Pilot career for old guy?
11-10-2008 | 07:47 AM
#21
Self Employed.
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,120
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From: Corporate Pilot
Cold Blanket
Skyhigh
11-10-2008 | 08:21 AM
#22
Self Employed.
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,120
Likes: 0
From: Corporate Pilot
These Guys
Ok, I'll try and keep this brief. I am 44yrs. old, male, single, in excellent health. I am a project manager with a degree in building construction. I have recently been laid off due to a weak economy and the housing crisis.
I started to get my ppl a few years back at the age of 38. I enjoyed flying so much that I decided to make a career change. I enrolled at a flight school, obtained financing and BAM!!! 9/11 hit us! I withdrew before ever starting due to what I felt was just bad timing.
So, here I am again. I have the resources, the motivation and the desire. But...am I too old? I think I may be right on the border line for a position as an airline pilot but as we all know there are many options available. Thanks.
I started to get my ppl a few years back at the age of 38. I enjoyed flying so much that I decided to make a career change. I enrolled at a flight school, obtained financing and BAM!!! 9/11 hit us! I withdrew before ever starting due to what I felt was just bad timing.
So, here I am again. I have the resources, the motivation and the desire. But...am I too old? I think I may be right on the border line for a position as an airline pilot but as we all know there are many options available. Thanks.
Skyhigh
11-10-2008 | 08:45 AM
#23
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 13,843
Likes: 1
From: FAA 'Flight Check'
You have no idea why the OP hasn't been back on yet, but you are sure taking some credit made up in your own mind.
Nice job.
USMCFLYR
11-10-2008 | 08:45 AM
#24
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 44,908
Likes: 693
From: Engines Turn or People Swim
What about 33, too old for a real career? I'm not starting fresh though, I have 1000 tt/240 multi. I have a wife, kids, mortgage, etc... 
Otherwise, I might be forced to go back to management. NOOOOOOOOOOO! I have read many complaints from pilots on these forums about "how terrible" QOL is in the airlines and how the legacy carrier jobs are growing farther out of reach each year. Did they forget what it is like to be chained to a desk for 50 hrs a week, or does the future really look so grim that I am better off in management?
Otherwise, I might be forced to go back to management. NOOOOOOOOOOO! I have read many complaints from pilots on these forums about "how terrible" QOL is in the airlines and how the legacy carrier jobs are growing farther out of reach each year. Did they forget what it is like to be chained to a desk for 50 hrs a week, or does the future really look so grim that I am better off in management?You are not too old, IMO.
Compared to the other guy, you are 11 years younger. Also a 1000/240 is probably worth 2-3 years of training/instructing, so effectively you are 13-14 years younger. Hopefully your spouse has a decent job.
You could get hired at almost any regional (when they hire). Also there really IS going to be a retirement wave starting after DEC 2012...age 65 just delayed it 5 years. You could be a regional CA in a good position to get a major job at that point.
The retirements should drive some hiring even if growth is stagnant.
Of course the boogy-man is oil...if it goes up and stays up, airlines could go into cutbcak mode or bankruptcy. No guarantees on that of course...you just have to take your chances.
11-10-2008 | 08:46 AM
#25
Line Holder
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
What about 33, too old for a real career? I'm not starting fresh though, I have 1000 tt/240 multi. I have a wife, kids, mortgage, etc... Otherwise, I might be forced to go back to management. NOOOOOOOOOOO! I have read many complaints from pilots on these forums about "how terrible" QOL is in the airlines and how the legacy carrier jobs are growing farther out of reach each year. Did they forget what it is like to be chained to a desk for 50 hrs a week, or does the future really look so grim that I am better off in management?
Otherwise, I might be forced to go back to management. NOOOOOOOOOOO! I have read many complaints from pilots on these forums about "how terrible" QOL is in the airlines and how the legacy carrier jobs are growing farther out of reach each year. Did they forget what it is like to be chained to a desk for 50 hrs a week, or does the future really look so grim that I am better off in management?There are part-time flying jobs out there that you could possibly work until making a full-time transition later on in life. With your times, I'd suspect you've either been a part-time pilot already or have flown for quite a while. One thing to consider regarding QOL or the difference between that desk job and flying; it's one thing to fly on your own time, another to have to be up at 3am or even earlier and then be doing a pre-flight in a driving rainstorm at 4:00 in the morning. It happens! Trust me! Seeing the sunrise above the clouds after that pre-flight and departure is fantastic of course, but if you haven't done this yet as a career, that is a small anecdote as to how it is 'different' from just flying on the weekends or being a CFI in the afternoons or on a nice Saturday morning.
