Originally Posted by
Rogue
That's exactly what I was afraid of.
"At 35 and just getting started, I'd say it's highly unlikely you'd make it to Fedex. Sorry, but I see that as the most coveted top job that everyone is after."
I realized its a coveted job so I appreciate the honesty. I must ask why however? just not enough time to build the experience? Its not a heartbreaker or nothing - I just know they pay very well! but yea I, so far, love flying so just doing that instead of what I currently do will almost be reward enough.
FDX and UPS don't hire as many folks as the pax airlines (their airplanes spend a lot of time sitting on the ramp).
They have the highest pay and best job security in this market. This makes them highly competetive.
Both hire a lot of military...you're too old to even consider that.
Civilian candidates who get hired not only have a lot of experience, they have inside connections to provide recomendations, AND they are generally above average in most regards...better grades, training records, good in the sim, test well, interview well, clean record, etc.
If you really bust your hump and seize every opportunity, by the time you get all the experience and connections you will probably be 50...even if they hire at age 50, your QOL and career progression would be doomed by age. As a career changer you will not be able to aggressively pursue every aviation opportunity unless you want to end up divorced and estranged from your kids.
Also the first 5 years WILL NOT provide a liveable wage if you are used to the real world. At age 35 PLEASE do not consider going into debt to do this. At your age you will need to pay cash for training AND have cash reserves to cover the shortfall during the early years. If you have a job skill which is flexible and will provide side income, even better. A few days doing freelance or consulting will often net more than an entire month of regional pay.
To put things in perspective, you are a middle-aged guy looking at taking some accounting classes at a community college, but hoping to get a trader job at a Manhattan brokerage. You REALLY need Ivy League education and blue blood connections. Even with a lot of experience, you still won't get that trader job.
As for the future...
There is no reason to believe that airlines will not continue to exist. There have always been cycles (we justed started a down cycle) and things always come back up. The only real bogeyman is oil...if prices don't stabilize and drop many average joes will get priced out of flying and the industry will shrink for good. It might take ten years for this to happen, during which time there will be little hiring and no career progression.
I'd go to your local airport and work on a private pilot ticket. Have some fun and see how much you really like flying. Watch what oil does for the rest of the year and maybe make a decision in 2009. Read the online airline forums to get a feel for what's happening in the trenches.