Cruz5350

How about we drop a little truth here since I was in the training environment back in December. The class that 5ish people failed went through right before me and those failures were in large due to studying only gouge and the wrong gouge at that. The training department isn't stupid they know this happens and will change the tests as they see fit. Honestly these tests aren't rocket science, if you can pay attention in class, ask questions when you don't know, and put in some decent self study you'll pass just fine. Gouge is great, but use it as a study guide and not a end all be all and you'll be fine. I don't understand why you're upset with not getting the job when you admit you didn't even use the online interview gouge, did you just expect to be handed an offer since you're prior 121? In my experience some of the best and worst guys are prior 121 folks, because a small handful exhibit the attitude of being know it all's and I've already done this or that, or that's not how we did it at my last shop etc etc and I can safely say that as someone who came from a couple other airlines. Sounds like the hiring department did a good job in making their choice. To the OP if you choose to come to SkyWest don't be worried about washing out, provided you show honest effort and signs of improvement with each day or lesson you'll be just fine. I witnessed first hand this past month how willing we are to get the right guys/gals through training and to the line. PM if you have any questions.

AbramF

I read the original thread that the OP referenced on a different website and it was a truly inspiring thread. I have equally enjoyed reading this thread.

Although I am a couple of years younger than the OP, I too am contemplating a second career as an airline pilot. My situation is a bit different in that I have about 2,000 hours, 1,000 TPIC, an ATP and a First Class Medical.

I can probably do it and still maintain my business. The wild card, and what has kept me from jumping in so far, is the impact on QOL and time away from home. However, truth be told, I spend a lot of time away from home now for business, so it may not be different!

I would be interested in opinions egarding my situation. I appreciate everyone's comments and advice. These types of threads are great to read, but also give someone like me a lot to think about!

Thanks.

Abram

diverpilot

Willard - thanks, and thanks to everyone who posted. Great advice. I'm in similar circumstances. Posted a similar question today.

BravoPapa

Got a link?

Edgewoodrx

Yup. You heard it right kids. I'm 59 big ones. Re-entered aviation 6 months ago after a 16 year break. Broke out of the rest home and currently flying PIC single pilot piston Part 135. Besides all that, I possess all of those disgusting attributes already mentioned--financially secure, empty nest, old and.....drum roll please.....I am doing it for fun. Imagine.

I know this discussion is more directed towards the airline side but I thought I'd throw in. I have heard of 60 year olds being hired into the right seat of regionals but I dunno. I am not personally interested in doing that anyway but I see some great, good paying alternatives my late career change like medevac, bigger plane freight and maybe even corporate.

Kudos to the younger guys who have posted who understand the big picture and have posted here. They are probably guys who have actually had sh**ty jobs before their flying gig. There is nothing worse than having to listen to kids complain about their flying life who had a waiter job at Chilis for 8 months before Granny forked over 90k for their 141 ATP school.

As far as "drinking the koolaid," that can be a 20 year old or a 60 year old depending on how much you have experienced. Living in a hotel while you wait your turn to fly your 20 million dollar airplane is pretty nice if you were a dishwasher at a cafe in a former life. That being said, I don't condone management being greedy and not taking care of the help. Just keep it in perspective.

My background in order: Military enlisted flight engineer, CFI, own airplane, Part 135 freight, United Express FO until furloughed in 2001, currently back in the 135 bug smashers and....IM BACK!

I almost forgot. I said I do this for fun. If you have 1200 hours and want to fly freight, screw up your body clock while you fly at night, fly old equipment with steam gauges, pick your way through t-storms, shed ice with inflatable inner tube patches on the leading edge, fly cold in the winter and hot in the summer, stay hunched over cause you load/unload your own freight, send me a line. I'll hook you up. It's a high glamour job. And fun.

Bring on the hate mail but if it's too ugly I could get upset and die. Did I mention I'm old?

Noleone

Almost 50 here. Great post. I also appreciate everyone's insight.

MidLife

What he said^ Except, Im 53Yrs young, and better looking than edgewoodrx above
I have worked on Wall Street for the last 31 yrs, and have not taken a break in last 31 yrs of flying. I have owned at least one airplane, and as many as 6 at a time for 25 years. I had 2 airplanes before I could afford a car. Yes - I did well on Wall St, and for the young ones who are jealous - too Fricking bad!
Now that I can finally afford to - I retired from Wall St and joined Piedmont as an FO. For fun. Yes. For the fun of flying.

There a lot of jaded airline pilots out there who complain about it being JUST a job, blah blah blah... boo hoo. Why do I have to subscribe to that, or be sensitive to the feelings of those who are hand to mouth and doing this for subsistence wages, or (fill in any of the other hate reasons here)
While I am a proficient pilot, I have no delusions about the learning curve, and I am as sharp as any 23Yr recent grad of ERAU - lets go!

I am not apologizing for my life choices, and nor should I need to.

Blue skies and Tail Winds - to all those that enjoy flying - there is nothing else like it in gods creation!

galaxy flyer

And that above us why pilot wages have been in a downward spiral for decades! It us now a "career" for diletantes, second careerists and playboys, professionals need no longer apply. There is no pilot shortage!

Mid-life, if there is "nothing like it", where have you been the last 31 years?

GF

Edgewoodrx

Not a bad post galaxy flyer, but I respectfully disagree. I'm sure the tiny percentage of older, entry level pilots have no effect on your alleged low wages. You want low wages, go back to the regional airline wages of the 80's and 90's. Those wages were horrendous. The current 60K first year FO salaries which include 20K sign on bonuses could hardly be considered low wages in my opinion. I know there are some carriers still living in the past and not compensating pilots like they should, but we already see that trend going the other way. Again, supply and demand will prevail. Those underpaid guys are going elsewhere and/or new hires are simply not choosing those carriers for employment. Believe me, they will come around or fade away.

The business world is totally driven by supply and demand. No color blindness there--it's all green. Don't think for a minute that 1st year FO's are paid 60K because it's the right thing to do. History shows they will screw those guys to the wall given a chance. The pool of talent is simply not out there and the regional management has had to adjust.

On a side note, I've seen countless "young" pilots say they would work for free just to get flight time. It's easy to judge the young and the old who have an honest passion for flying airplanes when you already have an employee number.

But I digress. Back to the older pilot thing....Sometimes life just happens and priority makes the professional pilot thing take a back seat. If someone is lucky enough to finally be able pursue the dream, let it happen. No worries. No one is holding anyone else back. The industry is proving that. It's and awesome time to be a pilot. Ride the wave and enjoy.

MidLife

Flying all over creation with the family in my mooney - C210 - Baron. 2000 hours. Coast to coast. 500+hours in the last 4 yrs. Yup. Nothing like it.
Problem is I want to fly every day - but the rest of the family can't. So I decided to fly for the airlines!

Nothing like it