I am 40....should I look at the accelerated programs?
02-01-2008, 06:15 AM
#11
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2005
Position: LJ35 PIC
Posts: 139
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,
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,
02-01-2008, 07:36 AM
#12
Line Holder
Joined APC: Jan 2008
Position: Palm heel on the throttle quadrant
Posts: 76
Yeah, right.
Originally Posted by Swass
You're 46 and your parents are paying for your career change? Maybe it's just me but that seems kinda weird.
Not to bust your balls but why can't you pay for it yourself and tell the folks to put that money away for their retirement (unless they are already well off) or for your kids college or something?
Not to bust your balls but why can't you pay for it yourself and tell the folks to put that money away for their retirement (unless they are already well off) or for your kids college or something?
I would say, "You're 46 and your parents are paying for your career change? That's awesome!" My mom broke a Ford getting me to my first Thunderbirds show at four and Dad sure did get me exposed to flying based on my early interest and I have always been grateful for those kinds of things. But they weren't able to finance more than a few early lessons and some short rides later, one of which was my only catastrophic (single) engine failure (now that's a checkride!). I'm almost 40 and thinking about getting back in after a long absence from aviation and I would sandpaper a wildcat’s balls in a phone booth if I could get it financed for me, especially by people who love me. 
Last edited by MrWalk; 02-01-2008 at 07:59 AM. Reason: adding signature.
02-03-2008, 01:51 PM
#13
New Hire
Joined APC: Jan 2008
Posts: 3
Originally Posted by Swass
You're 46 and your parents are paying for your career change? Maybe it's just me but that seems kinda weird.
Not to bust your balls but why can't you pay for it yourself and tell the folks to put that money away for their retirement (unless they are already well off) or for your kids college or something?
Not to bust your balls but why can't you pay for it yourself and tell the folks to put that money away for their retirement (unless they are already well off) or for your kids college or something?
02-03-2008, 04:39 PM
#15
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Math Teacher
Posts: 2,274
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
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
02-03-2008, 04:45 PM
#16
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2005
Position: UPS 757/767 Capt ONT
Posts: 4,357
"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.
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.
02-04-2008, 06:03 AM
#17
Self Employed.
Joined APC: May 2005
Position: Corporate Pilot
Posts: 7,119
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
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
02-04-2008, 08:33 AM
#18
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Math Teacher
Posts: 2,274
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
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
02-04-2008, 09:37 AM
#19
Moderator
Joined APC: May 2006
Position: ATP, CFI etc.
Posts: 6,056
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
-Cubdriver
Last edited by Cubdriver; 02-04-2008 at 10:11 AM.
02-04-2008, 10:08 PM
#20
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2006
Position: left seat regional
Posts: 146
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.
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