Originally Posted by
SteveCostello
I have no aspirations to work for a major. I'd never get into the left seat, if I could even get hired in the first place... I can't imagine a major investing someone who, by the time I had enough hours to get there, would only have around 10 years of employment left. Of course... the way things are these days, some pilots are luck to work 10 years at a major...
5 years seems to be the cut off for most airlines, but I have heard of guys getting hired at age 62.
Originally Posted by
SteveCostello
The regionals seem like they might be okay, but I see enough horror stories on here to really dissuade me from that track. I understand the irregular schedule and more of the 'hands-on' work that charter and biz flying involves, and that doesn't bother me too much. Also, while a lot of folks focus on cracking six figures, I realize at this point I'd just like to get back to my current income level as quickly as possible. That's one reason I pointed out the King Air, as it seems that most of those pilots are pulling down about what I am making now.
You can break into business/charter aviation without any regional time, but it takes connections. The regionals are a common starting point to get some turbine time.
Originally Posted by
SteveCostello
I'm actually starting the process of career counseling right now to see what other alternatives there are. At the same time, I'm trying to figure out how to finance getting everything through MEII. That's going to be crazy expensive...
At your age, if financing is a challenge you probably have no business going down this road. There is more to life than a job, and this job could cost your everything else that's good in your life.