Working Life After Flying
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Working Life After Flying
As the implications of the current crisis begin to emerge, no doubt many of us are taking stock of our positions and considering what outcomes might mean for us and our families. When I - personally - try and imagine a worst case scenario facing me - i.e. compulsory redundancy on statutory terms, I’m at a loss about what to do next. I was fortunate to embark on a flying career shortly after leaving university, so my only experiences other work have been fairly menial - and my degree itself is could be described as mediocre and specifically related to aviation.
I wonder if there’s anyone still lurking here that has left a career in flying - either voluntarily or otherwise - that would mind sharing their story - successful or otherwise - about finding gainful employment thereafter. Perhaps some of us here can draw on these posts - not only as a source of positivity and hope - but as a potential source of ideas, too. It seems particularly difficult to divert attention away from the worries ahead - and so instead of worrying about things that are currently beyond my control, I want to try and focus that attention more productively. I for one am grateful for any contributions.
I know this does’t specifically relate to the ‘Terms and Endearment’ we all face in our current positions - but I dare say that is where the target audience may well be lurking. If there’s a more important place for it then I apologise.
I wonder if there’s anyone still lurking here that has left a career in flying - either voluntarily or otherwise - that would mind sharing their story - successful or otherwise - about finding gainful employment thereafter. Perhaps some of us here can draw on these posts - not only as a source of positivity and hope - but as a potential source of ideas, too. It seems particularly difficult to divert attention away from the worries ahead - and so instead of worrying about things that are currently beyond my control, I want to try and focus that attention more productively. I for one am grateful for any contributions.
I know this does’t specifically relate to the ‘Terms and Endearment’ we all face in our current positions - but I dare say that is where the target audience may well be lurking. If there’s a more important place for it then I apologise.
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I tried that with my 'career advice for pilots' thread a week or so ago. Queue lots of burying heads in sand, anger, and eventually the thread has disappeared off Rumours and News thanks to the moderators.
Good luck to all.
Good luck to all.
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After the Thomas Cook collapse last year, a few guys decided to jack it in and do either something they had done in the past or pursue something new. At least 2 have gone for financial services, a couple back to LA Instructing, consultancy for CRM and a few more avenues I can't remember. The problem is that not many alternatives pay even close to a SFO's salary let alone a Captains, but needs must etc. and I doubt many will miss the working environment of 21st century aviation.
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As someone like stacks staring down the barrel of it going.
I've an HGV licence so I’m filling out the form to renew my tacho card. Provided (big if) I can find driving work not having driven a lorry for years then I can bring in some money. I’ve done it before it’s hard work and you’re treated like dirt but it’s a job. But beyond that no idea, I’m middle aged, been in flying twenty years, no degree, nothing else. Rabbit in headlights.
i just don't know.
I've an HGV licence so I’m filling out the form to renew my tacho card. Provided (big if) I can find driving work not having driven a lorry for years then I can bring in some money. I’ve done it before it’s hard work and you’re treated like dirt but it’s a job. But beyond that no idea, I’m middle aged, been in flying twenty years, no degree, nothing else. Rabbit in headlights.
i just don't know.
I Have Control
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Voluntary work involving driving is good for the interim. Generally one receives reimbursement for mileage, and possibly mobile, It is a good way to keep busy, and allows one to demonstrate at interview that you have done something constructive with your time. And it can be rewarding spiritually, just to do good for others. (I am not preaching religion here, btw)
Of course, there's always Netflix...
Of course, there's always Netflix...
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As someone like stacks staring down the barrel of it going.
I've an HGV licence so I’m filling out the form to renew my tacho card. Provided (big if) I can find driving work not having driven a lorry for years then I can bring in some money. I’ve done it before it’s hard work and you’re treated like dirt but it’s a job. But beyond that no idea, I’m middle aged, been in flying twenty years, no degree, nothing else. Rabbit in headlights.
i just don't know.
