I left BA in 98 and went on a pub management training course - i got my first pub 12 weeks later and then moved to a Rat and Parrot branded pub after that. After 2 years went into the hotel trade as duty manager which i hated. Went back to flying after someone told me I would never get back in!!!! Flew for another 6 months with easyjet then left and bought a pub. It's amazing how many life skills you learn in the flying industry - 12 years of flying helps you learn to deal with people that other people would have difficulty with. First aid and emergency training also come in handy in any other job. So yes there is life outside flying - the only thing i hate about not flying is after a 14 hour day - i am still in the same place and not in a nice hotel room on the other side of the world.