To late for pilot training?
 

Probably subject of my question goes beyond the scope of usual FAQ, but I would like to ask all of you (who think that my question is not childish), is there any chance that 37 years old male from small country in Europe (Croatia), with serious ambition to became pilot of airline company, starts with training for airline pilot, and what prospects in pilot-career could be expected in that case (or instead “in that case”, maybe I should say: “regarding my age”)? To make my challenge more provocative, my knowledge of airline industry is on zero level (I am an electrical engineer).


I would be thankful if I could get honest answer from experienced person from airline industry.

huby

huby:

There is a story about a 70 year old lady that wanted to go to law school. All her friends told her she was too old to become a lawyer. Then one day a friend said to her, "In 5 years from now you will be 75. Do you want to be a 75 year old lawyer or a 75 year old something else"? She started law school the next week.

The question is for you: In 5 years you will be 42, do you want to be a 42 year old electrical engineer or a 42 year old airline pilot? There are 42 year old pilots getting hired on a regular basis at most airlines. Don't dupe yourself into thinking your age will be a factor - It's more about the motivation and commitment. Better get studying!

I believe the retirement age for airline pilots in Erope is 65, so you have 28 years to before you have to retire. Follow your heart. Do what you want. Good luck. :)

5 Years
 

In 5 years you could also be an unemployed broke and a deeply in debt pilot. When we are in our 20's it is romantic to be impoverished. It is not so much fun to be poor and over 40. Sure it is possible, but the latter is much more probable.

SkyHigh

Lots of opportunities in Europe for airline pilots. With the right to live and work in the EU you shouldn't have any trouble getting a decent job.

The difficult part is the transition from your current full time career to the first paying job as a pilot. You'll have to devote a lot of time and pay a lot of money for training. If you can do that while maintaining your current job that would be best. If not, it is a far greater risk.

Make sure you talk to more people in Europe about the career path for a pilot just starting out. Make sure you can get a JAA First Class Medical. Be ready to make a lot of sacrifices if this is what you really want to do.


Typhoonpilot

There are several issues regarding age...

-Are you too old to learn new things? No, 37 is young enough and your EE background means that the academics should not be tough for you at all.

-Is there a cultural barrier to getting hired at your age? In the US it used to be very difficult to get hired as an airline pilot after age 30, but that is no longer the case here....you could get hired at age 50 if you wanted to. I'm not certain, but I think the europeans are still a little more traditional, but you would need to ask a european pilot.

-Compensation: There is a lot of training expense and low wages in the early years of a pilot career. Training costs in europe are so high that most europeans come to the US to do some or all of their training. Can you afford the training, and about 6-10 years of fairly low pay? This all depends on your economic and family situation. Would it be worth it in the long run?

-Medical: Can you pass the medical requirements? European is more stringent than US. If so do you live a healthy lifestyle so you can keep your medical certificate through age 65?

-Regional Airline: Major airlines are better than regional airlines...at your age it would be possible to do your training, work as a flight instructor to build hours, get a regional airline job, and then eventually get a major airline job. But by the time you get to the major, you will be so old that it may not be worth it. If you just plan on staying at a regional airline, a career change would make more sense (to me anyway).

A lot of this depends on whether you want to fly in the US or europe...they require different training programs, with the european (JAA) being more expensive and difficult. I can say that if you can afford to come to the US and get a student visa, you will be able to do your training and get a green card (work permit) and eventually get a regional airline job in the US...I know a lot of foriegn pilots who work in the US.

My standard advice to anyone who expresses interest in commercial flying is to get a private pilot license and see how much you enjoy it before pursuing a career. I know that may be expensive in Croatia, but you might be able to take a vacation to the US or australia and take some lessons then.

Good Luck

I would say you're biggest hurdle is being able to survive on low wages for an extended time especially if you have a lot of debt and/or a family to support. I was in my mid 30's when I started flying commercially (I worked as an A&P) so it is not impossible.

Did you pop outta your Mommy with a bad attitude? Fists swinging? On the defensive? You and your postings are an absolute disgrace to the profession and the people who aspire to become airline pilots. I know you don't know me, and I hope you never, ever know me, but there are people in this world (like me) who are sick and tired of you miserable jerks making inflammatory, baseless and negative statements about the profession.

We don't need to hear your tale of woe. We have our own violins to play. I'd rather be poor, 59 1/2 years old and flying anything with wings than sitting behind a desk.

I agree 100%!!!

Well said Randy

huby, go for it , this is the only life we have, follow your dreams, read some St.Ex, Ernie Gann, R. Drury, follow your inner compass, you can do it ! Godspeed !

