Too old?? I'm only 21!
 

Hi,

I'll just get right into this...


I was talking to a friend of a friend today who is a pilot for Air Canada. I told him that I wanted to be a pilot and would be looking at doing flight training in 2-3 years when I finish up my university degree/CGA. I had figured it would take me about 2 years to get a commercial license....so I'd be about 25-6 when I had finished. (Assuming that I can actually pass my medical...*fingers crossed*)

Well...he made it seem that I wouldn't get too far as a pilot....that I should started when I was in high school because it takes so long to work your way up...that i would never see the "big bucks" (not that a care about the "big bucks")...and that at 25-6 it would be too late for me to be trying to make a career out of it.

I know that its a long process and that it can be a while before you're making a decent living...but i really find it hard to believe that I couldn't make a decent living out of it....

Pleeease tell me this guy was a little overzealous or is there much truth to what he is saying?

I need some validation here =/ or at least the an objective opinion. My logic is telling me that a few extra years won't make a huge difference but, hey, you guys are the ones who actually fly for a living!

I don't know about Canada, but spending time getting your degree is time well spent. You wouldn't be too old, at all, to start in your mid-20's in the US. Especially if you were taking time to give yourself an education outside of flying as a fall back.

Yeah, I'll disagree with your Canadian buddy. I am one of those that got started before I could even drive a car, but I have met a lot that are on their second career, in fact quite a few are on here. They started in their 30's and have been able to fly at the regional level but are probably too old to get on with a major. I have heard that some schools like WMU, typical flight students don't even start training until their last two years? so 23-24? As for the military route, I actually know someone who I graduated college with, never did ROTC or anything and has a flight slot with the Navy (just finished OCS). As far as I know he had never even planned on the military after college, but the industry turned him in that direction. The military, I think, puts him in an ideal position to get on with a major... In 15 years, if airlines still exist. Hope this helps.

If I can add anything to the above responses it would be to get new friends..

25-26 is not too old. I go to school at the University of North Dakota, and there are a lot of instructors here who are in their late 20's. I'm not sure about Canada, but at least here in the United States, it's all about total time. Being 25-26 is definitely not uncommon. In fact, I'd say that is the age of most new hire regional F/O's here.

It's not necessarily about how old you are unless you're 45 years old trying to get a regional job, maybe then you'd have issues. So try to get that commercial certificate as quick as possible, get your CFI and start building up your time. Like flyandive said, I know of multiple people who are in their 30's just starting out, and they're going to be fine.

Just out of curiosity, what do the Canadian regionals require for total time and multi-time?

My god you are ancient. You only have about 40 good years left at your age. You "friend" is full of sh!t.

I interviewed with several potential employers over this past year (got hired and still no job but I digress...) and in each interview there were several guys in their 40's that were applying as well and they got a job offer. You're never to old to start flying.

Thanks everyone :) I thought so but figured I'd ask anyways.

He was a bit of a cocky fellow but I dreaded that maybe there was some truth to it since he does fly for Air Canada

"since he does fly for Air Canada"

And this means what?