What are all you laid off pilots going to do with yourselves?

Question

Not trying to be sarcastic-- i'm genuinely interested in your back up plan.

I was a pilot turned truck driver ( actually have made more money driving a truck).

A lot of pilots drive trucks, but be weary--its not as easy as it seems and you get no respect whatsover so leave your stars and bars at the door.

Answer 1

I'm glad you found another career.  I wasn't furloughed, but I did leave the industry.  I went back to my old career... engineering.

I knew many pilots with worthless degrees from the big aviation universities in the US with majors in "Aviation Science" or "Aviation Management".  Some of them or just scraping by, working at places like Home Depot.  Still, I knew many others that ran side businesses that could support them if furloughed.  Franchises, Real-Estate, lots of different things.  Some others moved to other countries to fly for non-US airlines.

Tough career.

Answer 2

So if it isn't sarcasm, are you looking for reassurance?

I would assume most are going to pursue other aviation jobs.  It might be a ladder that is fragile and always falling apart, but success is possible no matter what industry we are talking about.  A persevering spirit is at the heart of most successful pilots.  Although most pilots I know who leave aviation make a lot more money than truck drivers because they are well-educated, intellectually aggressive, personable, talented, and highly skilled in a few areas.  So maybe there is more to this story than we can see...

I can leave my rank in the next building if you like, but the fact remains that I have been trained and entrusted to fly multi-million dollar killing machines where many people have not.  I have done some good things in my life and have moved forward through many struggles and utter failures.  Money isn't the only driver at work here, so please don't simplify it as such.

Everyone has to stop flying at some point.  Some sooner, some later.  Throw me another thumbs down, right down the pipe, I'm ready and waiting, but that doesn't change how correct I am.

Answer 3

Fly at some other operation.

Answer 4

Some will go to another airline, some will go corporate or teach people to fly. And some will leave the industry completely and only fly for recreation.

Always has been that way. I'd probably go back to teaching people to fly but only part-time. I'd find something else to do that pays better.