Becoming a Regional Airline Pilot at 54
 

I have been following the story of a fellow who ditched his lawyer job to become a airline pilot in his late 50s...and he's loving it. No commute, no stressing over upgrades, no money woes. He is just living the dream he thought he would never live. He is content to live out his professional pilot job as a Regional CA. He responded to a postcard in the mail out of the blue from Skywest. I believe and was in training about a month later after wrapping up his affairs. He had plenty of experience as a CFI-I. I get those same postcards in the mail.

I'm thinking of doing the same thing. Though I don't have any instructor certificates, I do have close to 1000 hrs, instrument rating, and commercial pilot cert. I would build the rest of the necessary time on my own and pick up a multi engine commercial certificate at one of the short course schools. Not exactly sure how I will build the minimum multi time, but I will have plenty of time to think about it. My understanding is that I would need to have about 1450 hrs to begin the application process. I'm a university graduate in engineering and have former military experience. I'm financially secure. I live near Phoenix and would only likely consider a job that does not involve a commute.

Comments anyone?

Typically, you can start applying and interview about 2-3 months before you meet ATP minimums.

Just be prepared for the job. Make sure you are instrument proficient and have a good knowledge base.

SkyWest has a base in PHX and so does Mesa.. if you're not willing to commute, this is the wrong life crisis to have.

This is the type of feedback I'm looking for. I don't fully understand how the seniority system works for new hire FOs. I recognize that there may be a certain amount of commute time until my number comes up.

The PHX base for SkyWest is senior and all new hires are going to DTW and ORD for the CRJ. ERJ is going to ORD, SFO and LAX. That could be a better option for you.

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?

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.

In order to qualify for R-ATP you need to be a recent graduate of a part 141 university (North Dakota, embry riddle etc). If you got a degree in engineering you probably only qualify for for a full ATP certificate. Fastest way to build those hours is go over to the ATP flight school and get your cfi and cfii and teach for 6 monthes. The biggest thing I'll stress for you is to be able to handle a fast paced environment. Most of the guys I saw struggle were the guys who sold insurance for 20 years and then got the airline bug late in life and weren't ready for the fire hose of knowledge. And brush up on your instrument knowledge! Good luck to you!

Not sure why you have to be an a**hole. It would have been just as well for you not to respond.

He is/was an estate planning attorney, his wife is an attorney, their kids are grown. He's got plenty of money. If you're an AOPA member, you can read about his experience there.

I'm not having a breakdown. If it is only cool for a short time, so be it. I walk away.

I believe it is still an R-ATP if you have the 1500 but only 200 hours of x-country instead of 500.