aviator jpn

Hi,

I've been hearing about pilot shortage and the pay scale being increased dramatically from 90s.
This pilot shortage will continue for next 10 years or so and this is the best time to become airlines pilot, I heard.
I also heard that there are lots of people in mid 40s starting their 2nd career as a pilot, which is hard for me to believe...

According to the news article or press release from Envoy/PSA/others, after 5-6 yrs after you get hired, your salary will be over $100K+ and move to mainline. This makes me wonder if this is really the case or this is just marketing pitch to attract pilots.

I have Multi Engine / Commercial with instrument with a bit less than 250hrs and have not flown for 18 years. Since I'm qualified for R-ATP (1,000hrs), I will need about 750-ish hours to get ATP.
I will have to get back to be current and then CFI/II to build hours. So it would take some time to get ATP, I'd assume.

I have to be very careful with my decision as this will change my career and financial situation for my family. And if I can not make $100K+ down the road, say in 5-6 yrs, it does not make sense financially for my family.

To become a pilot of NB/WB jets had been my dream when I was young and hearing that people in mid 40's start their 2nd career as a pilot makes me think about getting back to flying...

Your CANDID advise/input will be very much appreciated!

Thanks!

CaptYoda

It's never too late to do anything, unless you are six feet under! However there can be no guarantee where this career will take you 5-6 years from now. The industry is great at the moment for anyone joining with starting salaries over $50,000 year for the first year. With upgrades ranging from a few months to a few years, you can make close to $100K or beyond after a few years provided you upgrade. Movement to the majors would be dependent on where you are (flow, interview or off the street hiring).

Ask yourself how committed you are to the profession. The fact that you haven't flown anything in 18 years-- Was it financial, medical?
Get a medical, get hit the books, get current and then see if you still feel you want to give it a try. Doing it part-time will take up a lot of time to meet airline requirements. If you take too long, the climate may change when you get ready to launch. The time to do it is now and quickly. Even if you start at 45 plus, you still have a 20 year career assuming all goes well operationally and medically.

MaCrOs

You don't have to go CFI route. There are few 135 operators where you can get hired close to 250 into the right seat.

rickair7777

You have most of the training done, so you could get airline seniority fairly quickly. Upgrade at a regional should come quickly and by five years you should be either pushing $100K as a CA (if you pick the right regional) or moving on to a major, most or all of which will pay six figures after probation by that time..

Are you 100% sure you qualify for an R-ATP?

The thing you want to consider carefully is, at your point in life, do you want to spend the next ten years starting over at bottom seniority for each career move? Ie reserve as a regional FO, then reserve as a regional CA, then reserve as a major FO? Depends on your personal/family situation.

PotatoChip

The average age of new hires in my recent regional airline class was about 44. Several career changers, guys coming back, or guys who took early retirements from other jobs.

aviator jpn

Thanks, CaptYoda!
I thought about getting back to flying in the past but it became too expensive to fly for fun so did not. But for career, I would not mind spending some money to get current and move forward if this opportunity feeds my family. (Was not possible with <$20K/yr)
Just ordered Private-Instrument-Commercial-CFI oral exam book, FAR/AIM for review. Hopefully I remember things that I learned at schools.

aviator jpn

That's good to know.
I heard that airlines would prefer to hire people with CFI/II. But since I don't have much time, the fastest way would be the best. Will look into 135 route also. Thanks.

MaCrOs

I'm 38 and I didn't want to go the CFI route for several reasons. Got hired by 135 carrier with 550 hours (several guys in my class had 250-350) flying multi turboprop last November. Should be upgrading for TPIC around April. So it's possible.

aviator jpn

Thanks for your input!
I'm pretty sure that I'm qualified for R-ATP unless I misunderstood something... The school I went to was included in the list by FAA.
I gave some thoughts on starting over from the bottom. But it will be different from corporate world that I'm in right now, I'd think. You don't need to deal with the same boss every day for flying unless you fly corporate jets or fly for very small operator?
But after I get a job, I'd also like to work in the office such as in flight ops dep/else if there is such opportunity provided to get extra money to feed our family.

aviator jpn

Wow! It is actually happening and what I heard was right. I'd bet people in my age who gave up to become airlines pilot in 90s are now coming back to flying to pursue their dream which's been on hold for many years!