soldierboy

I have one year before retiring from the Army. I am finally back in the states from 5 years in Korea. Now I have a FBO near me to do my PPL. Am I too old (almost 40) to start my flight training and be able to get any flying jobs? Will they hire someone my age after my training? I have a wife and son (2 yrs old) and would like to get a job flying. Any advice? I would hope to fly regional airline but are there many jobs for single commercial too?
Thanks.

rickair7777

You have a lot of research to do, but no you are not too old.

However...you will not make it to the highest levels in the airline business. You could comfortably get a regional job, upgrade to CA, and hang out there. Your army retirement is a big plus in that will supplement the marginal wages at the regionals.

If you really hustled, you could probably progress through the regionals, get a major job, and even upgrade to CA before age 65. But you will never enjoy good relative seniority along the way...you will spend a lot of time on reserve, and your QOL will be poor.

You could also do corporate or charter flying...there are a variety of options in general aviation which you will learn about while you do your training if you keep your eyes open and talk to folks.

Based on your bio, you did not start the army as a commissioned officer...if you hope to get a major airline job you will need a 4-year degree too.

UCLAbruins

I don't think you're too old (starting at 40).

It seems to me like you feel the left seat of a regional is the farthest you'll get because you're starting at 40....Do your flight training, flight instruct, put in a few years at a regional and see where you are. Your options then, stay there as a Captain, go to a major/cargo/fractional or get a good corporate job.

If you get to a major in your late 40s, you may/may not make it to the left seat, but that's OK. You can still have a nice career flying from the right, and probably get to be a very senior F/O...

whatever you decide, good luck, you'll need it in this profesion, (we all do)

Ewfflyer

Hang around the boards, and really look through this specific forum. There have been many before you. Good luck

soldierboy

I am working on "selling" the idea of flight training to my wife adn letting me do it. She always tells me it'll be a waste of time because I will never get a pilot job after spending all that money. What is everyones thoughts on that?

SkyHigh

It all depends upon what your definition of a job is. If you expect to make enough to justify the cost of training and support a family then that can be a long road. I would carefully look at what your needs and expectations are.

Times are hard and it might be difficult to even get a regional job without a four year degree. Maybe your GI bill is burning a hole in your pocket but in the long run you need to be able to make a living. I would carefully read these boards.

My father in law blew his GI bill getting his commercial instrument and then never flew again. Here it is 35 years later and he laments not getting something that he could make a living with.

Skyhigh

WeaselBoy

Airlines seem to be either feast or famine. If you are eligible for the airlines in one of the feast times, life is great. If you hit one of the famine times, life sucks. Unfortunately, there is no real way to predict airline hiring. Last year, some airlines were hiring with a wet commercial pilots cert. This year most airlines are furloughing.

My advice, do it. Do your PPL, see if it's something you want to keep doing. Then keep an eye on airline hiring as you start your Inst, Multi, and Comm certs.

I started a little late in life too after the military...