Starting at age 50
05-02-2016 | 07:57 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 115
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Starting at age 50
I'm loosing my corporate job due to the low oil prices over the last year and a half. I never really considered the airlines because I enjoyed the corporate life so much. That being said, there are allot of unemployed pilots in my area for the same "low oil price" reasons. To find a job I'll most likely have to relocate my family.
Long story short, I'm wondering if the airlines would actually hire an old guy like me. 50 years old seems kinda over the hill to start an airline career but thinking of feeding the family if you know what I mean. I know I'll take a huge cut in pay for 2 or 3 years but understand I could be back up to "6 digits $" after a few years if its with a major.
Any thoughts of advise from the guys out there that know about these things?
Long story short, I'm wondering if the airlines would actually hire an old guy like me. 50 years old seems kinda over the hill to start an airline career but thinking of feeding the family if you know what I mean. I know I'll take a huge cut in pay for 2 or 3 years but understand I could be back up to "6 digits $" after a few years if its with a major.
Any thoughts of advise from the guys out there that know about these things?
05-02-2016 | 09:34 PM
#4
Racketeer
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 13,248
Likes: 707
From: N60.4858 W149.9327
Go for it. If you need a job, you need a job. Hiring is going to continue for the foreseeable future. Seniority will come quicker now than ever before. Did some corporate early in my career, be prepared to do things differently.
05-02-2016 | 10:12 PM
#6
Stuck Mic
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 1,059
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Get that application polished up and submitted. Second year pay on narrow body will be 6 figures. Lots of base options, commuting is an option too but if you can live in base life is much better.
No age discrimination until you are the old geezer in your new hire class and everybody wants your seniority!
No age discrimination until you are the old geezer in your new hire class and everybody wants your seniority!
05-03-2016 | 02:15 AM
#7
Runs with scissors
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 7,847
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From: Going to hell in a bucket, but enjoying the ride .
A friend of mine just got hired at Express Jet, age 56, lots of single engine Mooney time but no corporate and no jet time, retired ORD ATC guy.
Delta hires 'old' guys (63) but they have a lot of 121 time already.
I don't know what kind of time you already have, you might qualify to go directly to the majors, but if not, then certainly to one of the RJ outfits until you have the numbers for the Majors. I don't know what those numbers are right now, but it seems to be 1500 TPIC minimum.
Oh, I just noticed there is another thread already discussing this, on the main page. Just scroll down below the American/United/Delta/SWA stuff to the thread that says, "Corporate to Legacy/Majors".
Delta hires 'old' guys (63) but they have a lot of 121 time already.
I don't know what kind of time you already have, you might qualify to go directly to the majors, but if not, then certainly to one of the RJ outfits until you have the numbers for the Majors. I don't know what those numbers are right now, but it seems to be 1500 TPIC minimum.
Oh, I just noticed there is another thread already discussing this, on the main page. Just scroll down below the American/United/Delta/SWA stuff to the thread that says, "Corporate to Legacy/Majors".
Last edited by Timbo; 05-03-2016 at 02:42 AM.
05-03-2016 | 03:17 AM
#9
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 3,196
Likes: 42
From: Gear slinger
You'll fit right in at the AA training center. New hire classes are on the older end of the spectrum (there was one recently where only 3 were younger than 40, with a lot of 50somethings in the mix)
05-03-2016 | 03:23 AM
#10
Banned
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 430
Likes: 0
Lots of guys your age getting hired. Do what is needed for your family. I suspect you may have the time to go direct to a major. If so you will be back to six figures in year two. Get your apps in ASAP and use one of the prep services.
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