Willard

True, but your delivery style was less than helpful.

Flying with smart alecky people who hate their jobs and position in life sounds like the greatest challenge.

From what I gather, those types seem to be most vocal here but there are way more "silent types" who are very satisfied as an airline pilot.

prex8390

No one is trying to be a naysayer. A lot of guys are trying to tell you real life advice. Sorry it might not be what you wanna hear, I've been though two regional ground schools now, like I had mentioned on the first page and several people have said Now after me, it's a young mans game, if you really wanna go through with this, do it, just don't brag about living the dream and get defensive from the guys that have been there for 10 years trying to get a call from united and don't wanna listen to how you're living off your savings in a paid off house while they lived on Ramon for years. You gotta be prepared for a super fast ground school, there is a test every week that you need an 80 percent to pass and it's all info you learned that week and possibly even that morning before the test. That's the biggest hurdle, and like people said it's the guys who built 1200 hours 20 years ago and gained the rest slowly up until now handing out BFRs to their neighbor to build that last 300 hours who really struggle because they barely remember anything from private pilot yet alone all the changes in the aviation world since then. Things from 1990, 2000 and heck even just 5 years ago are drastically different. The guys doing that have really built a sterotype for themselves in the last 2 years with the start of the regional hiring boom coming in, you can always tell who's the guy not doing well in ground school and generally speaking it's been the older fellas. If you're heart is really set on doing this, do it. Just come prepared for some big hurdles and a lot of things you probably aren't expecting about the flying.

NCR757dxr

I don't know if you lumped me in to this or not but I'll address it anyway. I'm happy overall.

All I was saying is basically two fold: 1) Washout rate is higher for guys like you and I've seen it twice, personally, out of the two "fun for guys" I've been in class with at different airlines. One instructor said it was pretty common after the one guy was bounced. Basically just be ready to have to have to try three times as hard as others. 2) If you do actually do it and make it thru, do not brag that this is for fun. You'll make the list of "that guy" and you don't want to be on that list.

As far as my SKW comments go, I simply offered an observation since you mentioned they were on the list.

HighFlight

And that is one thing APC is great for, opinions!! Trouble is, some are like... well, you know!

But I agree with this post 200%. Don't go into debt just to fly. Sounds to me like he won't have to, since he has his own plane already. Sure, he will have to pay for the multi engine rating and the 25 hours in it with an instructor, but we all had to. Sounds like he is in a position to do that easily. Good on him.

For those who wish to whine about people like Willard who are moving here as a second career after being successful in a first, meh. Sorry if you don't like their method of getting to where they are, but that's all it is, a method. For some, flying jets is a job. For others, it is a hobby. For a few, it is their dream. There is nothing wrong with starting a second career in aviation.

If you have an issue with the guy sitting in the right being 20 or 30 years older than you and making twice as much as you, then perhaps the real problem is in the left seat, not the right? Just something to ponder.

Sonny Crockett

My .02 cents.......

I was a Chief Pilot for a large regional while on furlough from the big "U".

Personally we liked the older guy who just wanted to fly airplanes. They brought some maturity to the line. I for one had ZERO issues with an "older" guy....in fact I was happy to have them in the mix. One of them was an ex-Army aviator and had no interest in moving on to the Majors (however I convinced him and he is at FEDEX now) also a few others come to mind that ended up in the training department--they were great instructors and brought a lot of experience not just from flying. Any pilot can have difficulty in training....young or old.

Nothing wrong with a second career I say go for it and get involved with ALPA (wear the pin) or whatever union is at your company--that is another area where maturity and life experience can help as well...especially the guy who was a Lawyer!


Good Luck to you sir!

Sonny

Willard

Thanks for you $.02 Sonny.

Boeing Aviator

Willard,

Please check your PM inbox.

osuav8r

While there's maybe a tiny bit of stigma for guys doing what you're doing, who cares. The only thing that's going to matter once you make it through training is are you safe and nice to fly with. I found most of the guys making the change like you to have a great attitude and be humble and hard working. A lot of the issue that guys have with the later in life career changers is that they feel that they're not on the same team because career changers tend to be willing to defend their company even when they're mistreating their pilot group and it doesn't sit very will with the guys depending on this career for their financial wellbeing. Be humble about your financial position and try to identify with the gripes people have with the company and you won't have any problems.

I would much prefer to fly with someone like you who is enthusiastic about what we're doing and positive than someone who is miserable and has a poor attitude. Everyone keeps hammering how poor you're going to be and how it would make more financial sense to keep doing what you're doing and they're probably right, but you only get this one life and you don't have too many more years to do what you want career wise.

It seems to me like you're probably somewhat wealthy and are just too polite to say it and a lot of the guys aren't picking up on that. It's cool to fly a jet and make the mission happen. There have been points in my career when I almost couldn't take being poor anymore and got tired of my company dumping BS on me, but I'm glad I chose what I chose. Skywest doesn't have a lot of patience for someone that isn't putting in the work in training, but as long as you're giving it your legit best effort, they're not unreasonable at all. IF you go there, make friends with your classmates and spend time quizzing each other. That was the way my class did it there years ago and everyone got through.

Before anyone asks, if it matters, my career path was CFI>Night freight>Trans States>Skywest>Continental>United.

Utah

I flown with numerous pilots that came to the regionals in their late 40s to mid 50s. Usually they've retired from a government job with a pension or have done very well in the private sector. Nearly all of them weren't in it for the money and enjoyed working as little as possible while using their travel benefits as much as possible. -- Good for them, and if that description fits you Willard good luck in your pursuits.

Boeing Aviator

Willard,

I'm a United pilot and I have mentored pilots and offer career guidance. I specialize in helping pilots prepare and get through 121 training. Working with someone now mid 50's and been very actively helping him get through regional FO training.

My two cents. Absolutely great time to be pilot, especially for those later in life that want to fulfill dream of flying for an airline and or pursuing a second career.

Like many have stated training is difficult. However with the right preparation, hard work, the right attitude and perseverance it's very doable. Lots of opportunities for older pilots today that historically hasn't been in the past. Global pilot shortage is only going to intensify over time and provide more career opportunities for older pilots entering the profession.

Best of luck!