Best Age to a Major
09-13-2010, 08:54 PM
#21
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Joined APC: Mar 2007
Position: Tiki bar
Posts: 2,633
Originally Posted by PSpence
For those who have replied so far, if you don't mind me asking more ... what age did you intially start flying? How'd you build up your time in getting to a Major?
It's been a roll of the dice so far. I think everyone's flying career is in some aspect or another. Had you told me 5 years ago my timeline would have looked as it does, I'd have said you were crazy. I've had some setbacks, but I've been very lucky too. Work hard, try to stay positive and network as much as you can. Hopefully the economy will improve and hiring will resume; that seems to help the 'dice' land more where you want them.
09-13-2010, 09:22 PM
#22
New Hire
Joined APC: Aug 2010
Posts: 7
AGE 30 or BUST (If you want to be realistic)
You want to be at a Major by age 30. This is assuming the airline does not go under. That will give you ten years to upgrade to captain. At age 40 you will be a low end captain. By age 50 you will be a high seniority captain at max pay or near max pay. Then you have 10-15 years to have max pay with a great schedule. If you dont make it by about age 35 it probably wont be worth the sacrifice...Just my personal opinion when you look at it strictly by the sacrafice vs. reward.
However the corporate world is always up in the air when it comes to finacial success. Which is where I would advise someone who has bad luck in the airline industry to go.
However the corporate world is always up in the air when it comes to finacial success. Which is where I would advise someone who has bad luck in the airline industry to go.
09-13-2010, 09:31 PM
#23
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2010
Posts: 363
More importantly, TAKE CARE OF YOUR HEALTH.
More and more of our careers are being shifted to later years. Tremendous amount of the stress, lack of QOL, poor eating habits on the road and sitting still all day long. I am still surprised at how many lose medicals in their 50s. While in many instances it is just bad genes and unavoidable, it is probably the biggest personal investment you can make to your career and family(and the airline can't f^ck with it
).
My 2 pennies-
KC
More and more of our careers are being shifted to later years. Tremendous amount of the stress, lack of QOL, poor eating habits on the road and sitting still all day long. I am still surprised at how many lose medicals in their 50s. While in many instances it is just bad genes and unavoidable, it is probably the biggest personal investment you can make to your career and family(and the airline can't f^ck with it
).My 2 pennies-
KC
09-13-2010, 11:43 PM
#24
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Joined APC: Dec 2009
Position: 737n/FO
Posts: 667
Originally Posted by AirRider
You want to be at a Major by age 30. This is assuming the airline does not go under. That will give you ten years to upgrade to captain. At age 40 you will be a low end captain. By age 50 you will be a high seniority captain at max pay or near max pay. Then you have 10-15 years to have max pay with a great schedule. If you dont make it by about age 35 it probably wont be worth the sacrifice...Just my personal opinion when you look at it strictly by the sacrafice vs. reward.
However the corporate world is always up in the air when it comes to finacial success. Which is where I would advise someone who has bad luck in the airline industry to go.
However the corporate world is always up in the air when it comes to finacial success. Which is where I would advise someone who has bad luck in the airline industry to go.
Good Luck.
09-14-2010, 01:03 AM
#25
Are we there yet??!!
Joined APC: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,010
Originally Posted by Diver Driver
It's been a roll of the dice so far. I think everyone's flying career is in some aspect or another. Had you told me 5 years ago my timeline would have looked as it does, I'd have said you were crazy. I've had some setbacks, but I've been very lucky too. Work hard, try to stay positive and network as much as you can. Hopefully the economy will improve and hiring will resume; that seems to help the 'dice' land more where you want them.
I have had my app in at DL/AA (with recs) for 12 yrs now, when I first hit my 1000TPIC and still no call for the interview.
09-14-2010, 03:34 AM
#26
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Joined APC: Jul 2008
Posts: 4,923
Originally Posted by Superpilot92
I started with NWA/DAL the week after my 27th birthday and i was 2nd youngest in my class. I think the avg though was 30/31. The key is to get on as early as possible. Good luck
09-14-2010, 05:58 AM
#27
Underboob King
Joined APC: May 2005
Position: Guppy Commander
Posts: 4,412
Originally Posted by hockeypilot44
I started at NWA at 26 and I'm senior to this ^ guy.
09-14-2010, 06:07 AM
#28
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Joined APC: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,044
Originally Posted by PSpence
Hello Everyone:
My first thread start, so pardon if it's a bad one ... Young Pilot here, always thinking about the future as a Pilot. So, I was wondering what's the ideal/realistic age (in a perfect world) to a make it to a Major? Or, if you are one who is already at a Major, what age did you make it in? I know several factors can affect when one makes it in and there is no hard number regarding age, but I was curious as to what the average is.
Please no negative comments about "getting out while you're still young" or anything along those lines ... I'm in it for the long haul.
Thanks in advance for the responses, I appreciate it.
My first thread start, so pardon if it's a bad one ... Young Pilot here, always thinking about the future as a Pilot. So, I was wondering what's the ideal/realistic age (in a perfect world) to a make it to a Major? Or, if you are one who is already at a Major, what age did you make it in? I know several factors can affect when one makes it in and there is no hard number regarding age, but I was curious as to what the average is.
Please no negative comments about "getting out while you're still young" or anything along those lines ... I'm in it for the long haul.
Thanks in advance for the responses, I appreciate it.
I made it at 24 (but very much on the backside of the hiring wave).
Good luck to you!
09-14-2010, 06:42 AM
#29
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Joined APC: Jul 2009
Position: MD11 CA (rtd.)
Posts: 318
Originally Posted by hoserpilot
^^^^^^^^^^^^
Seniority is everything. I was on track to be at a major at the age of 28 and then 9-11 happened. I'm 37 now and enjoying life at a major. My class had some guys in their mid 40's. Heck, you could get hired at 50 and still have a good career. If your 50 and live in base, who cares if your on reserve. You may never be a senior widebody captain but there is nothing wrong with being a senior FO.
Seniority is everything. I was on track to be at a major at the age of 28 and then 9-11 happened. I'm 37 now and enjoying life at a major. My class had some guys in their mid 40's. Heck, you could get hired at 50 and still have a good career. If your 50 and live in base, who cares if your on reserve. You may never be a senior widebody captain but there is nothing wrong with being a senior FO.
I was hired back in '79 right out of college and my older brother had the same thing happen in '78, but what you said about being a right seat guy that gets his first choice is spot on.
My neighbor was a 767 Capt. and wanted to see his kids grow up so he jumped back to the right seat on a 777 and has a great schedule.
Eventually, we'll all end up retiring and you'll get a seat at a major.
09-14-2010, 06:56 AM
#30
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Joined APC: Apr 2008
Position: Sleeping in the black swan’s nest.
Posts: 5,709
You want to be at a Major by age 30. This is assuming the airline does not go under. That will give you ten years to upgrade to captain. At age 40 you will be a low end captain. By age 50 you will be a high seniority captain at max pay or near max pay. Then you have 10-15 years to have max pay with a great schedule.
I was hired at UAl at age 29 was a captain by age 40 and am now a very junior F/O on the 757/767. None of this stuff is scripted.
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