Milk Man

Just curious as to what the furloughed pilots have been doing on their time of being furloughed?

Heard one guy flying for Waffle House and said it was amazing. But I thought the job overseas flying King Airs doing photo recon doin the 6 mo on/off would have been a great alternative for income.

iadfo

Flying a private jet for a narcissistic and high maintenance rich guy. It pays the bills and Im glad to have it, although I'm anxiously awaiting the call so I can have my life back.

pilotgolfer

I spent the first 14 months looking high and low for a job...both in and out of flying. The first job I found was flying a 747 for 18 days at a time. After about 10 months and 50 pounds of pound cake at the 5 Towns, I decided I wasn't cut out for that line of work.

I found a 737 charter job that I really enjoy now. I won't get rich doing it...but its been a heck of a lot of fun. Great people, fun passengers and flying an old 200.

Its funny IAD when you say you want your life back....I've felt that way for many years now. I'm just afraid I will get it back and realize it wasn't all that good in the first place!

Coto Pilot

Selling real estate and running a printing business, been gone two years next week.

DR Pilot

Stay at home Dad, Travel Agent and working the MEC Hotline. Still not enough money for a family of five. It will be two years October 14th.

LifeNtheFstLne

Donkey show in Tijuana, but just until I get my self respect back.

Keyscrab

Corporate 135 job supposedly for big shot operator. Acft manager was arrogant, crass a--hole (despite being major airline pilot). 24/7 on call, no schedule, no days off, pay for training. Glad when acft parked after owner got what he deserved.

Learned what the "United Stink" really means, got treated like crap by fellow "working" pilots at two carriers in particular. Had to endure endless conjecture about how their airlines would buy United and how they'd fly the 400 and be my captain if I came back. Real childish, moronic, sophomoric dumb-ss speculation. Just kept my trap shut and did what I had to do for my family.

Played with in interviews, told no way because of United or have to resign (really resign) for their dirtbag operation.

Hey Milk, you know what I learned? People enjoy kickin you while your down, especially if they know you can't do an effin thing about it.

But I'm still here baby, holding the line on my pride and this profession.

Some days it's harder than others, but always gets easier when I think I might end up like those sorry bastards.

uafurlough

Furloughed Jan 09, Mr. Mom for 16 months. Interviewed with VA, but, got the impression "why are you bothering", passed the ANA interview, but didn't get hired. Got turned down for a 135 gig flying a Meridian and a Barron, because, "airline guy's only know how to fly a 10 mile straight-in, plus I would leave any second to return to UA." Tried to find something outside aviation, but couldn't even get an interview.
Now flying the 747 classic ACMI, 20 on/ 10 off, on the far side of the world, with little support. It doesn't quite pay the bills, missing my little one's (3yr and 10 mo) growing up, and my wife hates the schedule. Looking forward to working 3/4 days on 3/4 days off, and easy domestic flying.

iad737

Last flight with UAL was 2 yrs ago tomorrow (ferry IAD-DCA). Nothing but unemployment for the first year - ditto on the "United stink." Since last Oct. been flying Navajos & C-340's for a 135 air ambulance operation. It's not bad for what it is, but it's perpetual reserve and has really been feast or famine. The busy season is Jan-Mar (mostly hauling snowbirds out of FL back up north when they get sick) and since April I've flown 12 days. Although in April I became a dad, so the schedule has worked great for that - just not the income.

skippy

total ual stink. been out since jan 13,2009. was out 9 months. now flying for a large on demand charter operator in a beechjet.
i couldnt get interviews for a car rental place in the airport -- i didnt even get a bank teller job, a full time middle school math teaching job, and home selling with a home builder-- im amazed that those places even function with the incompetence i discovered in the interviews. i dont blame them for no thiring me, i would have their better, higher paying job in a month.