Pilatus801

OK folks, i could use some solid advice. I am in my mid 40s and itching for a career change. I got my PPL years ago, prior to 9/11. i was planning on making a career in aviation but with all the furlows and layoffs after 9/11 i walked away. Now i am considering getting back into it. Just finishing up my Instrument rating currently and going to finish up the CPL. Not so sure about being a CFI. Hoping i can get on with a charter/cargo/tour company to build time to 1,500.

In reading all the different posts on this site, i get the impression that things aren't super rosy for new hires even as pay and bonuses are going up. I kind of wonder if its worth it at my age. I certainly would be taking a pay cut and i presume i would have to "pay my dues for the next 5 years"

I don't know...is it worth it? Is the airline pilot job really awesome or is that just a false perception that a lot of people have? I think most of us tend to romanticize certain things when we are on the outside looking in. Shower me with your advice......Thanks!!

bigtime209

I'd say if you're willing to bust your tail and get your training done and build hours as quickly as possible, then go for it. Things are going to start moving faster and faster in the industry in terms of movement over the next few years. The HUGE wave of retirements at the legacies really begin to start taking off in about 4-5 years. So you if you get at it and try to get to a regional within the next couple of years, you'd be sitting alright. We've had tons of age 55+ guys start at Envoy over the last year. To answer your question on is the job awesome? Well, just like anything it has it's pros and cons and good days and bad days. Being away from home/family is obviously the hardest part. But overall, yeah it's awesome. It definitely beats working for a living. And the travel benefits are obviously pretty awesome. Good luck.

jshoneycutt

When you look past all the talk about upgrade time, bonuses, pay - in other words, all the recruiting talking points - would you be happy if you only experienced marginal success compared to the talk? Or, will your happiness in the career be dependent upon reaching every miles stone in record time? The most miserable sounding contributors on this site seem to be obsessed with the margins - 3 month upgrade time compared to 24; if paid block or better versus segment; minimum daily flight credits for pay; signing bonus paid on day one or after line check... Just be ready to make it work. Be ready to make the toughest sacrifices so when things work out better you can be excited for it. According to APC members, I work for the worst airline in the world. Still, I am loving it! Every day I make it what I want it to be. It is tough some days when I just do not get along with my captain and I just want the trip to end before one of us has a chance to say something that will send the other up the wall.

So again, if you are only interested in the career because all the promise of quick career progression, you may quickly find yourself medically disqualified either from a heart attack or mental illness. If you simply recognize now is a good time to start then go for it. Work hard, work smart, and let the chips fall where they may. Do not get caught up in those who may beat you to your dream job "but if only."

I hope that helps some.

Pilatus801

Thanks to HoneyCut and Bigtime for the comments!!

Av8tor6743

It boils down to....do you like to fly. I am 50 and I pushed all the chips into the middle of the table. I knew I loved to fly and wanted to get paid to do it. The others are correct, its a job, but they pay us to fly...things are moving fast, dont wait for a few years to make the leap, because for one the window might close in the next 5 years and then you will always wonder. I spent the money out of my pocket to get the last 250 hours (rentals and time builders) to get to the Regionals faster. I probably should have gotten on with a 135 operation(or somewhere I could get alot of hours quick) long ago to get paid for those hours but didnt want to wait to get here. I know I will not get rich in the next year or two (but will make great money in a few after that) but it beats any other work that I would want to do.

Blackhawk

If you do it and don't like it you can go back. If you don't do it you will always wonder, what if...?

HardLemonade

That's my pickup line with the ladies. Verbatim.

Grabo172

I’m not officially at Envoy yet (Dec class date), but like you, I’m mid 40s (44) and am going for it.

With having 21 years left, there’s still plenty of time to make a career of it and get to the majors. I’m leaving a very well paying job, but a job I have to drag myself to every day just chasing the paycheck. I finally decided I’d like to look forward to going to work.

I’ve done the last 17 years part time instructing on the side because I loved it. Making the move now to the airlines makes sense. The industry needs us and pay/QOL are starting to get better for new hires. Even though it will take 7-8 years to about match my current salary, after that, it’ll skyrocket above anything I can make in nuclear power.

I understand it’s not all glory but it’s something I’ve been wanting my entire life. The benefits and job satisfaction will far outweigh the lower income to start.

Long write up, but I hope it will let you know that there other pilots out there in your situation that are making the change...

Cheers!

JOLLY 33

^^I'm 47 and there's plenty of time to scratch all my itches. The outlook is very favorable, both in the U.S.A. and in other regions around the world. The demand for pilots world-wide will provide financial opportunities for those willing to take that step. Good luck to all of you!

Regionalsuck

Do you hate your family and never want to see them? Do you want to work every weekend, holiday and friend and family gathering for little reward and live out of a bag in random 3 star hotels with nothing nearby but a Waffle House and a gas station? Do you crave getting a swift kick in the nuts by management just about every time you think things are about to finally go in your favor with this career? Does the idea of sleeping in a dirty NY crashpad full of 20 somethings to 60 yr olds and sharing hot bunks in a room full of 6-8 snoring people sound like a lovely way to spend your Saturday night? If the answer is yes than the regionals are for you! Living the dream! Sad but true.

If you do go for it.. Number 1 tip, Live in base. It is 1 million times better than commuting to this job. In every aspect. Every time I have lived in base I at least had some happiness from this career choice. Although brief and inconsistent. Ever time I have commuted to reserve or terrible lines I have been absolutely miserable and seriously wanted to quit every day. *Note (I have moved to base 3 times here and been displaced 5 times. No base is safe from displacement or closure. We have had 5 closures since I have been here. 2 came back but there was a lot of pain and families wrecked in that time period. So unfortunately my number 1 tip is not safe from an epic disaster and complete failure. So good luck with that. I would recommend avoiding regionals and 121 flying all together. It isn't as great as it seems. Get a good local job and fly for fun on the side. Of course nobody ever listens to that but they probably should.

If you are single, the pain and BS "may" be worth it to you. If you have a family you care about I would HIGHLY recommend avoiding the regionals like the plague.