Tuckster

How about non-flying jobs ...... even overseas ?? I'm retired and have been offered (2) FO positions at 2 Regionals. I only have 600 TT (87 ME) so its regional flying or nothing and after reading about the QOL at the regionals, I'm re-thinking the flying part and looking into dispatching or similar. I want to travel, kids are grown, but if overseas, would want a gig where I could come home occasionally.... Any suggestions ??

TheBaron

Forgive me if I make a false assumption here but since you say you are retired I will assume you are older. Northwest Airlines is always looking for older people to be flight attendants. If you are divorced, bitter, unfriendly, and haggard you meet all their requirements. If you are really old and mean you may even qualify to work business class on the long-haul international flights.

Tuckster

Yes older ... but I can fly so why FA ?? I'm married, happy with myself and my family, bored to death since my retirement and want to travel. Sounds like QOL at the regionals is less than desirable and since I'm not looking to build my way to a major ..... I thought a non-flying job with an airline may be fun ???

ictflyer23

HMMMM... and I thought this was a pilot forum -- surely there is a "bean-counter" forum somewhere.

TheBaron

A desk job at an airline is just that...a desk job. Travel benefits aren't what they are cracked up to be when you're going space available with todays load factors. I think most pilots traveling with their families choose to buy tickets, especially if they have firm holiday plans. Jumpseating is even more difficult in the post 9-11 world unless you are flight crew and CASS, and that doesn't help out your wife. My response was really a sarcastic jab at NWA fa's but in reality it wouldn't be a bad way to go if you just want to travel. Couldn't be any worse than regional flying.

MaydayMark

Now that's pretty darn funny ...

Flaps50

If you have nothing to lose I'd try the flying gig. This is a time in history that is pretty unique considering your qualifications can get you a job flying a regional jet. I'd take it and try it out. You'll get a lot of experiences and memories flying, that you can take with you into your next retirement.

SaltyDog

With your desires, I agree with Flaps 50. Take the regional job that has the best set up vis a vis travel benefits with a major network for you and the spouse. Have your spouse travel with you on some better layovers. When I worked at a Commuter (now regional) in the early 90's, met lots of flight attendants (FA)who did so for exactly the reasons just stated. Older women who wanted travel benefits with with their husbands. Since you can get hired as a pilot, more upside than FA and it allows you cockpit access even if spouse in back. Also, some carriers allow international jumpseat. Since second career, you won't have the angst that bothers 99.9 percent of us who were climbing to the next level. If you are financially able to live in a few years on regional F/O pay, you can bypass the upgrade to Capt, live in the domicile (or bid the domicile of your choice) be the number one F/O in domicile, pick the line you want, and love life as a regional pilot. Quality of life could be really good since that is your priority. Best of luck

CactusCrew

I'm confused ... ?

I thought "retired" meant looking for hobbies, pursuing other interests (thats a management term) or chasing sunsets and tropical breezes ...

I didn't know it meant actively pursuing employment flying RJs or working ovreseas not flying ...

If the later is true, I've been retired twice at least !

Radials Rule

I'm with SaltyDog. If you can afford it, get the regional pilot gig. Shoot for an airline that has a domicile nearest your home and then bid to fly as little as possible. This should help mitigate crappy QOL if that is an issue.

Perhaps even consider a scheduled 135 gig like Flight Express. You'll be senior there in 6 months and you can pick the gravy daytime runs. SWA, Airtran, ATA, Frontier have all been known to take 135 jumpseaters