Hello. I'm a 40 year old and have accumulated a fair amount of money through investments, and find myself wanting more! I've been yearning to go back to do what I set out to do at age 4, namely, become a pilot! I realize flying on a recreational basis might be advised given my situation, but I actually want a job and the responsibilities that go along with it. My target is regional aviation, prop planes, cargo...something like this. I think it's the most practical/realistic expectation given my age. Majors I realize are out of the question.
But (there's always that "but"
, I believe there are 4 significant hurdles that may thwart this from ever coming to fruition. What I'd like, is your opinion as to whether or not you deem these to be serious threats to my landing a regional piloting job. Here are the problems I foresee:
(1) My age. I'm 40.
(2) In 2001, I was arrested for the first, and only, time in my life. It was a misdemeanor--giving alcohol to a minor. I haven't had ANY run ins with the law ever since. Haven't even had a traffic ticket in 16 years.
(3) In 2007 I was put on a 72 hour hold for a "5150" code. I actually was NOT suicidal at all and I've never attempted to take my life nor have I ever wanted to. But in California if they so much as suspect it, they don't take any chances and put you on a minimum 72 hour hold. When the triage nurse asked, "have you had any thoughts about hurting yourself," I STUPIDLY answered, "perhaps," ignorant of the 72 hour lockdown law and the consequences that would ensue. Oops. A costly & boneheaded lesson.
(4) I've had some phobia issues which began in 2009. I have been to shrinks to discuss it. They've prescribed anti anxiety meds to me. I took them for a brief period of time in early 2012 but took myself off of them, and have beat my phobias through simply forcing myself to do things I didn't want to do. Eventually, you get used to it and it's not as difficult. I read that that is the best if not only way to truly defeat phobias, and that meds were just a band-aid. Plus, I did NOT want to rely on or be on meds for the rest of my life. That's not me.
Looking back at these things I sound like a MESS lol. I promise you I am not. These are my life hiccups, if you will. I've never smoked pot, done drugs, don't have a drinking problem, don't smoke, and I'm on zero medication of any type. I'm a very happy and driven person.
I suspect the airlines will never hire me, however, based on this rap sheet. There are too many people that will apply with no record. What's more, they will be 15 years younger. I can't see why the airlines would hire me give this. I have little upside and potentially a lot of downside (in their eyes). I'm a risk, again to their eyes. I do interview well, and am a very likable, courteous, clean cut man,...but that's about all I can offer. I stand out more in a negative way, I would think.
Is that true?? I'd LOVE nothing more to hear that I am wrong, but it seems like I'd be a liability. Why hire someone to fly a plane with passengers that has this record? Why take that chance? It's not like pilots are in great demand.
Anyway, any and all comments would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks for reading my word post. Good luck to all of you. Life's too damn short. Follow your dreams!
James