Alternative Career Route
 

Been flying in the airlines for under 2 years now, with a lot that's happened thus far I genuinely can't see myself continuing after a decade. Wanted to ask any former ex pilots if any had a change of careers perhaps 10-15 years after flying and decided that is no longer passionate about the job anymore, what did you end up doing? I'm trying to look for departments within the airline that i may potentially be able to find work in but seeing as to how specific/specialized our skill is there really isn't much areas where theres much opportunities of transfer.

Sorry to hear you're dispirited by flying for a living. But it's not for everyone long term and perhaps it's fortunate you've recognized this early on.

I didn't research your location but if you are in a country where the aircraft dispatcher is a licensed position, you might take a look at that. It would allow a direct transfer of your pilot knowledge base into a paying position using that knowledge base without the stick and rudder stuff.

However, I don't know how lucrative a dispatcher career is in other countries. In the US at the legacy level, it's a pretty nice career financially. Outside the legacy area, I just don't know.

Best of luck in your decision process.

How about an APS MCC instructor?

I currently work on the railway as a Signaller and there are a lot of transferable skills that I’m sure would make you an attractive candidate either as a driver or a signaller. I’ve met a few former pilots who joined when they lost their jobs during Covid.

Obviously you may have no interest at all in working on the railway but there are opportunities within that world.

I have worked in a number of roles before deciding to go back to being purely a line pilot (mostly because I am a lot happier not having to deal with emails, phone calls etc at home and am therefore definitely not management pilot material!). Flight safety, ops, training, recruitment - all offer a route that is incredibly fulfilling and important, and will give you a great insight into the “bigger picture” and bring much needed operational knowledge and insight to that role. It will likely also mean you can still do some flying, but not so much that it becomes the daily grind you are obviously feeling now.

Every ops, safety, sustainability, recruitment and training department I have known has been keen on having pilots join their team. Reach out to the people who send you the “operational update” email, speak to the safety manager - maybe they need someone to help with FDM validation or to help with ASRs… have a cup of tea with the chief pilot that YOU asked for :E

Within an airline pilots are often very focussed on their core skillset of safely operating an aeroplane, but all too often neglect the fact that they have a skillset and deep knowledge of the operation and its challenges that is incredibly valuable to the rest of the company - and we need to be advocates for that fact.

What interests you? Training? Safety? Regulations & Performance?
If you can, consider going part time and studying for suitable qualifications. Such as a Masters in Aviation Psychology or Human Factors. Engineering, etc.