I've an HGV licence so I’m filling out the form to renew my tacho card. Provided (big if) I can find driving work not having driven a lorry for years then I can bring in some money. I’ve done it before it’s hard work and you’re treated like dirt but it’s a job. But beyond that no idea, I’m middle aged, been in flying twenty years, no degree, nothing else. Rabbit in headlights.
i just don't know.
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I lost my job. I've only 1500 TT, most on the 73. I've been looking at getting the HGV licence and going down that route. I've an engineering degree but it's aviation related. Every job I've worked for the last number of years was in aviation so it's been very difficult to make the CV enticing to what little jobs might be available. Anyone else have any good recommendations?
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Since HGV driving seems to continually get mentioned here, what is the market like at the moment for HGV drivers?
I had just presumed there would have been a glut of drivers on the market, what with much of industry around the world closed. In the past it hasn't always been that easy to get a start driving if you do not have some sort of experience.
Like most others on here i'm a one trick pony type of guy. All my employment "plan B's" seem to have disappeared in the last month.
I had just presumed there would have been a glut of drivers on the market, what with much of industry around the world closed. In the past it hasn't always been that easy to get a start driving if you do not have some sort of experience.
Like most others on here i'm a one trick pony type of guy. All my employment "plan B's" seem to have disappeared in the last month.
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32 years of professional flying... Now relearning woodwork and cabinet making which I enjoyed immensely as a teenager! Hope to still have my flying job of course but I'll let y'all know in six months.
Very best to all of you for the future
Very best to all of you for the future
Likewise. I can do what I did before flying, which is television broadcasting - things like BBC, BT or SKY football, horse racing etc.
However, that has all stopped as well. Doh ! Bugger !
Good luck people; hang in there
.
However, that has all stopped as well. Doh ! Bugger !
Good luck people; hang in there
.
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Thanks, much appreciated. I had completed my CPC when made redundant before 6 years ago and returned to it. It expired so I need to do the 35 hours again. I’ve just read you can do courses online but only until June time.
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Passion
When a grad student asked Warren Buffet what industry they should consider for the future, he responded that they should follow their passion not a job. For many of us aviation was the passion but I'm sure it's not the only passion - often there is a second and/or even third choice. I was fortunate in that after 30 years of aviation, i could fall back to my other passion which was IT where I maintained currency/awareness during my aviation career. Heaven for me would be to marry the two but beyond the cockpit, innovation and deployment of technology can be very slow in the aviation sector - I haven't given up 
.
A degree or an ATPL infers the ability to learn and when coupled to the desire to adapt, no option should be off the table. In the IT world there are specific technology courses available and highly accredited certifications in demand areas which includes everything from help desk support as a starting point to full stack development, or even project coordination/management where experiential analytical skills, structure and process can be applied (for less technically inclined). Remember this - no matter what the technology framework, we will be increasingly storing massive amounts of data - 1) big data and AI, we will need to move it around - 2) Networking and finally all the data, networks and infrastructure must be secure - 3) Security. There are courses and certifications in all of these areas.
I've been lucky but even though it is no longer my career, i am truly saddened by the pain in the sector for all those who were and remain as passionate about aviation as myself. The very best of luck to all of you and blue skies.
.A degree or an ATPL infers the ability to learn and when coupled to the desire to adapt, no option should be off the table. In the IT world there are specific technology courses available and highly accredited certifications in demand areas which includes everything from help desk support as a starting point to full stack development, or even project coordination/management where experiential analytical skills, structure and process can be applied (for less technically inclined). Remember this - no matter what the technology framework, we will be increasingly storing massive amounts of data - 1) big data and AI, we will need to move it around - 2) Networking and finally all the data, networks and infrastructure must be secure - 3) Security. There are courses and certifications in all of these areas.
I've been lucky but even though it is no longer my career, i am truly saddened by the pain in the sector for all those who were and remain as passionate about aviation as myself. The very best of luck to all of you and blue skies.
