Starting a second career late in life is a great thing. Most likely you have finally decided to pursue what you always wanted to do.

Just be careful. At least by now you have age on your side and the life experience that comes with it. Our industry is a weird one, and I constantly find myself having to explain certain aspects of it over and over again to friends and family.

Don't spend all your money on a program that will get you nowhere fast. I'm especially thinking of the ones that makes a lot of promises up front. And like somebody mentioned earlier don't pay to sit right seat. Yes you can probably get away with it, but it degrades all of us and our profession.

Take the time to research, it will be worth it!

Also you might think now that this a big world, but it amazing how small it really is. For better and worse.

And start networking now! That is really where most of your energy/resources is worth being spent.

GL,

Yeah, right.
 

It's not just you. If I was 46 and still being supported by M&D I certainly wouldn't tell anyone about it. Yikes! I guess your dignity is for sale for 50K.

Sweptwingthing, get off of these forums

Swass & Nihon:

Yeah...it's an awesome thing to have my Mom and Dad ask me after 20 years if I'm still interested in going to flight school and that they are willing to pay for it. Like I said before, they never said they wouldn't send me; things have just worked out that now is the right time for me.

On the other, Nihon, as far as my parents financing my career change at 46, I couldn't give a Sam Hill what you or any one else think about it. I chose to share that information. My parents were very successful in their chosen careers and in terms of financial planning...they were equally successful. Btw, so am I.

Nuff said.



atp

"Sweptwingthing, get off of these forums"

Guys like him don't last long. Don't think he made it past 4 posts.

Please people, when you see trolls like this, use the report post feature. We caught this guy pretty quick but next time it would be great if the users say something before the mods/admin stumble across it.

Keep in mind
 

We have seen the results of the stock market bubble, the real estate meltdown and now regional airlines have been overheating during the last 6 years or so.

Starting a new airline career past forty is extremely risky at best. Given the shaky economy and cyclical nature of aviation is is unlikely that the latest hiring boom will continue much longer. Most everyone who was hired over the last two years could end up on the street overnight if the market changes.

It is difficult for anyone to make it past a regional and if they have a family in tow as a new career entrant it is almost negligent and unfair to them. Most spouses would want to offer their support but they really don't know what they are getting into.

My suggestion would be to only consider a career change to aviation past thirty if:

-- Financially independent or have a retirement already.

-- Not married, and no children

-- I would go to an accelerated school.

-- Fully understand that the job requires you to be gone more than half the year. you will miss every weekend, holiday and family function for the next 5 to 10 years or so.

Pilots sleep and live mostly in cold hotel rooms, crash pads and in terminals. You will earn less than the neighborhood mailman for a long time and most likely will be laid off at some point.

Pilot skills are nearly worthless to the outside world. If you loose your job or medical you are investing into a career that has no residual or transitional value. A good idea is to always have a soilid plan "B".

SkyHigh

SkyHigh:

Man it is great to see a recent/current post from you :). It's great to see posts that shoot straight from the hip and offers good sound advice.

Believe you me...I have researched this matter and have talked it over with my fiance and she is behind me 100%.

As you pointed out, having a back-up plan is critical. Currently, I work in the HQ for a company...(as a temp)...that owns at least 62 Assisted Living facilities around the country. I'm in the A/P dept. I actually had the Dir. of Recruiting come to me and say, "Marcus, if the flying thing doesn't work out, we'd be glad to have you join us here at Signature Health (not advertising Mr. Moderator).

The company is located in Palm Beach Gardens and starting salaries are in the high 30's to low 40's. An MBA would double my salary. So, it's a win/win situation for me.


Great to see you posting again SkyHigh.



atp

Hey Sky, nice to hear from you. I hope you're staying current in your C150 in your off-hours. Simple airplanes are the most fun... all I get here are Garmin Nav III airplanes that are glitzy, expensive, and overly high tech for what they do. Give me an old Cub, Skylane, or 150 any day.

-Cubdriver

Hey Skyhigh - glad you're still around! Although I don't always agree, you definitly bring up some valid points that many of us either forget, don't want to admit, or just got lucky. This industry certainly isn't ALL roses and I'm glad you're around to remind us once in a while.:D