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Becoming a Regional Airline Pilot at 54

Old 02-12-2017, 11:35 AM
  #11  
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Default Becoming a Regional Airline Pilot at 54

Originally Posted by tom11011 View Post
This is pure bull$h1t. This fellow is not doing any of that. If you are a regional FO, you have money woes. It's likely that since he was an attorney, he probably will continue to have money woes as a Captain as well.

He's not living a dream and neither will you. I'm sure this post is just flame bait and not real, but if by chance you are for real and having some kind of breakdown, you should know that it is only cool for a few months, then you are back to reality.


Your post is pure bull$hit. Likely the man made his money before going to a regional and likely has investments and savings so he doesn't have to depend on his regional salary. Just because you suck at money management doesn't mean the rest of the world does. Being a regional FO doesn't mean you'll have money woes, even if you don't have previous investments to help you along. If you can't get your $hit together on the 60k many start at, the problem is you sucking at budgeting, not that you don't have enough cash coming in.

I flew with a CA who was previously an investment banker, and left that life in his 50s because he always wanted to be an airline pilot. He was also financially secure because of good choices made prior to the career change and loved his life as an airline pilot.

The job is fun, and is greatly helped if you do not have the financial pressures that many have. I've been flying at my regional for nearly 7 years, and love my job. It beats the other things I have done in life by a mile, and it only got better after upgrading to Captain. It's still a cool job, wouldn't want to do anything else.
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Old 02-12-2017, 11:40 AM
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If you are financially well off, go buy your own plane and fly when you want to on your terms...not when scheduling says you have too. There's nothing more aggravating than making important plans and having scheduling roll your day off. The first couple of months are cool, and then it becomes a "job". Don't let the shiny jet syndrome get you sucked into this. If I could go back in time I would never touch professional aviation. Unfortunately, I'm stuck like a lot of pilots who don't have training in anything else and can't afford to go back to school. I'm not trying to be an ass, just saying how it is.
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Old 02-12-2017, 11:46 AM
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Originally Posted by backtoregionals View Post
If you are financially well off, go buy your own plane and fly when you want to on your terms...not when scheduling says you have too. There's nothing more aggravating than making important plans and having scheduling roll your day off. The first couple of months are cool, and then it becomes a "job". Don't let the shiny jet syndrome get you sucked into this. If I could go back in time I would never touch professional aviation. Unfortunately, I'm stuck like a lot of pilots who don't have training in anything else and can't afford to go back to school. I'm not trying to be an ass, just saying how it is.
Thank you for your input.

I have my own airplane. I think it would be more satisfying to fly with a purpose. I also think it would be extremely satisfying and challenging at my age to do something completely different for a change. I believe I can walk away from an airlone job at anytime with no adverse consequences. I realize not many can. I might like it, I might not. Nothing ventured, nothing gained as they say.

Last edited by Willard; 02-12-2017 at 11:57 AM.
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Old 02-12-2017, 12:10 PM
  #14  
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Originally Posted by Willard View Post
Not sure why you have to be an a**hole. It would have been just as well for you not to respond.
Welcome to APC, that is the norm anymore.

In all reality I don't post much on here anymore and this topic was going to be no different but I thought about it and wanted to weigh in.

No offense to guys like you, but the weekend warrior doing it for "fun" type of guys really don't do very well in this type of flying. There is always the exception and I am by no means trying to squash you enthusiasm but it is just the way it is.

The $100 hamburger guys just can't get their head around not only "real" IFR flying but also the complexities of the aircraft. The lawyer at SKW probably had 1000s of hours of TT and was a CFI, so he was better equipped. That type of person is not what I take away from your description of yourself.

Don't get wrapped around the axle with those mailers either. It is simply a number game for the recruiting departments; many don't care about the actual completion of the student but rather a warm body in the seat come day one for more PR. Heck, I got a mailer from my old airline asking me if I was interested in flying for them not two weeks after my last day there. They send out these mailers to anyone who have registered addresses with the FAA who have commercial licenses.

If you were to still pursue this, I'd suggest NOT going to Skywest. I have a lot of personal reasons for my decision but I won't clog this topic up with them, however they have one of the highest washout rates going right now in their training department due to how hard and unforgiving they are with some of their curriculum. We are talking people who wanted to become professional pilots from the start, not just "for fun" guys either.

Lastly, if you still pursue this and make it thru, please PLEASE do not go around bragging this is a for fun job and I am well off, money, upgrades, etc don't matter. It ****es many people off and it is a slap in the face to those who turned to professional aviation as a career. You'll end up on the back of compass cards really fast by doing that.

