Side Jobs for airline pilots

[beetle]

What are some decent jobs you can do on the side as a pilot. Realtor? Real Estate Apraiser? Own a business?

[JaceTheAce]

Real estate if it's something you want to do. You have to be very motivated to do it (I think most pilots are anyway).

I had been working on my real estate appraisal license, but can't finish it in North Dakota because 1) There are no approved courses here for the California appraisal license exam 2) I've called and left several messages for the North Dakota Appraisal Board to find out how I can get started with the ND State Appraisal License exam - no calls were ever returned. According to an appraiser I spoke with here, they are trying every way they can to limit competition as their are too many appraisers for the lack of real estate activity within ND. He said that's why they don't want to volunteer information on how to take the ND exam (even though it's their job to). Most appraisers have licenses in ND, SD, and MN since they are so hungry for work.

Anyway, I've been working for an appraisal company in San Diego for the past 6 years (they let me telecommute when I moved to Grand Forks) and as soon as I move back I'm going to finish my appraisal classes and take the exam. You need 2,000 hours of supervised appraisal field work experience working as an apprentice, but since I've already been working for an appraisal company 400 hours are waived. This will take 2-6 years depending on how much work you get. Since my employer has an interest in increasing its employee's appraisal knowledge, they encourage employees to work with the licensed appraisers we have under an apprenticeship...to eventually earn their license. Once you are done with the apprenticeship/trainee program, you can take the second license exam that allows you to become fully licensed. You are then allowed to appraise properties without supervision and start your own appraisal business. So...since I'm not yet fully licensed, the only thing I do at work is review and QC the appraisals.

Appraisers are getting old and more appraisers will be needed... the bad thing is there has been an increase of new and bad appraisers overinflating values in illegal schemes arranged with other investors and lenders...especially in investor driven markets like Florida.

Becoming an appraiser has huge barriers to entry since you really need to know someone before they take you on as an apprentice. So, you may want to also consider becoming a real estate agent. Being an agent has huge potential for financial success in a situation that only allows you to work part time (ie, flying full time as an airline pilot).

[JaceTheAce]

Also I might mention that working as a waiter at a restaurant yields high dollar for the amount of work done (tips). I've heard of a regional pilot (or was he corporate? I can't remember) who was also a waiter at a restaurant. Waiting tables may not be for everyone, but some people really like it.

[StrangerDejaVu]

I've often thought it'd be fun to run a small recording studio on the side when I'm not flying. That's just the kind of thing I'm into, though. Probably wouldn't make much money.

[Screaming_Emu]

I've heard there's this one pilot from "Southernjets" that is named Dough. I think he runs some sort of website somewhere. I think its airliners.net

[AngelFuree]

Originally Posted by Screaming_Emu

I've heard there's this one pilot from "Southernjets" that is named Dough. I think he runs some sort of website somewhere. I think its airliners.net

LOL

[TXaviator]

Stripping is good money too.

not

[DAnbert]

Originally Posted by TXaviator

Stripping is good money too.

not

after the "not" does that mean you are into it?

[killbilly]

I met a Skywest RJ driver who was a financial planner on the side. He did all right - had been in that industry before.

I know another guy who is a passionate golfer. He custom-builds clubs for people on the side. His wife handles the shipping and stuff when he's gone.

Home inspections are a little easier to get into than appraising. A friend of mine completed his classes, got his license. On a good day he can knock out three inspections (depending on the size of the house) and he makes about $125-150 per property. The key to that, he says, is getting realtors to hand out his card, and they share leads. Works out nicely for both.

I've also heard a number of pilots substitute teach. We had a pilot at my high school who actually taught PPL ground as a credit class. I thought that was pretty cool.

[StrangerDejaVu]

There's always flight instructing at your local FBO, too...

[killbilly]

Originally Posted by StrangerDejaVu

There's always flight instructing at your local FBO, too...

I was under the impression that some 121 carriers wouldn't let you do that, but maybe I'm wrong.

[StrangerDejaVu]

Hmm. Good point. I actually had a stage check with a guy who worked for an aircarrier. The stage was in a simulator, and of course the oral exam wasn't a problem with the air carrier, so it seemed to work out for him.

[TXaviator]

Originally Posted by DAnbert

after the "not" does that mean you are into it?

actually i did work in the adult entertainment industry for a while.

its great money.

i was a DJ and the dancers had to tip me (mandatory) at the end of their shifts.

ANYTHING associated with strip clubs is good money.... door man, bartender, dj, etc. and theres some "fringe-benefits" as well

[DAnbert]

I wonder if the airlines would frown on you wearing your uniform to the club for your job... DJ Captain in the house

[killbilly]

Originally Posted by DAnbert

I wonder if the airlines would frown on you wearing your uniform to the club for your job... DJ Captain in the house

Depends on whether or not the dancer was using the uniform as part of the act. I hear epaulettes can shine a brass pole nicely...

[TXaviator]

Originally Posted by DAnbert

I wonder if the airlines would frown on you wearing your uniform to the club for your job... DJ Captain in the house

who knows, but you'd look like A HUGE DORK.

[JaceTheAce]

Originally Posted by TXaviator

who knows, but you'd look like A HUGE DORK.

[ZUKO]

Originally Posted by killbilly

I met a Skywest RJ driver who was a financial planner on the side. He did all right - had been in that industry before.

Thats what I want to do.

[amorris311]

Originally Posted by TXaviator

actually i did work in the adult entertainment industry for a while.

its great money.

i was a DJ and the dancers had to tip me (mandatory) at the end of their shifts.

ANYTHING associated with strip clubs is good money.... door man, bartender, dj, etc. and theres some "fringe-benefits" as well

i hate to say it but he is right. i worked in the summer as a doorman at the spearmint rhino in los angeles and i must say the pay was amazing. the only problem is, sexually frustrated drunk men that wont leave when we are closed.