Attorney and Airline Pilot?

flyTotheSky · August 13th, 2006, 19:16

Is it possible? I know of ONE guy that is a practicing attorney and an AA F/O. There has to be more.

In my opinion, I think that is a very smart career move. He was lucky enough to fly in the Air Force for 10 years, got out and got on with AA and on his days off from AA he attended law school, paid for in full by the GI Bill (Illinois).

I keep running into pilots who are telling me to get out of the industry while I still can and get a job to support it as a hobby. Yet, I'm not quite ready to give up the childhood dream yet. I think having a second profession would be the key to having an enjoyable life as an airline pilot.

Is anyone else on this board holding off to get into this industry by getting a higher education first? Does this seem like a smart career move? For me, I think being more diverse would definetly be more attractive to a company.

After paying almost $70,000 for my ratings and a Bachelor's degree I don't even know how I could afford a higher education.... I guess there are always more loans...and maybe the military?...

Thoughts...?

meritflyer · August 13th, 2006, 19:49

I earned all my ratings over several years. I am a business partner in a fairly large company that I earn a decent amount in. I was planning on entering the airline industry but had to reconsider once a few other business opportunities came my way. I was also told by several captains to not walk, but run away from the airlines.

I always wanted to be an airline pilot but when a business deal presents itself to you and offers you 4X the starting salary of a regional, IMO you have no other option but to jump on it. I currently fly about 15-20 hrs a month and instruct a little on the weekends.

I dont know about you but I have a family to feed and there was no way this was realistic on a airline salary. So, I am holding out to buy an airplane one day soon. I thought it was selfish on my part to turn down the opportunity that came my way. After all, you can still have a great job outside of the airlines and still fly and teach BUT you really cant have it the other way around.

jtrain609 · August 13th, 2006, 20:25

I've got an interest in doing just that, and I don't think it's a bad idea.

FlyingNole · August 13th, 2006, 22:41

I was gonna do aviation law...decided on my high paying airline career instead

Once I get settled in more Im going to look in to online law degree or part online, part in class...I still wanna do the whole real-estate bit, but Id dig law more.

av8sean · August 14th, 2006, 02:08

All they lawyers I know work 60-100hrs per week.... plus, when the judge sets a hearing at a certain date that conflicts with your schedule at an airline, what are you going to do?

The only way I can see it working is if you is if you are some kind of consultant... obviously not a trail lawyer.

Doug Taylor · August 14th, 2006, 02:51

One of my friends is an attorney and a judge in a small town. He did both while being an airline pilot, but retired a few years ago from the airline biz.

Tim · August 14th, 2006, 07:43

Doug he went for the more stable job with better benefits and retirement

typhoonpilot · August 14th, 2006, 11:21

I know a few airline pilot/lawyers. Both got their law degrees after becoming pilots. One was on the negotiating committee at USAirways and the other works here at Emirates. There was also a practicing doctor who was an F.O. at USAirways. I think he became a doctor before becoming a pilot though.

Some people have the excess brain capacitiy and time to perform both. I've always believed that if you dedicate yourself to your one chosen profession it will reward you in the long run. Sure there may be set-backs on the way, but in the end you'll get more out of something if you put all your effort into it.

TP

bike21 · August 14th, 2006, 11:32

You don't necessarily need to devote your extra time to an entire second career at the same time. I have two small businesses on the side (one up and going, one starting up) that will hopefully keep me afloat if anything ever goes south with flying. I will have to wait and see how things go, but you can always find work on the side.

My Captain that I am flying with, does structural engineering stuff on the side now from him former career. Use the skillz you gotz

MidlifeFlyer · August 14th, 2006, 13:37

There's just gotta be a good joke in here somewhere!

A300Capt · August 14th, 2006, 13:42

We have a handful of attorney's, financial advisors, small business owners and real estate agents. Also, I've heard of one dentist flying for us. Not unusual and nice fall back careers.

mrivc211 · August 14th, 2006, 13:46

Being an attorney was my second career choice. At one point I considered doing both. But then reality set in.

MusketeerMan · August 14th, 2006, 13:49

I'm thinking about joining the NBA on the side as a 6' 1", 160 lb center.

jtrain609 · August 14th, 2006, 13:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by MusketeerMan

I'm thinking about joining the NBA on the side as a 6' 1", 160 lb center.

I'd say you've got pretty good odds.

August 13th, 2006, 19:16	#1
flyTotheSky Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: LUK Posts: 397	Attorney and Airline Pilot? Is it possible? I know of ONE guy that is a practicing attorney and an AA F/O. There has to be more. In my opinion, I think that is a very smart career move. He was lucky enough to fly in the Air Force for 10 years, got out and got on with AA and on his days off from AA he attended law school, paid for in full by the GI Bill (Illinois). I keep running into pilots who are telling me to get out of the industry while I still can and get a job to support it as a hobby. Yet, I'm not quite ready to give up the childhood dream yet. I think having a second profession would be the key to having an enjoyable life as an airline pilot. Is anyone else on this board holding off to get into this industry by getting a higher education first? Does this seem like a smart career move? For me, I think being more diverse would definetly be more attractive to a company. After paying almost $70,000 for my ratings and a Bachelor's degree I don't even know how I could afford a higher education.... I guess there are always more loans...and maybe the military?... Thoughts...?