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Train Driver here. Circa 61k for our company when qualified, 14-18 months of training. I know drivers who have grossed 6 figures with overtime etc. Was doing my commercial ratings for flying and grateful to have a career on the railway. Don’t just do it for the money. All driver training training stopped currently and recruitment for Trainee Drivers frozen. Not a career you can ‘just walk into’.
Good luck.
PM if anyone wants more details.
Good luck.
PM if anyone wants more details.
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I know a friend who went for train driver job but think it’s highly competitive to get especially for ‘outsiders’.
All though not redundant yet think I’ll be lucky to get through this and also a one trick pony.
If UK based checkout https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/ they’ve got quite a few free courses and since it’s linked to the government website believe there’s credibility to them. I’ve been doing an Excel course and hope to do more courses from there. Something extra to put on the CV instead of just flying.
Surely we’ve got to have developed some skills over the years relevant to the outside world of employment.
All though not redundant yet think I’ll be lucky to get through this and also a one trick pony.
If UK based checkout https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/ they’ve got quite a few free courses and since it’s linked to the government website believe there’s credibility to them. I’ve been doing an Excel course and hope to do more courses from there. Something extra to put on the CV instead of just flying.
Surely we’ve got to have developed some skills over the years relevant to the outside world of employment.
Hi everyone, long time lurker and first time poster!
First of all let me say how sorry I am to hear what you're all going through at the moment. It must be dreadful and I can't begin to imagine how stressful this all is.
I got into train driving after university as the pilot idea slipped further and further into the realm of dreams. I worked for the railway while I was a student to pay for my tuition fees, so I already had a vague understanding what driving entailed. Definitely something I wouldn't hesitate to recommend to anyone wishing to enter a new profession. After a few years of keeping a clean licence, no operational incidents etc I was lucky enough to be offered a job with what was then Virgin Trains East Coast (now LNER) and I can honestly say I've never looked back. We're currently on a 4 day, 35 hour week and where I'm based the basic salary is about £75k. Like my driver colleague above mentioned, with a little overtime then hitting 6 figures certainly isn't an impossibility. Add to that the final salary pension, free rail travel/parking benefits and it suddenly adds up to a good package. I do a little bit of overtime here and there and I got just under £91k last year. I understand nothing can beat the flying bug and that you haven't invested all that money to walk away and drive trains. Apart from the odd moment where I'm doing a prep (similar to your walk-arounds) and the sight of an A380 holding above the depot evokes a little jealousy, I can honestly say I can't be happier with this job and what it has done for my life.
I understand it won't appeal to all, but I'll happily reply to any PMs if you want any more information.
Best of luck to everyone.
First of all let me say how sorry I am to hear what you're all going through at the moment. It must be dreadful and I can't begin to imagine how stressful this all is.
I got into train driving after university as the pilot idea slipped further and further into the realm of dreams. I worked for the railway while I was a student to pay for my tuition fees, so I already had a vague understanding what driving entailed. Definitely something I wouldn't hesitate to recommend to anyone wishing to enter a new profession. After a few years of keeping a clean licence, no operational incidents etc I was lucky enough to be offered a job with what was then Virgin Trains East Coast (now LNER) and I can honestly say I've never looked back. We're currently on a 4 day, 35 hour week and where I'm based the basic salary is about £75k. Like my driver colleague above mentioned, with a little overtime then hitting 6 figures certainly isn't an impossibility. Add to that the final salary pension, free rail travel/parking benefits and it suddenly adds up to a good package. I do a little bit of overtime here and there and I got just under £91k last year. I understand nothing can beat the flying bug and that you haven't invested all that money to walk away and drive trains. Apart from the odd moment where I'm doing a prep (similar to your walk-arounds) and the sight of an A380 holding above the depot evokes a little jealousy, I can honestly say I can't be happier with this job and what it has done for my life.
I understand it won't appeal to all, but I'll happily reply to any PMs if you want any more information.
Best of luck to everyone.
