What is too old to start a career in aviation? Will the regionals shy away from folks in their late 30s early 40s? I'm 34 now w/ about 100 hrs. I figure it will take me 4 or 5 years to get the hr requirments & experience while working my current job. Maybe the industry will turn around by then...

 

I would seriously look at the expected income you will be earning. Do not look at what a senior capt at DAL/SW/UPS/FDX make. At 40 you won't get there. If you are happy making regional F/0 pay till you are in your 50's it is doable. However have a realistic view on how much you will have in retirement plans. Plan on a furlough in there also before you reach 55.

 

Sound advice.

 

Im 24 and looking hard for a flying job. At the moment im just staying current, doing some flying gigs here and there, and making bread the old fashion way with an office job.

 

How you thought of flying for a foreign carrier? ANA is looking for 3000TT and 1000 in commercial jets. I'm not sure if CRJ time would count as a commercial jet but it may. They pay about 84K for the 1st year. With the new requirement to have n ATP to be a FO you may have to be a CFI for a number of years before jumping to a CRJ operation.

 

thanks for the advice guys,

After working for Uncle Sam I went to auburn, got the degree in aviation management & halfway through my instrument training I literally had to decide if I was going to eat or take a flight lesson... so with great sorrow I dropped out, moved to the sh**hole of the world & have worked in "big oil" making six figures/yr for most of that. I have just under have a mil in my 401K @ 32.

I hear everyone talk about how bad they have it, the money, the furloughs, etc. the fact remains, you still get to fly for a living! when I'm up to eyes in resid (crude oil) and breathing H2S (hydrogen sulfide; above 10 PPM is a killer) the only thing I can think about is getting back in the skies. Call me crazy, but I want what most career pilots take for granted...

just got to get my wife understand... lol

 

well with a million in the bank at 32 or 34 your 401k will provide more then any flying job will.

Yes the fact is I fly for a living, (get to or got to u pick) do I like the job .... yes most of the nights. If you do ever become a professional pilot, you will find that things are not always how they seemed from the outside looking in.

Good luck on your training.

 

That is really true Airbum. There are some nights that I would take off and be really thrilled that I get to go flying. There are times like now that I would love to be in the air. I'm a charter pilot but things are slow so I don't fly much. I can handle not making much money as long as I get to fly. I think it would be hard to be happy if I was not flying. But with a mil in the bank I would have my own plane. The nice thing about flying is the freedom and you really don' thave that when you fly for someone else. You can't just stop in for a touch and go when you pass a little airport that looks fun. You have to go where they tell you and when. On the other hand, in my own plane I would hardly have an excuse to fly to MEM and shoot approaches during the FedEx push down to 100 OVC. I love to fly but there is something I love much more and that is being able to feed my family. I hate that I love flying so much, cause this life that we are living is not what we were meant to live. It is completely irresponsible to make this little money. So from those of us one this side of the fence, we envy your 401K. I litterally feel bad spending my per diem money when i'm on the road. Get a plane and go fly.

 

There have been a lot of discussions about age, you may want to read some other related threads too.
In the not-so-distant past we saw a lot of "career changers" who were older than many of the other applicants, so this is really nothing new. I don't think your age will be an issue in the slightest, particularly with the regionals. They like turnover. The bigger question on the airline's mind will be - "how will you handle flying with a 23-year old who is your captain?"

There have been several posts about the quality of life in today's commercial pilot world and many have extremely valid points. The life of a pilot isn't what it used to be and certainly isn't the coveted position it used to be. I think they're trying to warn you that the grass isn't greener on this side of the fence.
But if flying for an airline is something you truly want to do, then go for it! But I would heed their advice on preparing yourself financially before you make the move. You seem to be in a good paying job (albeit not the best quality of life job) right now - start planning now for the severe pay cut. Scale back your current lifestyle so you'll be ready for $18K /yr and the uncertainty of employment this industry brings. Go in eyes wide open.

Good luck!

 

Hi Lori!
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