August 13th, 2006, 19:49	#2
meritflyer Old Skool Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Winchestertonfieldville Posts: 6,802	Re: Attorney and Airline Pilot? I earned all my ratings over several years. I am a business partner in a fairly large company that I earn a decent amount in. I was planning on entering the airline industry but had to reconsider once a few other business opportunities came my way. I was also told by several captains to not walk, but run away from the airlines. I always wanted to be an airline pilot but when a business deal presents itself to you and offers you 4X the starting salary of a regional, IMO you have no other option but to jump on it. I currently fly about 15-20 hrs a month and instruct a little on the weekends. I dont know about you but I have a family to feed and there was no way this was realistic on a airline salary. So, I am holding out to buy an airplane one day soon. I thought it was selfish on my part to turn down the opportunity that came my way. After all, you can still have a great job outside of the airlines and still fly and teach BUT you really cant have it the other way around. __________________ The simplest answer tends to be correct.

August 13th, 2006, 20:25	#3
jtrain609 Old Skool Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Park City, UT Posts: 12,869	Re: Attorney and Airline Pilot? I've got an interest in doing just that, and I don't think it's a bad idea.

August 13th, 2006, 22:41	#4
FlyingNole Old Skool Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Ft. Lauderdale Posts: 2,090	Re: Attorney and Airline Pilot? I was gonna do aviation law...decided on my high paying airline career instead Once I get settled in more Im going to look in to online law degree or part online, part in class...I still wanna do the whole real-estate bit, but Id dig law more. __________________ Don't call her a babe, ok? She is a Chechnyan prostitute, and you will address her as such! -ATHF

August 14th, 2006, 02:08	#5
av8sean Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Toronto/DTW Posts: 487	Re: Attorney and Airline Pilot? All they lawyers I know work 60-100hrs per week.... plus, when the judge sets a hearing at a certain date that conflicts with your schedule at an airline, what are you going to do? The only way I can see it working is if you is if you are some kind of consultant... obviously not a trail lawyer.

August 14th, 2006, 02:51	#6
Doug Taylor Agent Smith Join Date: Dec 1969 Location: KSDL Posts: 41,926 Blog Entries: 1	Re: Attorney and Airline Pilot? One of my friends is an attorney and a judge in a small town. He did both while being an airline pilot, but retired a few years ago from the airline biz. __________________ Doug Taylor http://76school.flyblog.com (old!) http://30west.flyblog.com (updated 11/28)

August 14th, 2006, 07:43	#7
Tim Old Skool Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Atlanta Posts: 2,205	Re: Attorney and Airline Pilot? Doug he went for the more stable job with better benefits and retirement __________________ Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turn skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return.----- Leonardo Da Vinci

August 14th, 2006, 11:21	#8
typhoonpilot Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Dubai, UAE Posts: 378	Re: Attorney and Airline Pilot? I know a few airline pilot/lawyers. Both got their law degrees after becoming pilots. One was on the negotiating committee at USAirways and the other works here at Emirates. There was also a practicing doctor who was an F.O. at USAirways. I think he became a doctor before becoming a pilot though. Some people have the excess brain capacitiy and time to perform both. I've always believed that if you dedicate yourself to your one chosen profession it will reward you in the long run. Sure there may be set-backs on the way, but in the end you'll get more out of something if you put all your effort into it. TP

August 14th, 2006, 11:32	#9
bike21 Old Skool Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: People's Republic of Boulder Posts: 2,299	Re: Attorney and Airline Pilot? You don't necessarily need to devote your extra time to an entire second career at the same time. I have two small businesses on the side (one up and going, one starting up) that will hopefully keep me afloat if anything ever goes south with flying. I will have to wait and see how things go, but you can always find work on the side. My Captain that I am flying with, does structural engineering stuff on the side now from him former career. Use the skillz you gotz __________________ Free SAPA! (and Tibet) ____________________ www.glenntilton.com

August 14th, 2006, 13:37	#10
MidlifeFlyer Old Skool Join Date: May 2003 Location: Denver Colorado Posts: 3,094	Re: Attorney and Airline Pilot? There's just gotta be a good joke in here somewhere! __________________ Mark www.midlifeflight.com "I don't understand" doesn't mean it's gray

August 14th, 2006, 13:42	#11
A300Capt Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Louisville, Kentucky Posts: 712	Re: Attorney and Airline Pilot? We have a handful of attorney's, financial advisors, small business owners and real estate agents. Also, I've heard of one dentist flying for us. Not unusual and nice fall back careers.

August 14th, 2006, 13:46	#12
mrivc211 Old Skool Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 2,061	Re: Attorney and Airline Pilot? Being an attorney was my second career choice. At one point I considered doing both. But then reality set in.

August 14th, 2006, 13:49	#13
MusketeerMan Old Skool Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Elk Grove, CA Posts: 2,223	Re: Attorney and Airline Pilot? I'm thinking about joining the NBA on the side as a 6' 1", 160 lb center. __________________ JBDaP --------------- From The Computer of A Current F/O and A Future Captain Elect.

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