Hello Everyone,

I just started pursuing my pilots license. I am 32 now. I plan to get this done and be ready to apply within 5 years (for at least the regionals). I have been told that airlines are hesitant to hire anyone past the age of 32. Does anyone know if there is any thruth to this? I appreciate all your feedback.

 

Especially at the regional level, age isn't a player. It's about quals and that's about it. I don't see being 37 being a factor at all.

 

I know a guy who was hired at UPS at 48 and another at Delta at 50. That was even before the age 65 ruling was adopted.

Get on with it!

AL

 

Thanks! This makes me feel so much better. It has been my life long dream. I didn't keep up with it when I was younger and was afraid I had lost more than time. Thanks again!

 

Good luck,and Godspeed !

 

N2flying,

I tried to send you a PM, but you don't accept those. So, here's what I had intended to send to you:

--------------------

Hi,

I saw your post regarding taking flight lessons and pursuing a flying career. Make sure you do your research and be sure this is what you want to do.

I cannot, in good conscience, recommend this career. It has become just a job and it's not the career it once was. When kids ask me about becoming a pilot, I cannot bring myself to give this "career" a glowing recommendation.

Frankly, I'm skeptical that things will get better for airline pilots.

If you enjoy flying, then great. You don't have to fly jets or turboprops in order to have fun with flying.

I can honestly say that you'll probably have more fun flying a Piper Cub than a CRJ or a 737.

Just be sure you are pursuing this thing for the right reasons. There is no big money or any kind of good quality of life to speak of.

I wish you good luck with your endeavors.

Sincerely,

"Homa"

 

Thanks and I appreciate your objectivity. Yes, I have considered how much different it is today than it used to be. I worked for US Airways for 8 years, inflight. I began in 1999 when the front end had excellent work rules and great pay. I did not leave until 2007 at which point the contracts had been gutted through 2 bankruptcies and their lives had changed dramatically. This has been a very bad time for the industry, but it is cyclical and it will get better. While I don't think it will be as good as it was, at least in my life time, it will get better.

Thanks again.

 

Okay, you've been the "industry", so I guess I was preaching to the choir.

Wishing you the best of luck.

 

Age isn't a player anymore like it used to be. I got hired at a major at 32, and that was 22 years ago. Your resume isn't as important as it used to be, either. It's all about being who, as a person, that the interviewers want. Supply and demand is a big player.

That said, I just recently got my rejection letter from SWA. 54 yrs old, and 20,000 hours TT with 737 Check Airman time. A couple guys in my interview group got hired, though, with much less time than me, and one of them was in his mid 40's. I asked one of the interviewers if they cared about age, and she told me that as long as I wasn't 65, they didn't care.

Good luck to you, but make sure you know what you're getting into. It ain't what it was.

TW

 

I had the same concerns myself when I was in Sep of '06 where you are now. I was 42 then, and am now working for a 50 to 86 seat regional carrier that I am glad to say am enjoying very much! I am just getting back from a short 2 and a half month furlough but I came into this knowing it was a possibility and was prepared financially. Things are looking on the positive side but it can in change in a matter of weeks..., that fact will never cease to amaze me.., but I recognize this industry for what it is. The payoff for me is the challenge, the company, and the view. The pay doesn't come close to justifying doing this job for several years, but I'm ok with that.

Best of luck to you!