masspilot,

I read this thread, and found myself both nodding and shaking my head at some of the comments. The ones that said you should retire and play with your toys were most sad and ignorant, but that's today's generation.

For whatever reason you want to fly, you should go for it, whether it is the money or the love of flying. Do not listen to those here who think you might take away some coveted FO seat from them. They're still learning, and they probably have a lot to learn.

Anyway, I have three friends, both mid-60's who still get paid to fly. However, they are not "crew members", they are CAPTAINS on part 91 biz aircraft. One of them also instructs on Falcon biz jets at FSI. Their income is in the six-figures. I know that one makes around $200K.

All three are either former-part 121 or the last one, former military (he retired out of a C-141).

So, do yourself a favor, and look outside the "box", and don't listen to those who who say you should retire and play golf. Most of them have not a clue anyway. They just want their "spot".

Forget 121, look at part 91 biz aircraft. Yes, they are out there, and you can fly them. The world is not just 121 and 135, and the 121 folks forget that there are G550s and more that fly under part 91, and some of those owners like some "snow on the roof" of those in the left seat! They don't want "wanna bees".

Hey, you have a problem making $800 a day flying a Beech King Air 200? Or maybe a $1000 a day flying a Falcon 900? Granted, with the latter, you might just have to spend several days layover in Paris, Bermuda or Vegas! Of course, on the layover the per diem is about half and they pay for your hotel too!

Not saying this will be easy, but you want to play "crew member" or captain again? It's up to you, you know what you can do.

Fly for Cape Air?????? LOL!!!!!!!!

 

And I thought the regional section had the whiniest bunch of know it all silver spoon fed if you're not at my regional you are bringing down the industry pilots. Wrong again!

 

Dang, Harsh

Hey Mooney, is that you from SAT?

 

Best of luck. I hope you land a job and share some of your valuable experience. I'm a young (early 30's) working towards transitioning to a flying career. I have worked hard my whole life for everything that I have. I've earned my way through pilot training on my own dime. I haven't even earned the right seat yet, but when I make it, I'll fly with you anyday.

 

How about you just enjoy working and flying. Now i would never take up extra work while I'm still working but when I punch out at 62.5 I will try to take up on some of the offers I have been made over the last few years. I fully realise those same offers are long gone but you get the drift. Its funny people all over this site talk about being professional and want to be compared to other profession. Every other professional I know, lawyers, Doctors etc would consider me lazy if I didn't work a bit past sixty.

 

I think much of the animosity here is misguided. It is not the pilots fault that they continue to work until 65, it is the airlines and the federal government. Many of the pilots still working over age 60 were the ones who attempted to aid their airlines by making contractual concessions that were never paid back and still have a negative impact on their paychecks and investments today. As long as the crew member can meet the airline and FAA standards for medical and operational requirements let them fly. This anger should be towards airline management and FAA regulation, not pilots themselves. It is easy enough to find out what starting salaries are prior to the beginning of your flight training, If you don't want to make a poverty line salary as a first year FO then do something else or lobby for a minimum pay for the industry.

As for the origional post, I second Alpha Flying (Planesense) out of PSM, also Tradewind based in OXC, or Cape Air out of BOS. Best of luck on the search it sounds like any organization will benefit from your experience.

 

I had the "pleasure" to fly with two freshly retired airline captains. It was more like me baby sitting then them actually contributing anything. I don't know if it's the lack of diverse flying at the airline or their age, but they were pretty worthless. One of my favorites was explaining why Ref speed changes to a guy that had been flying jets since before I was born.

 

Good Heavens! Thank providence you were there, otherwise all would have certainly perished.

 

Plenty of retired major guys over at Cape. It's a great place for someone to be home every night, but still get to go fly airplanes.

Easily the best job I've ever had; highly recommended.

 

that is why i get paid and these clowns buy their own type ratings.