Ok, I'll try and keep this brief. I am 44yrs. old, male, single, in excellent health. I am a project manager with a degree in building construction. I have recently been laid off due to a weak economy and the housing crisis.
I started to get my ppl a few years back at the age of 38. I enjoyed flying so much that I decided to make a career change. I enrolled at a flight school, obtained financing and BAM!!! 9/11 hit us! I withdrew before ever starting due to what I felt was just bad timing.
So, here I am again. I have the resources, the motivation and the desire. But...am I too old? I think I may be right on the border line for a position as an airline pilot but as we all know there are many options available. Thanks.
No one can say for sure however no one is ever too old to throw their money or life away. It is possible to make it to the regionals before you hit 50 and there is even a very thin chance of the majors years after that. However the real issue is that you do not have enough years left to reach the financial benefit of making such a switch. Even if you were to make it to the majors you most likely would run out of time before you were able to upgrade.
If you are financially independent and are looking for a midlife adventure then I would go for it. However if you are a struggling middle class guy with a family to feed then this path will almost assuredly lead to poverty even in the best case. I have seen more people switch from aviation to construction.
Skyhigh
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Work smart. Work to live. Don't live to work.
If you are financially in a position to retire now, you might consider a regional career. If you still have a wife, kids, mortgage, and need to save for college/retirement don't even consider it.
I think it depends on what you want out of the career. If you'd settle for nothing less than a legacy job, then it's a very long shot. If you'd settle for regional Capt, then you'd probably have a pretty good shot. If you'd be happy with some 135 charter type jobs, or freight, or maybe a mid-level corp job, then you'd also have a good shot.
Basically, if you would be happy making next to nothing flying for a couple of years with a good chance you could make 40 to 60K in a few years, it might be worth it.
The best thing you have going for you is a solid backup with previous job experience. So, if you decide to go for it and it doesn't pan out as you'd hoped, you might be able to slide back into construction.
It really depends on your expectations.
Aviation tends to ebb and flow with the economy. The economy is down at the moment and may be for a while. Those that take the risk now will be there to benefit when things turn around. One thing is for sure. There are no guarantees in this biz.
Don't listen to the big academy marketing (I've even seen such ads at the banners at this site) that say "train with us, airlines are hiring pilots now". You'd be better off buying your own plane (one like Skyhigh has) and taking your time. Or, take your time and save money by sticking with your local school.
Thanks for the imput. I went up today for the first time in 7 years. I am going to pursue at least up to my comercial single at my local school for now and see how that goes. I'm going forward with it because I just enjoy flying. When the housing market picks back up maybe I can instruct part time if I pursue it that far. Again, thanks for the imput!
I would echo the previous sentiments in that it would depend upon your life situation and financial well being. Are you settled in a home that would be uprooted? Do you already have a retirement to collect when the time comes?
I have a couple of years on you along with some previous experience including 135 check flying in singles and twins but wouldn't get into it as a serious career. Granted I haven't been layed off nor expect to be (the benefits of a utility job) but I consider a flying career as a "fun" job when I can retire at age 57.
Thanks for the imput. I went up today for the first time in 7 years. I am going to pursue at least up to my comercial single at my local school for now and see how that goes. I'm going forward with it because I just enjoy flying. When the housing market picks back up maybe I can instruct part time if I pursue it that far. Again, thanks for the imput!
You are probably just a little depressed about losing your construction job right now and are looking for a happy place to run to. Before you blow a fortune on a dead end perhaps you should consider taking up a drinking habit or buying an XBox? They are much cheaper than what an instructor and 172 costs and easier on your life.
You have not answered our questions so I must assume that you do have responsibilities and are not independently wealthy. As such, don't make your situation worse. Flying is not the answer. If it was then you would have done it 20 years ago. Find something else to occupy yourself until the construction industry comes back.
SkyHigh
__________________
Work smart. Work to live. Don't live to work.
This is a first for me...I`m agreeing with Sky High, completely. You are experiencing something called "mid life crisis". I know of a fellow who quit his job and took up blacksmithing....same type situation. Take a cold shower, and put this "Walter Mitty" syndrome behind you. Be a weekend flyer and look for another job. This phase will soon pass.
"You have not answered our questions so I must assume"
That's your problem, Sky, you are always assuming and then proceed to make up facts to support your arguments. Like the guy is depressed...
"Before you blow a fortune on a dead end perhaps you should consider taking up a drinking habit or buying an XBox?"
Neither of those include even a part time CFI paycheck and will in fact, take up a lot of time and money. The 14 year old I know is proof of that (the Xbox part, not the drinking).
Did you notice Vulcan said this: "When the housing market picks back up maybe I can instruct part time if I pursue it that far."
Sky. You're so foaming at the mouth to turn people away from aviation that you don't even read their posts...
I mean, you yourself do part time CFI stuff and yet your telling this guy not to even bother with that? That it's a dead end?
In any case, Vulcan, a "dead end" is in the eye of the beholder. What Skyhigh and others consider a dead end might be a decent and worthy job to the next guy. To each his own...
Yeah, I don't know where sky is coming from. To say..."Before you blow a fortune on a dead end perhaps you should consider taking up a drinking habit or buying an XBox?"
Sky, If you read my posts completely,then you would have answered your own questions. Go back and start over.
I think someone has some anger management issues.
For everyone else, again, thanks for the imput. This is the reason I joined this forum and asked the question. I have an appointment with a local school tomorrow. For now, my thoughts are to finish my private then get my instrument and commercial s/e.
Oh yeah...by the way...I already went through my midlife crisis 2 years ago when I got divorced (I didn't get divorced because I was having a midlife crisis. It hit after!) and then bought my 06 F430 Spider! Let me tell you all one thing. Midlife crisis doesn't have to be a bad thing.
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