I had a friend that was 53 when he got his first regional FO job.

Been at it now for 10 years and still tell people its the best job around. Not many jobs out there that will give you half the month off and pay around 100K. I realize you still have to suffer through the regional life for a few years, but I still think in the long run it's worth it. Sure it isn't what it used to be, but its still better than almost anything else out there that pays 100K per year. Most of my neighbors make about what I make, but they work twice as much as I do.

My sentiments exactly. I understand that major paycuts cut the pay 30-45% and that sucks. But $100K is still more than most people make and provides for a pretty good life.

N2,
some one once told me "A job ain't nothing but work, what do you want a job for? A career, now that's something you love!"...
My advice to you is, if you love it, go for it. It's worth it. Also, if you keep your living costs low, than $100K is tons of money;-)
good luck with your decision.
Z

I was a career changer myself. Started at Mesa at almost 38 & hired by Southwest when I was 41. Now in my 5'th year at LUV. Age doesn't matter a bit!

Rocky and N2, while I equally appreciate the comfort and retirement security that a six figure income delivers, I would like to set one minor fact straight. It takes the average pilot 10 years from starting to get hired at a Major airline, yes there are exceptions. It personally took me ten years and I was the third youngest (in my 30's) in my newhire class at NWA . After hiring on, I was surprised to realize that it would take nearly 10 years as a NWA 757 FO to break $90 an hour (~90K a year). Even after the new contract with Delta, it will still take about 5 years to break six figures in a likely airframe, A320, B737 or a year less in the 757. Unfortunately, it seems as if these pay rates come for a few years and then go away for longer. They start large, get pulled down in a bankruptcy, and never remotely catch up to the original amount, especially when taking into account inflation.

Finally, the fast upgrades at regionals are long gone. The regional markets are shrinking due to capacity draw downs and scope changes. However, there are endless thousands already employed at regionals with thousands of hours of PIC turbine making close to six figures (guys with around ten years seniority). With any movement in legacies these candidates will likely be the first to draw from. In my newhire class, all the applicants were regional Captains. The only airline with any kind of retirements coming up would be American and they still have 1,600 furloughed from 9-11. This all equates to many years of stagnation, low pay and likely a stagnated retirement portfolio.

I admit that the former NWA would have been my dream job and maybe the new Delta will be. I am one of the very luck dudes, 180 something of 5,000 that applied. But now I face a new challenge called seniority integration and the worst economy second to the Great D (i won't even say it). When it comes to finances and retirement, one cannot get emotional. Yes, flying is my passion, but when I see people in their mid-twenties making six figures just five years out of college (about one third the time), I have to ask myself if this career makes much sense any longer.

I knew all these things when I said yes to NWA, so you are probably like me in that you'll throw the dice too and hope for the best. After all isn't it the American thing to do?

Best Wishes.

Goals
 

100K in ten years is a totally doable goal in aviation. By then once inflation takes hold even the guy who delivers the mail will make six figures so it can be done.

SkyHigh

Pay no attention to Skyhigh
 

N2, the oldest guy in my newhire class at FedEx was 54. You can do it,... pay no attention to anyone who questions your sanity.
fbh

I was 39 when I got hired by a major. Do what you love. Do what you want.