BTW, my real pet peeve with this industry is that management in some places has almost no regard for the employees or the FAR's unless it suits their situation. As a previous career changer, the quality of the people running the industry is quite dissapointing.
Mr. I.
11-10-2008 | 04:27 PM
#26
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 407
Likes: 0
From: Enjoying the view
with all due respect, Sky
Not to rain on your spring plans but I imagine that the regionals will have similar stacks of resumes. It might take years to get to the point where a good airline will hire people without previous 121 or turbine time. The last few years of pilot hiring in the airlines were not normal. We most likely will look back on them as the golden era of the regional hiring boom.
Skyhigh
Skyhigh
With all due respect - I appreciate your advice, but it seems like all you do is rain on parades and plans! Even thundershowers with hail cause rainbows.
Is there a silver lining in any of the dark clouds that you are always warning about? Is there a rainbow out there? Is it always 10 OVC CB +TRW LYRD to FL350? Is there even a hole to climb through? If I am instrument rated and current in an aircraft equipped for known icing and hosed down with glycol, should I stay home even though there are PIREPS of light rime? Don't get me wrong, I do appreciate your clear warning of the negatives. But is that all you see? There must be a reason why you are so passionate about this. I know - because the passion for flying still burns in you but you are disappointed about the state of the industry and what it has done to you and others. Like you got hosed by aviation, I got hosed worse throughout my decade of management. But despite my bad experiences, I can still speak of the great things that I experienced and all that I gained. Please try to be more encouraging instead of always looking for someone's tire to deflate.
11-10-2008 | 06:15 PM
#27
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 407
Likes: 0
From: Enjoying the view
Thanks for the input guys.
My wife is currently a stay-at-home mom. Our first kid was quite a surprise (really, the pill doesn't work all the time), and my wife never finished college. She wants to go back when the kids are old enough. Right now, it wouldn't be worth it for her to go to work yet. However, her parents have offered us cheap rent in an apartment that they own!
I think what the situation with your wife's career or employment is what will answer the question for you. Is she in a stable job making enough money to offset the lack of earnings on your part until you make the same or more acceptable money? Do you live near family that can support her when you're on the road? If she is a stay at home Mom, then don't waste your time putting your family thru what it will take to make it in this career. Your times aren't the issue, they're no problem. Your responsibilities to your family seem to me to be the determining factor.
There are part-time flying jobs out there that you could possibly work until making a full-time transition later on in life. With your times, I'd suspect you've either been a part-time pilot already or have flown for quite a while. One thing to consider regarding QOL or the difference between that desk job and flying; it's one thing to fly on your own time, another to have to be up at 3am or even earlier and then be doing a pre-flight in a driving rainstorm at 4:00 in the morning. It happens! Trust me! Seeing the sunrise above the clouds after that pre-flight and departure is fantastic of course, but if you haven't done this yet as a career, that is a small anecdote as to how it is 'different' from just flying on the weekends or being a CFI in the afternoons or on a nice Saturday morning.
BTW, my real pet peeve with this industry is that management in some places has almost no regard for the employees or the FAR's unless it suits their situation. As a previous career changer, the quality of the people running the industry is quite dissapointing.
Mr. I.
There are part-time flying jobs out there that you could possibly work until making a full-time transition later on in life. With your times, I'd suspect you've either been a part-time pilot already or have flown for quite a while. One thing to consider regarding QOL or the difference between that desk job and flying; it's one thing to fly on your own time, another to have to be up at 3am or even earlier and then be doing a pre-flight in a driving rainstorm at 4:00 in the morning. It happens! Trust me! Seeing the sunrise above the clouds after that pre-flight and departure is fantastic of course, but if you haven't done this yet as a career, that is a small anecdote as to how it is 'different' from just flying on the weekends or being a CFI in the afternoons or on a nice Saturday morning.
BTW, my real pet peeve with this industry is that management in some places has almost no regard for the employees or the FAR's unless it suits their situation. As a previous career changer, the quality of the people running the industry is quite dissapointing.
Mr. I.
11-10-2008 | 08:32 PM
#28
Self Employed.
