Yes 36 is too old to start. Run away, as a fast as you can. You'll never make any more for the first 10 years and if you're lucky you'll start making money after 15 or 20 year... by then itll be time to retire. So no, don't even bother.

hahaha ^^^THIS^^^
I’m a 47 year old pt61 CFI... REALLY good advice unless you really, really, really love flying aircraft... in which case, jump in the deep end and dig in with all you got at full throttle... historically, there’s never a better time to finish your training than in an industry downturn...

5 years ago I was 35 and I had just taken my first flying lesson. I am now at a 135 making $100,000 a year. It’s never too late if you work at it.

As far as I know, in 2009, Congress changed the mandatory retirement age for airline pilots from 60 to 65.

Dang I didn't realize OP was 36 in 2006. So he's 50 now. Hope he's in a good place in his career.

I started at the age of 39. Got my PPL 1 year ago. Got my instrument. About 2 months away from my Commercial. Lined up a 2 day course to do a Multi add-on after that. Still chewing on whether to add the single engine seaplane. CFI work is too full at the moment but I'll eventually grab the CFI as well.

If you love flying you'll never regret going for it.

I won't pull the punch. It's hard work, it'll eat up all your spare time. If you don't have a supportive spouse you might be signing up for a divorce. It's extremely expensive, even going the part 61 route. If you get started now and manage to land a job with your wet commercial (unlikely) you should be ready to grab a slot at a regional when demand comes back.

Good luck. PM me if you want advice or have specific questions.

I hope so too. It is interesting how things progress with each individual. I wonder if his legal trouble held him back.

It’s too late...if you start at age 64.

Maybe got his first regional job, then quit flying with a bitter taste in his mouth.

There is a MEME floating around.

Interviewer: How many years experience do you have?

Potential hire: 30 years of experience

I: How old are you?

P.H.: 20 years old

I: How did you get 1.5 times your age in experience?

P.H.: Overtime.