Originally Posted by
Doug
Hi Guys, I wonder if any of you could comment about an ATPL career later in life? I am considering this and have the opportunity to do a full time Diploma of Aviation (Airline Pilot) commencing in 2010. It is for one year at an Australian University and covers PPL, CPL, ATPL with 160 hours flying to twin engine rating and all CASA subjects. Is it too late for me at 48 years old to consider a career in aviation? I have no previous flying experience but am familiar with flying through a keen interest of helicopters (also considering a CPL here instead). I saw the advertisement, I have the cash and the time to do an ATPL-A (about $80K Australian dollars) but will I ever get a job? Will I ever get my money back? I liked the comparison by Rickair of the corporate world to airline pilot and can I add my two cents? Yes, the Corporate world does suck as much as aviation. I HAVE walked away from a $160K job and now want to do something useful with my life. I hated the hours, I hated the bullying. Will flying full time be any different? Would anyone employ an ATPL with 200 hours even in a regional airline? There are supposedly 400 registered aviation companies in Australia and then we have Qantas, Qantaslink, Virgin, Rex and so on operating jets to 146s to 747s. Should I spend the money or not? Cheers...Doug.
Most of us here are in the US, try pprune.org for an overseas perspective.
I can tell you that you could have gotten a regional job here in the US in 2006-2007. It is probably easier here than anywhere else in the world.
But right now there is little to no hiring, and the people who are getting hired probably already have plenty of airline experience. When hiring does resume they will probably have a pool of people with 1500-2000 hours, so a 200 hour pilot would not be considered. Worse the US congress will likely pass a law requiring an ATP for all airline pilots...we don't have a frozen ATP here, so you will need 1500 hours, period. If you come here you will have to work in general aviation (flight instruction, etc) to build time.
Will you ever get your money back? Well, no of course not because you have to consider the "lost opportunity" cost of aviation. If you get paid $25K to fly and could have been making $150K, then you are making a negative $125k/year. Basically you are paying $125K per year for the privilege of flying.
As far as quality of life and work environment, here in the US that depends on your seniority and the company in question...some have good climates, some horrible. With a few exceptions, european and pacific airlines are good places to work (Ryan is the notable exception). Not sure about small australian regionals.