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,120
Likes: 0
From: Corporate Pilot
Expectations
Sky -
With all due respect - I appreciate your advice, but it seems like all you do is rain on parades and plans! Even thundershowers with hail cause rainbows. Is there a silver lining in any of the dark clouds that you are always warning about? Is there a rainbow out there? Is it always 10 OVC CB +TRW LYRD to FL350? Is there even a hole to climb through? If I am instrument rated and current in an aircraft equipped for known icing and hosed down with glycol, should I stay home even though there are PIREPS of light rime? Don't get me wrong, I do appreciate your clear warning of the negatives. But is that all you see? There must be a reason why you are so passionate about this. I know - because the passion for flying still burns in you but you are disappointed about the state of the industry and what it has done to you and others. Like you got hosed by aviation, I got hosed worse throughout my decade of management. But despite my bad experiences, I can still speak of the great things that I experienced and all that I gained. Please try to be more encouraging instead of always looking for someone's tire to deflate.
With all due respect - I appreciate your advice, but it seems like all you do is rain on parades and plans! Even thundershowers with hail cause rainbows.
Is there a silver lining in any of the dark clouds that you are always warning about? Is there a rainbow out there? Is it always 10 OVC CB +TRW LYRD to FL350? Is there even a hole to climb through? If I am instrument rated and current in an aircraft equipped for known icing and hosed down with glycol, should I stay home even though there are PIREPS of light rime? Don't get me wrong, I do appreciate your clear warning of the negatives. But is that all you see? There must be a reason why you are so passionate about this. I know - because the passion for flying still burns in you but you are disappointed about the state of the industry and what it has done to you and others. Like you got hosed by aviation, I got hosed worse throughout my decade of management. But despite my bad experiences, I can still speak of the great things that I experienced and all that I gained. Please try to be more encouraging instead of always looking for someone's tire to deflate.Hey, all I am trying to do is to help you set accurate expectations. I wish I could extend more encouragement but the situation is what it is. Sorry.
I wish that I had a forum like APC when I was getting started.
SkyHigh
11-10-2008 | 08:41 PM
#29
Self Employed.
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,120
Likes: 0
From: Corporate Pilot
No credit
He already knew what he should do before he wrote his post. He was probably hoping that everyone here would have jumped in to give him license to do what he already knew was a bad idea. He probably moved on to JC and posted the same question there in hopes of having better luck fishing for the responses that he was looking for.
SkyHigh
11-10-2008 | 08:43 PM
#30
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 44,908
Likes: 693
From: Engines Turn or People Swim
Sky -
With all due respect - I appreciate your advice, but it seems like all you do is rain on parades and plans! Even thundershowers with hail cause rainbows. Is there a silver lining in any of the dark clouds that you are always warning about? Is there a rainbow out there? Is it always 10 OVC CB +TRW LYRD to FL350? Is there even a hole to climb through? If I am instrument rated and current in an aircraft equipped for known icing and hosed down with glycol, should I stay home even though there are PIREPS of light rime? Don't get me wrong, I do appreciate your clear warning of the negatives. But is that all you see? There must be a reason why you are so passionate about this. I know - because the passion for flying still burns in you but you are disappointed about the state of the industry and what it has done to you and others. Like you got hosed by aviation, I got hosed worse throughout my decade of management. But despite my bad experiences, I can still speak of the great things that I experienced and all that I gained. Please try to be more encouraging instead of always looking for someone's tire to deflate.
With all due respect - I appreciate your advice, but it seems like all you do is rain on parades and plans! Even thundershowers with hail cause rainbows.
Is there a silver lining in any of the dark clouds that you are always warning about? Is there a rainbow out there? Is it always 10 OVC CB +TRW LYRD to FL350? Is there even a hole to climb through? If I am instrument rated and current in an aircraft equipped for known icing and hosed down with glycol, should I stay home even though there are PIREPS of light rime? Don't get me wrong, I do appreciate your clear warning of the negatives. But is that all you see? There must be a reason why you are so passionate about this. I know - because the passion for flying still burns in you but you are disappointed about the state of the industry and what it has done to you and others. Like you got hosed by aviation, I got hosed worse throughout my decade of management. But despite my bad experiences, I can still speak of the great things that I experienced and all that I gained. Please try to be more encouraging instead of always looking for someone's tire to deflate.I would listen to what he has to say...the problem with getting career advice on these forums is that MOST of the participants here have had enough success, fulfillment, and luck to stick with aviation. Most of those whose personal experiences were bad enough to cause them to drop out (I know more than a couple) won't spend their time HERE, so you never get their side of the story.
Sky and DE727 are two extreme examples...they are at opposite ends of the spectrum (and they don't mix well). DE is a relatively young CA at one of the best airline jobs in the world. They are both adults and both 121 experienced...I bet they both can fly just great. Your personal experience could fall anywhere in between.
I certainly believe in making as much of my own luck as possible, but ultimately your success in aviation comes down to right place, right time, right connection(s). Do you feel lucky?
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