In answer to the original question: I renentered flying at age 58 (1 year ago) after a 15 year hiatus after 9-11. I did have plenty of hours but with no recent experience I was forced to take an entry level job flying freight in recip freighters. I have since moved on to pic in a kingair and life is great. I'll never be a wide body airline captain at this point but that's ok. I'm Having a blast and I'm not a threat to any younger guys climbing the ladder. Trust me, any operators trying to fill the left seat of a king air (non type rating airplanes) or below is begging for help because these are stepping stone jobs once again for the folks who are able to move on.

A a guy flying the lower end stuff, in my opinion you should go for it. Get your tickets, then get your time any way you can and you will be able to fly stuff you only dream about now even if it is only a Kingair or something.

I respect the folks saying we don't need to water down our leverage during this pilot shortage with more pilots but I honestly don't think a guy pushing 60 is ever going to threaten that. Most people agree the pilot shortage is not a real problem at the airline level and I agree with that. Airline recruiters may not have the luxury of astronauts waiting in line for a job but they have scores of qualified people to pick from. I can tell you absolutely for sure, there is a real pilot shortage at the flight instructor and entry level Part 135 side. Anyone with average pilot skills and a pulse gets a chance on that side.