Good luck and hope you got some value out my post.
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Old 02-12-2017, 12:16 PM
  #15  
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You might also look into Ameriflight to get your feet wet on professional flying. Once you get some time there you can venture out into some of the higher time jobs, many of which can be home-based, they won't be scheduled 121 jobs though.
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Old 02-12-2017, 12:17 PM
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Originally Posted by Willard View Post
Looking at Mesa's qualification page, other than a difference in hours what is the difference between ATP 1500 hr requirements and Restricted ATP 1500 hr requirements?

If you're doing this to live the dream, SKW would be far, far better than mesa. The later would be more like "living the nightmare".

That said, what you're considering can be practical IF you're really financially secure and you're willing to commute for a little while before you can bid into PHX.

Also...regional airline bases come and go. You'll want to be prepared, in the event the PHX base closes, to either commute, move, or quit.
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Old 02-12-2017, 12:17 PM
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Originally Posted by NCR757dxr View Post
Welcome to APC, that is the norm anymore.

In all reality I don't post much on here anymore and this topic was going to be no different but I thought about it and wanted to weigh in.

No offense to guys like you, but the weekend warrior doing it for "fun" type of guys really don't do very well in this type of flying. There is always the exception and I am by no means trying to squash you enthusiasm but it is just the way it is.

The $100 hamburger guys just can't get their head around not only "real" IFR flying but also the complexities of the aircraft. The lawyer at SKW probably had 1000s of hours of TT and was a CFI, so he was better equipped. That type of person is not what I take away from your description of yourself.

Don't get wrapped around the axle with those mailers either. It is simply a number game for the recruiting departments; many don't care about the actual completion of the student but rather a warm body in the seat come day one for more PR. Heck, I got a mailer from my old airline asking me if I was interested in flying for them not two weeks after my last day there. They send out these mailers to anyone who have registered addresses with the FAA who have commercial licenses.

If you were to still pursue this, I'd suggest NOT going to Skywest. I have a lot of personal reasons for my decision but I won't clog this topic up with them, however they have one of the highest washout rates going right now in their training department due to how hard and unforgiving they are with some of their curriculum. We are talking people who wanted to become professional pilots from the start, not just "for fun" guys either.

Lastly, if you still pursue this and make it thru, please PLEASE do not go around bragging this is a for fun job and I am well off, money, upgrades, etc don't matter. It ****es many people off and it is a slap in the face to those who turned to professional aviation as a career. You'll end up on the back of compass cards really fast by doing that.

Good luck and hope you got some value out my post.
Thanks for your thoughtful post.
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Old 02-12-2017, 12:22 PM
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Originally Posted by NCR757dxr View Post
If you were to still pursue this, I'd suggest NOT going to Skywest. I have a lot of personal reasons for my decision but I won't clog this topic up with them, however they have one of the highest washout rates going right now in their training department due to how hard and unforgiving they are with some of their curriculum. We are talking people who wanted to become professional pilots from the start, not just "for fun" guys either.

This is not true. Sounds more like sour grapes.

SKW has ALWAYS had one of the best quality training programs in the industry (airline industry, not just regionals).

The washout rate has increased because the standards for getting hired have dropped to RATP mins and no felonies. In the past they used to screen candidates, including a sim check. So some people who never would have been hired in the past are getting into training and then struggling.

This is actually good for applicants, because essentially EVERYBODY gets a shot if they want it. Instead of HR deciding you're not a good enough pilot, you get the opportunity to succeed in training. Unfortunately there are some entry-level career wannabees who are simply not up to the task and sometimes the only way to find out is in 121 training.
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Old 02-12-2017, 12:47 PM
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Originally Posted by rickair7777 View Post
This is not true. Sounds more like sour grapes.

SKW has ALWAYS had one of the best quality training programs in the industry
Nothing untrue in what I said...... they have one of the highest wash rates in the industry and you just made my point about HR not stepping in the screen them out. They hire off the verbatim recital of the gouge (91.175, Electrical System, Turbine, etc). Once in, you are on your own.

I also wound't say one of the "best" either. If by "best quality" you mean you can show up looking like a door-to-door Mormon Bible talker who can memorize a gouge for the interview, then yes the "best quality" out there. Are they good? Yes! But so is most every other reputable regional's program.

Again I don't want to clog up this topic with SKW gripe but you and me are essentially saying the same thing. Their training is hard (we both said that) and their wash out rate is high (we both said that as well). How we came to those conclusions is different however.

Also just for the record my "personal reasons" are not because I've washed out at Skywest. Just in case anyone is thinking that's my bone to pick.

Last edited by NCR757dxr; 02-12-2017 at 12:58 PM.
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Old 02-12-2017, 01:55 PM
  #20  
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Originally Posted by sflpilot View Post
I believe it is still an R-ATP if you have the 1500 but only 200 hours of x-country instead of 500.
This is correct. You can also get a restricted ATP if you are only 21 years old and only 200 xcountry with all other requirements met. Unrestricted at 23 and all other requirements.
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