Hello gentlemen,

I am 32 years old and currently on the final stage of getting my PPL. I have always dreamt of being a commercial pilot. I work out of town and only get to fly every second week. I figure it will take me at least another year to get my CPL. My question to you guys is whether it is too late for me to start a career in commercial aviation.

Any feedback and advice is highly appreciated.

Thank you all for taking the time to read this.

 

You have about as much time left as you are old right now. Ponder that.

 

You will never make it to the top slot at a major. You should be able to find a job that pays enough to live independently and eventually recoup training cost.

 

At this exact moment in time, he should benefit from the pending retirements. He should get hired at a major and move up the ranks quickly, although his progression may slow after 15 years, depending on growth and demographics.

 

Too late..??? Heck no.!!!

I started at 38 and 20 years later I am doing fine in pt 135 and pt 91 jobs. Retirement is coming soon as I am wanting to stop flying and go into a different part of aviation.

Airlines are not the only career choice in aviation. A very good career can be had away from the airlines. I worked for it though. I spent years flying bush in Alaska, Africa and South America. Alaska is my favorite as I never spent a week in jail for not having the correct "exit tax".

Pay is probably a little lower than if I was in an airline but quality of life..... my life is mine, I don't belong to a company. I don't fly a herd from long paved runway to long paved runway. I am part of the family, not a number in a computer. I enjoy getting to know the passengers and getting them to their destination out in the middle of no where.

Nothing wrong with airlines, not at all. It just wasn't for me. Back when I was quality first officer material I could expect FO pay at around $13,000/yr. Now I see hiring bonuses at that amount to go to a regional, plus starting pay is actually livable.

More fun for me to fly the boss and his family into Wyoming and spend a week hunting, or into Colorado for a weekend of skiing. I think he enjoys bragging to his competition about how he hired me out of bush Alaska.

Plus the boss will fire me if I wear a tie....

Too late to start a good career? Absolutely not..!!!!

 

No not with what is happening now. If you have the money and the time. Go for it if you want to do it

 

No way, I’ve had multiple students in their 30’s. There’s no time like now to go for it.

 

Thanks guys! Very good points. I will go ahead with my training!

 

Why does he have to 'make it to the top slot' at a major?

My airline job started with Northwest in 1985 and with a little over 300 days to go, I'll never get to the 'top' at the Delta, yet I'm flying the highest-paying equipment (A350 or 777, pay is the same).

My suggestion (Mind you, I haven't pursued an airline job since 1984.) is get to a Regional as quickly as possible. Do whatever it takes to accrue the experience required to get in the door at an outfit like Endeavor. There's no good reason why you can't be a major airline captain by your 40th birthday, maybe sooner!

If you don't already have your 4 year degree, complete it! It doesn't make you a better pilot, but it sure makes you a much better candidate.

You can do all of this!

Good luck.