It's great for short term medical disqualification, but if you're out long-term, you're kinda boned.
 
Re: What are Other career options if you end up not being able to

You could look into law enforcement...
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Surf

p.s. We just finished our first week at the academy...wow, what an experience. jonnyb knows EXACTLY what I'm going through.
 
Re: What are Other career options if you end up not being able to

Is it hard to lose your medical? I know I need to ask a doctor this question, but have you heard of anybody that has lost it? and why did they lose it?

Maybe this will give me an excuse to start getting into shape.

I already tried to get into porn, and it didn't work out. They said I didn't meet the size requirement.
 
Re: What are Other career options if you end up not being able to

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Is it hard to lose your medical?

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No and yes! You can run, eat well, sleep well and take care of yourself and still end up on the medically disqualified list. It's a pretty hard job on your body. Standard things like hypertension, diabetes, sleep apnea (common in pilots) can put you on the sidelines. In fact, one of my associates from work apparently needs a kidney. Hey, btw, what's your blood type?
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I'm not trying to paint an overly negative picture, but medical disqualification is a clear threat for the duration of your career. Some things you can control thru diet, exercise and cutting back on the free happy hour buffet in Hartford, but there are other things that you're simply genetically predisposed to that you can't control.

Like men on my fathers side of the family tend not to last too long for a variety of reasons. Which is why I tend to "front load" my life with living and travel because chances are, if I make it to retirement, I'm going to be a wreck.

Realizing my own mortality is actually a positive!
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If you can find access to a seniority list from an airline that lists things like "medical leave", take a gander. I'd show you mine, but I don't want a telephone call from the chief pilot office about divulging proprietary information on the internet.

Too many wackoes out there that love to snitch on me.

And have.
 
Re: What are Other career options if you end up not being able to

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Is it hard to lose your medical?

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I lost mine once after my appendix ruptured due to the medication I was on. Took a while, but got it back just to lose it again to Type 1 Diabetes. Well I shouldn't say lost it, but it had expired, and hadn't gotten a chance to renew it before I was diagnosed. But I know I'm not eligable. Guess that qualifies me for the new sport rating.
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Re: What are Other career options if you end up not being able to

Have you considered becoming a Private Investigator as an back up. It's pretty easy to get started through the union and the money's not bad at all.

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Please, no sexually ambiguous Magnum P.I. pics again!
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[ QUOTE ]
I am trying to get an idea of what I could do if I end up spending 40K to get licensed to fly for the regionals, and then something unforseen happens and I can't fly anymore(maybe I can't pass the medical exam). Will all that money I spent on flight school go to waste? or will I be able to do something to utilize that education.

Thanks in advance.

P.S. I've got a 4 yr degree in Marketing, but I have no interest in this field.

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My two cents worth...ok a dollar...ok five bucks...never could keep it short!

This applies to any profession. You go to medical school, spend tons of money, get all qualified as a surgeon, and end up getting some sort of physical impairment that prevents you from doing surgery.

Or a lawyer...naw...bad example, they never get anything that prevents them from being...well a lawyer. And if they do, they can always run for Congress! Or the White House!

But I digress...

In all seriousness, ALWAYS have in the back of your mind something you can fall back on. While great strides have been made in medicine, and what used to be a problem in flying that is no more (like open heart surgery, heart attacks, vision problems) there are still things that will keep you from getting a medical. Or other things that might keep you from getting your certificate taken away.

So...have a plan, an idea. That's why I emphasize you cannot have too much education...too much KSA (knowledge, skills, abilities) in other than your chosen or present field.

Goes back to the old adage,

"The best defense is a good offense". Or better yet, the Boy Scouts,

"Be Prepared".

The other plus is that when you retire, you have something to do that keeps your body and mind busy.

When we Delta Pilots were facing what could have been a strike, I was making plans for what I would do to make ends meet, beyond cutting expenses. I had done some simulator instructing in the KC10 school house after I retired, so that was one thing. I've spent all my life with a hobby of automotive repair, and small engine work. I had a big garage, all the tools, and could hang out a shingle "FBN Automotive Services" ("FBN stands for "Fly By Night") to get by in tough times.

Bottom line is, as with anything in life, you never know when you might be FORCED to change jobs, professions, or alter your career plans. If you have given it some thought, and have at least made some preparation, you will make it!

Millions made it through the Great Depression (like my parents), thousands threw themselves off tall buildings! Be the former...not the spot on the street!
 
Consider a career as a dispatcher. The dispatcher written is essentially the same test as the ATP written. There are quite a few dispatch schools out there, the one that comes to mind is Sheffield: http://www.sheffield.com/

Unfortunately, losing your medical can be a very easy thing to do. A friend who had just started instructing had a seizure one day for no apparent reason (the doctors think it may have been diet-related) and lost his medical and any chance for an airline career. Be prepared and always have a back-up.
 
Re: What are Other career options if you end up not being able to

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gay porn is always an option
-Matthew

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Why gay porn?
 
Re: What are Other career options if you end up not being able to

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Why gay porn?

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Psst, Matthew is homosexual!
 
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