Originally Posted by HeavyD

It's interesting how union officials always resort to fear tactics.

Originally Posted by hawkerpilot05

That is a lame cheap shot. Our Eboard is killing it. Could things be better, sure. However, unlike the regionals, we have hardly anyone leaving and no problem hiring even with only accepting roughly 9% of all pilots that apply.

One only has to look at all the chicken littles that started the recall many years ago when Sokol/Hansel was running this place and they thought they knew better. Yea, that went real well.

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Originally Posted by hawkerpilot05

That is a lame cheap shot. Our Eboard is killing it. Could things be better, sure. However, unlike the regionals, we have hardly anyone leaving and no problem hiring even with only accepting roughly 9% of all pilots that apply.

One only has to look at all the chicken littles that started the recall many years ago when Sokol/Hansel was running this place and they thought they knew better. Yea, that went real well.

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Originally Posted by HeavyD

Comparing NJA to a regional is not a comparison we want to make. Especially if another IBB presents itself. If NJA is only hiring 9% of the applicants that apply, then they are getting applications from a lot of 1000 hour candidates.

Originally Posted by Boeing Aviator

My two cents. I’m a United pilot that provides career counseling and pilot mentoring to many pilots getting into the industry, some of who are in mid to late 50’s. Some who have been out of the industry for several decades.

We are on the cusp of a global pilot shortage. We are not there yet. There is a perfect storm in the brew on the horizon for the following factors:

1: Massive Airline Retirements

2: US Airline industry growth.

3: Historic low for new pilot starts.

4: Successful pilot union pattern bargaining.

5: Asia to need upwards 200,000 pilots over the next 20 years.

All of this will totally dry up the US airline pilot market, including the current 20,000 US regional pilots who will mostly fill the US Legacy hiring needs over the next 10 plus years.

The reason for all the above, you can’t look at what the US pilot market looks like today, or years past to extrapolate what the pilot market will look like in 5 to 10 years. I’ve tried for the past few years and it’s moving much faster (for the better) then even I anticipated.

My opinion your opportunities as a retired 121 pilot in five years will be far greater in terms of opportunities then what you see today. I believe a huge portion of the fractional and corporate pilot ranks will be retired 121 pilots.

All that being said I agree with many others that the current fractional pilot working conditions are very difficult and are not for all age 65 plus pilots.

Not sure where you live but I’d recommend trying to be a contract cooperate pilot. Work when you want and not when you don’t want to work. A good career path towards that goal is getting hired as a full time or part time instructor at CAE or Flight Safety. They hire alot of retired 121 pilots. There you will not only get type ratings but meet countless contacts to venture into the contract corporate flying world. Alot of 91 operations and even some 135 companies hire contract pilots to fill in for their pilots when they are not available. If you have a type rating and instructor time you are a shoe in.

I’d also recommend keeping a watchful eye on the website https://www.climbto350.com/ For less then $20 a month you can see many job opportunities postings first hand. But most importantly how it changes even more in pilots favor in the years to come.

As an example you will find a lot of charter jet jobs will hire you as a captain. Years ago at most bottom feeder 135 companies, your day off was yesterday when you didn’t fly on call. Today they actual have guaranteed days off and many home base.

The primary reason to visit this site over the next five years is to witness first hand how desperate these companies become as the pilot shortage becomes more of a reality.

Any way best of luck, hope some of this info was helpful.

Originally Posted by screamin jet

Thank you for this excellent post with some valuable information. I myself have been contemplating the fractional, or return to the corporate flying world, MAYBE. The reasons that many younger guys and gals here may wonder why a mandatory age 65 retired "old fogie" might pursue this is for several different reasons. 1) I still love flying and hadn't fulfilled this part of my corporate jet career earlier on as "the aspiring youngster". 2) I'm in pretty good financial shape with an "A" fund to look forward to, but due to my late start with my dream airline job and the declining economy and stock markets, it could be better. 3) Many are living longer in age. 4) Health care is a lot more expensive and continues to be. 5) Desire to keep up a lifestyle rather than throttle back economically and run out of money later on. 6) Still like traveling, the lifestyle associated with flying smaller cool jets and meeting interesting people. Those are just some of the reasons. I can understand some people wondering why and I've answered someone's curiosity. That said, I've had a storied, sometimes checkered but fulfilling great career. I have NO regrets how I landed at FedEx as a B-767 Captain. A great career for about 2 1/2 decades. It will end soon because of my age. Enjoy yours! It does go by quickly.

Originally Posted by got2fly

Having been in this business for 38 years, I've never seen an environment where it is so EASY to build a career and get a job. You have no idea what you've got. I've been through 3 airline bankruptcies and a furlough. I've worked for next to nothing whey you couldn't BUY a job. You don't see much of that these days. If you can't move your career forward in this environment, you're either INCOMPETENT or LAZY. If you think you can shame me or anyone else for wanting to work and be productive, good luck. If you're going to whine about how your career is stymied by others who want to work and fly airplanes, you're not going to get any sympathy from me.

It's a free country. Do whatever you want to do. If that is playing golf every day and flying your Cessna 172 for fun, then do it. If that is continuing your productive career as long as it is safe and legal, do it. Who are these snot nose kids who think they can tell people that working for a living is not "honorable"? Quit whining about your job prospects and go back to work. Or go cry to your mama. I'm not listening.

Originally Posted by jtf560

Just for your consideration, NetJets management has recently said they will be implementing a mandatory retirement age of 65 at some unspecified point in the future. There will be a lot of lawsuits and union grievances to sort out if it will stick. I don't believe any of the other players have or are contemplating an age restriction. I would suggest finding a good 91 job if you want to continue on, though I don't know what to suggest as to how to find that. Good luck whatever you decide.

Originally Posted by jtf560

Just for your consideration, NetJets management has recently said they will be implementing a mandatory retirement age of 65 at some unspecified point in the future. There will be a lot of lawsuits and union grievances to sort out if it will stick. I don't believe any of the other players have or are contemplating an age restriction. I would suggest finding a good 91 job if you want to continue on, though I don't know what to suggest as to how to find that. Good luck whatever you decide.

Originally Posted by Sidewinder27

Many don't like the idea of a forced retirement age in the 135 world, but I support it. Gaskets pop and heads spin when I say this, but opinions are abound these days.