Regionals at 53?!?
10-01-2019 | 03:40 AM
#24
Banned
Joined: Mar 2019
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Hi Guys,
I did my time as a flight instructor 20 years ago, went through Pinnacle ground school back in '07 before realizing that the place was a disaster and bailing before the checkride, and have spent the last 12 years doing a variety of other things.
I'm fully current now, but still need a few hundred hours before hitting 1500. I'm nearly finished with an RV-14A (should fly before year's end) and will pound out those hours flying around the country in early 2020 after finishing the Phase I test period.
I live in Orlando and am primarily thinking of Republic, SkyWest, and Envoy for short commutes to DFW or IAH. At my age, I realize that I might be better off remaining at the regional level as an increasingly senior CA vs. moving in five or six years to the majors only to be a junior FO for the rest of my career. We'll have to see how the numbers (pay vs. retirement) work out in practice, but I'm fine with staying at the regionals if it works out that way.
Anyway, am I completely nuts for wanting to go to the airlines at my age? Given that I can't afford to just retire, I'd rather fly than find an office job or continue to slog away at online consulting.
Ken
I did my time as a flight instructor 20 years ago, went through Pinnacle ground school back in '07 before realizing that the place was a disaster and bailing before the checkride, and have spent the last 12 years doing a variety of other things.
I'm fully current now, but still need a few hundred hours before hitting 1500. I'm nearly finished with an RV-14A (should fly before year's end) and will pound out those hours flying around the country in early 2020 after finishing the Phase I test period.
I live in Orlando and am primarily thinking of Republic, SkyWest, and Envoy for short commutes to DFW or IAH. At my age, I realize that I might be better off remaining at the regional level as an increasingly senior CA vs. moving in five or six years to the majors only to be a junior FO for the rest of my career. We'll have to see how the numbers (pay vs. retirement) work out in practice, but I'm fine with staying at the regionals if it works out that way.
Anyway, am I completely nuts for wanting to go to the airlines at my age? Given that I can't afford to just retire, I'd rather fly than find an office job or continue to slog away at online consulting.
Ken
10-01-2019 | 05:24 AM
#25
Thread Starter
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Joined: Sep 2019
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Fair question. The short answer is that, having reached a point in life where I can afford to pursue a career switch and not being ready to simply retire, airline flying is the one thing I've always wanted to do and haven't, as yet, done.
Consistent with my philosophy of living with no regrets, I'm determined to make a serious, solid effort at achieving this particular goal rather than letting it permanently slide.
Consistent with my philosophy of living with no regrets, I'm determined to make a serious, solid effort at achieving this particular goal rather than letting it permanently slide.
10-01-2019 | 05:29 AM
#26
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Mar 2019
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Fair question. The short answer is that, having reached a point in life where I can afford to pursue a career switch and not being ready to simply retire, airline flying is the one thing I've always wanted to do and haven't, as yet, done.
Consistent with my philosophy of living with no regrets, I'm determined to make a serious, solid effort at achieving this particular goal rather than letting it permanently slide.
Consistent with my philosophy of living with no regrets, I'm determined to make a serious, solid effort at achieving this particular goal rather than letting it permanently slide.
10-01-2019 | 05:37 AM
#27
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Joined: Sep 2019
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I'm working on the plane more or less full-time at this point. Once it's done, I'll get through the test period in short order and then pound out the hours I need to reach 1500. Can't wait!
I'm looking forward to following your footsteps by springtime.
10-01-2019 | 06:17 AM
#28
Banned
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 229
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Fair question. The short answer is that, having reached a point in life where I can afford to pursue a career switch and not being ready to simply retire, airline flying is the one thing I've always wanted to do and haven't, as yet, done.
Consistent with my philosophy of living with no regrets, I'm determined to make a serious, solid effort at achieving this particular goal rather than letting it permanently slide.
Consistent with my philosophy of living with no regrets, I'm determined to make a serious, solid effort at achieving this particular goal rather than letting it permanently slide.
10-01-2019 | 06:28 AM
#29
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 45,130
Likes: 797
From: Engines Turn or People Swim
You can really fine tune the "mental gymnastics" of IFR ops in a distraction-free environment. That does not replace real flight training in a plane, but it can make flight training go more smoothly and quickly. You can of course accomplish the same thing in the traditional manner, but it will take longer and cost more.
10-01-2019 | 09:02 AM
#30
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Aug 2018
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From: Line holder
I would suggest recent glass time if you’re a steam gauge person. The transition is not insignificant and you don’t want to be learning it in your sims, which presume glass IFR proficiency.
Another challenge I’ve observed in the transition you’re making is the level of automation, which can bewilder those of us whose experience is mainly stick-and-rudder types. Again, not something that’s easy for everyone to pick up in a sim session or two, and falling behind hurts chances of success.
Candidly, I wouldn’t put stock in the “it’s too hard past 50” naysayers. It depends on the person. If you put in the time, focus on the right things, stay positive, and listen, it’s just another airplane. But I’d show up glass-proficient and IFR-sharp. Fly with some airline buddies and ask for their honest feedback, then work hard to improve BEFORE showing up.
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