You
 

Well that is you. Others have an active interest in self preservation. It is my belief that aviation requires far more sacrifice than the benefits it provides. The statistics support my position. The odds of one reaching a comfortable position is slim and getting slimmer.

Aviation is not like most other professions. The price of entry is punishingly high and It's seductive nature places the employee in a disadvantaged position. A pilot career has almost no value to employers anymore. It isn't a real profession but has descended into the levels of working hobby.

I see my message as positive. As for myself I miss flying but can not avoid the fact that everyday I am away from it my life gets better. Each day I begin to rediscover old interests that I put aside long ago and have been slowly building a life that an airline career couldn't afford me. Aviation sucks away most of ones resources and opportunities leaving little to live upon. To those out there who are suffering and to those who do not wish to suffer I say to them that there is hope outside of aviation and a better life awaits.

At 59 1/2 I would rather be well positioned for a full and active retirement, and be surrounded by home, friends and family. Flying is great but it isn't nearly worth what it costs.

SkyHigh

SkyHigh,

You are a fool if you think there aren't poor lawyers, doctors, (insert just about every profession here) out in the world. I've listened to plumbers ***** about how poor they are, only to talk to other friends in the business who are quite well off. This is in a very small town! It is a matter of perspective.

NO ONE IS ENTITLED TO PROSPERITY!!! In every profession there are winners and joe/jane average.

We are all happy you are "Happy" not being in aviation anymore. Maybe you'ld be even HAPPIER leaving all the pilot forums as well!! (hint,hint) Get over it!
Get on with life!

FB

poor sky, just shuffle him to your "ignore" list,no need to let him raise your blood pressure, cheers and tailwinds brother

My dear friends, I would like to thank to all of you for your opinions and advices, all that was very valuable for me. Certainly I will change my life in way to find some way to fly, even maybe it is to late for me that one day I can seat in B747 as captain of crew. If fealings in heart are strong, person is never calm and hope never dies. Good luck to all of you, you lucky pilots! I confess, I envy to all of you.

huby

Where in Croatia? I sometimes think it would be cool to move there, get my citizenship, and fly the A-320 around. Or even "island hop" in the ATR!

Entitlement
 

You are correct no one is "entitled to prosperity". There are poor doctors and lawyers ...ect. Often the difference is perspective. I once rented a small home to a young couple who were collectively bring in over 110K per year and thought that they were poor. When they found out that I was an airline pilot their response was "wow you must be rich". I never told them that their landlord earned less than 20K per year.

Often people think that they are not well off due to their expectations. Pilots have a slanted perspective in the opposite direction. Once we finally crest 40K per year we think we are well off.

In the end however the odds of one making it as a prosperous pilot in relation to the amount of effort and sacrifice required to get there is dim at best. Most other failed professions can apply their training and education in other areas. Pilots are near worthless to the outside market.

A plumber can start off as poor and work his way up in the world. A pilot today starts off as middle class and will sink into poverty due to student loan debt and low wages.

SkyHigh

Thanks for the suggestion however I am quite satisfied right here. The impression is that since I go against the grain I must be unhappy. In fact the opposite is true. I am ecstatic in fact, and feel an obligation to tell others. There is a better world out there.

1753 posts?!?!?! sounds like that happy other life you found is hanging out on the internet. you claim to have a life but the evidence is contrary. but you are amusing. cheers mate!

Hobby
 

Writing is a hobby of mine and aviation is one of my favorite topics. I can assure you that with four small sons I am quite busy. At this stage of child development we all are on house arrest. This forum provides a simple outlet.

SkyHigh

Iam in Zagreb

You're Borat, right?

Hey! I resemble that comment!

It took almost 3 pages for a Borat comment?

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Don't get it.
 

I don't get what your point is. To me I was quite clear that my wife and I are very busy and stuck at home raising small children. No nannies here if that is what you are implying.

SkyHigh

The only advice I can offer you is to have realistic expectations. It is the key to being happy in this business in my humble opinion. I was hired at 32, and while I may easily see the left seat in a narrow body aircraft (737, A320), I probably will never see the captain's seat on a 777. But that's ok, I'm more than happy retiring on the right seat of a wide, or depending on the life style, on the left seat of a narrow.

At your age in the US you will definetely see the left seat of an RJ, and possibly the right seat of a narrow; but probably not the left seat. So be realistic and honest with yourself.

Best of luck.

At least he will have something to fall back on!

You only live once, go for it! If you don't make it you can at least say you tried.

I couldnt say better
 

Huby, calcapt got the point
the only limit is you not your age