Advice:1800TT, but I havent flown in 14 years
12-06-2023, 11:35 AM
#1
New Hire
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Dec 2023
Posts: 4
Advice:1800TT, but I havent flown in 14 years
Hi all,
I would like some advice, I've been gone from the industry for a long time.
Haven't flown in 14 years
42 years old
I got my CFI a month before 9/11 (and keep it up every two years).
No turbine time
No 121 or 135 time.
Out of college I had a spotting gig for hours, then I had a corporate job in 2008 (job was a victim of the financial collapse)
Then I got into real estate and have been riding that wave for the past 15 years.
1800 TT
1675 PIC
600 Multi (550 or so as PIC)
over 1000 XC
43 hours of actual instrument
My problem= I haven't flown a single hour since 2009. And I'm thinking its time to switch careers. But I don't know where that puts me with current hiring, and how one jumps back into flying at this point.
Willing to work hard, grind it out for a few years. But quality of life will be my ultimate goal, I can see myself being a lifer on the west coast (PHX, SFO, SAN) at a regional since I'm 42 years old. A 25 year career at a regional sounds like a nice life to me. With my time, would a regional even look at me with such rusty skills? Should I start by studying for my ATP written?
WHERE SHOULD I START?
A pointing in the right direction would be greatly appreciated.
I would like some advice, I've been gone from the industry for a long time.
Haven't flown in 14 years
42 years old
I got my CFI a month before 9/11 (and keep it up every two years).
No turbine time
No 121 or 135 time.
Out of college I had a spotting gig for hours, then I had a corporate job in 2008 (job was a victim of the financial collapse)
Then I got into real estate and have been riding that wave for the past 15 years.
1800 TT
1675 PIC
600 Multi (550 or so as PIC)
over 1000 XC
43 hours of actual instrument
My problem= I haven't flown a single hour since 2009. And I'm thinking its time to switch careers. But I don't know where that puts me with current hiring, and how one jumps back into flying at this point.
Willing to work hard, grind it out for a few years. But quality of life will be my ultimate goal, I can see myself being a lifer on the west coast (PHX, SFO, SAN) at a regional since I'm 42 years old. A 25 year career at a regional sounds like a nice life to me. With my time, would a regional even look at me with such rusty skills? Should I start by studying for my ATP written?
WHERE SHOULD I START?
A pointing in the right direction would be greatly appreciated.
12-06-2023, 01:05 PM
#2
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2015
Position: Gear slinger
Posts: 2,906
Originally Posted by OldieButAGoodie
Hi all,
I would like some advice, I've been gone from the industry for a long time.
Haven't flown in 14 years
42 years old
I got my CFI a month before 9/11 (and keep it up every two years).
No turbine time
No 121 or 135 time.
Out of college I had a spotting gig for hours, then I had a corporate job in 2008 (job was a victim of the financial collapse)
Then I got into real estate and have been riding that wave for the past 15 years.
1800 TT
1675 PIC
600 Multi (550 or so as PIC)
over 1000 XC
43 hours of actual instrument
My problem= I haven't flown a single hour since 2009. And I'm thinking its time to switch careers. But I don't know where that puts me with current hiring, and how one jumps back into flying at this point.
Willing to work hard, grind it out for a few years. But quality of life will be my ultimate goal, I can see myself being a lifer on the west coast (PHX, SFO, SAN) at a regional since I'm 42 years old. A 25 year career at a regional sounds like a nice life to me. With my time, would a regional even look at me with such rusty skills? Should I start by studying for my ATP written?
WHERE SHOULD I START?
A pointing in the right direction would be greatly appreciated.
I would like some advice, I've been gone from the industry for a long time.
Haven't flown in 14 years
42 years old
I got my CFI a month before 9/11 (and keep it up every two years).
No turbine time
No 121 or 135 time.
Out of college I had a spotting gig for hours, then I had a corporate job in 2008 (job was a victim of the financial collapse)
Then I got into real estate and have been riding that wave for the past 15 years.
1800 TT
1675 PIC
600 Multi (550 or so as PIC)
over 1000 XC
43 hours of actual instrument
My problem= I haven't flown a single hour since 2009. And I'm thinking its time to switch careers. But I don't know where that puts me with current hiring, and how one jumps back into flying at this point.
Willing to work hard, grind it out for a few years. But quality of life will be my ultimate goal, I can see myself being a lifer on the west coast (PHX, SFO, SAN) at a regional since I'm 42 years old. A 25 year career at a regional sounds like a nice life to me. With my time, would a regional even look at me with such rusty skills? Should I start by studying for my ATP written?
WHERE SHOULD I START?
A pointing in the right direction would be greatly appreciated.
12-06-2023, 02:09 PM
#3
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2007
Posts: 578
Originally Posted by OldieButAGoodie
Hi all,
A 25 year career at a regional sounds like a nice life to me.
NO that's idiotic, maybe if you were 60 and just started. After you get current, you'll spend maybe a year at the Regionals before being called by a Legacy and then you'll spend 20+ years there.
With my time, would a regional even look at me with such rusty skills?
Yes, I'm guessing as soon as you apply you'll get a response.
WHERE SHOULD I START?
Not sure, but FWIW, my buddy from college is selling his software company and getting his ratings to have a pilot career....he's 40 and doesn't have his PPL yet...you're good to go.
A pointing in the right direction would be greatly appreciated.
A 25 year career at a regional sounds like a nice life to me.
NO that's idiotic, maybe if you were 60 and just started. After you get current, you'll spend maybe a year at the Regionals before being called by a Legacy and then you'll spend 20+ years there.
With my time, would a regional even look at me with such rusty skills?
Yes, I'm guessing as soon as you apply you'll get a response.
WHERE SHOULD I START?
Not sure, but FWIW, my buddy from college is selling his software company and getting his ratings to have a pilot career....he's 40 and doesn't have his PPL yet...you're good to go.
A pointing in the right direction would be greatly appreciated.
12-06-2023, 03:47 PM
#5
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2022
Posts: 856
Originally Posted by JohnBurke
Get current, find anything you can and begin flying for dollars, then apply up the food chain.
Sooner is better than later. The window is shrinking.
Sooner is better than later. The window is shrinking.
The majors strip mining America of pilots is opening a lot of opportunity. Make yourself known at the local FBO.
12-09-2023, 05:08 PM
#6
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2007
Position: Window seat
Posts: 5,229
Start flying. Get current. Get your head back in the game. Update your MEL skills, xc skills, instrument skills. Apply to the regionals yesterday. You can be at a regional for 6 months to 2-4 years and then have 20-25 years at a major or LCC airline.
Move as quickly as you can. It adds time at the end/peak of your career.
Good luck.
Move as quickly as you can. It adds time at the end/peak of your career.
Good luck.
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