You could also go back to school? Higher knowledge, and in most cases, young feminine nubility.

remember the tv show "route 66"?

i may be available to go too.

I like the Key West idea. Great place to kick it and live a very relaxing life tending bar or whatever. I have a close personal friend that was in a situation not all that different from yours - well he was a lot younger and wasn't a pilot, but he did have no debt, not a lot of marketable skills, no real desire to pursue a high-powered, high-paying office gig that required a lot of effort and education, all his stuff fit in his Chevy S10, etc. He moved to Key West about 12 years ago - still there. I visit when I can. He has a blast. Works at a couple of different bars there picking up shifts and slinging drinks when he wants just to pay rent and his bar tab. No real worries other than that. Occasionally shacks up with a hottie for a few weeks, then reverts to perpetual bachelorhood. He loves life. He's the last of the Great American Hot Sch1ts. I love hanging with him. Helps you realize there's more to life than just chasing money and the brass ring all the time.

It really ain't bad down there. But just accept you'll have to rent. Despite the housing market crash, prices really are still frightfully unaffordable down there and certainly out of whack with the incomes MOST people have down there - certainly for those who live carefree and just tend bar and like to hang out and enjoy the laid back culture on a regular basis (generally with drink in hand) anytime they're not on the clock somewhere.

Peace Corp sounds like a good plan, I am sure they will find someone with your skills useful.

During these hard times, I wonder how many unemployed have headed to the hills and have gone Prospecting....during the 30's quiet a few got by, by doing just that.

In CA one could grow Green Gold...the downside risks have become minimal.

Or down on the FL coast a metal detector after the big storms and who knows what will wash up on the beach..one good piece could make it all worthwhile as in retirement city...
When I was gorwing up the neighbor lady said that as a young girl after the storms the beaches were littered with these black pieces of metal....as in pieces of 8....

I have thought that if I lived in Detroit I would get a metal detector and walk the vacant city lots..who knows what kind of coins etc one could find....

think travis mcgee.

been thinking about the same thing since i lost my job last july. i now have nothing except debt and 3 vehicles i cant pay for. no more home, no kids, no nothing. im more than willing to just say screw it and bumm around doing odd jobs, but its health insurance that ruins any free-spirited idea i have and will ultimately lead me back to a miserable life in an office when jobs become available. i dread that day. good luck

this film might give you some inspiration
Hulu - Random Lunacy - Watch the full feature film now.

you might want to invest in a hard cover for the back of the pickup so you can sleep safely in it....avoid paying rent at all costs

Don't want to be captain obvious here... but...

How about a gig flying rich folk in and out of Vegas?

Don't casinos do that all the time? (comp)

Whatever you do, best of luck to ya!

Truly a dream for many until you can actually live it then it becomes surreal and even nigh mare like.

Not knowing what trips your trigger, be tough to provide suggestions. Freedom can be a be-ouch. Unless your inherently lazy this is not a good thing. Idle time and all that. A man needs purpose and cause.

I guess you could always start your own 'Zen and the art of Porsche Maintenance'. Cruz the land and find inner wisdom.

Your a good man with a good soul. I also wish you luck in your quest to find meaning.

Awww hell, lost my long post. Mike, how about flying people in to remote tourist destinations? Alaska, Chile, Argentina, Australia, etc. Sounds pretty cool.

It's my understanding that there are a lot of well-trained, big-hour pilots who flew corporate aircraft out there looking for work. Makes flying someone else's bird a tough gig to land. On the other hand, I'm told there are some great deals on aircraft to be had....not sure $10K will get a very good one though :(

Got a lot of corporate jet guys living in my area. Not all of them are working right now.

Pay off debt, retire from day job, sell house, accumulate nest egg, move to the middle of nowhere pay cash for house on 2 acres of woods close to lots of fresh water and a small but reliable food source, play music full time, restore shotguns. worked for me. I could care less if the rest of the world burns.

Just me, but if I were a pilot a gig flying people and cargo in Alaska would be sweet. Just give me a DeHaviland Beaver and I'm set.:D

I'm assuming you are in the best position to consider further aviation-related gigs so won't comment on those.

I like the idea of a peace-corp posting. Completely new life and new people. What better way to start again?

I also like the idea of Thailand. Everyone in the world wants to learn English. You could park yourself in some nice corner of Thailand, teach some English to pay the rent, while considering other options.

You could probably do the same in Chile or Turkey or some other congenial place.

Funny though: here I am comfortably off, with all kinds of possessions (all of which are a distraction), and when I read your first post my first thought was: "What a brilliant opportunity to start over!"

I wish you the very best.

Move to Las Vegas, and mooch off Tabs.

Rent Jet ski's and sell drinks on the beach somewhere warm. Till things get better.

Aviation is going to be tough for a while. The old Blackwater Xe is hiring. It's pretty bad though. http://forums.pelicanparts.com/suppo...oilet_claw.gifhttp://forums.pelicanparts.com/suppo...oilet_claw.gifhttp://forums.pelicanparts.com/suppo...oilet_claw.gif

Yeah fing, when I read your post, this is what popped into my head...

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1265874950.jpg

I assume you don't have to have your own plane to do it.