Older Pilots at Regionals
 

Just wondering if there are any older guys that came back to the regionals here. Thinking of doing a DEC. How does the schedule feel to some of you in your 50’s.

Now I know two people that have done it. It's a grind, especially with DEC infinite juniority and the CA shortage at most regionals.

The only rational end game is to get a LCC or legacy job fast, which should be achievable... I would have said within months, but if the economy really slows might be 2-3 years.

I flew with a handful at PSA that had been in other professions. 1 retired ATC guy. 1 software developer. 1 retired corporate exec who was very wealthy and didn't need to be there by any stretch. Another was 64 and he was a former b of a pilot. No clue why he was there but he was nice and fun on the overnights

How the schedule feels to you probably has less to do with your age than it does other factors. I’m 52 and to me the schedule feels great. I work with some who are half my age and struggle with their schedule, so age isn’t the issue.

This is a second career for me. Five years at PSA. Never married, no kids, active. I bid reserve intentionally, but I live next to the airport (DCA), walk to work and have a ton of cool things to do around here within the two hour callout window. So it’s a great job. It helps, of course, to have a bit of seniority as you can pass on some assignments or take your pick of those that look fun. A DEC will be at a disadvantage there for a couple years, but then again if you have a positive outlook, live healthy, and your life is not fraught with lots of other responsibilities, then it’s a very enjoyable and rewarding lifestyle/job.

Thanks everyone for the comments. I guess my biggest concern is being a commuter and being on junior reserve. I haven’t had to do that in about 10 years.
I’m thinking about doing it for a couple of years then re-retiring.

Would definitely research which airline you are applying to. Commuting makes many people miserable. Also as a DEC at my airline expect reserve for 3-4 years. If you have been out of the game commuting is getting much harder with fewer flights and full planes from small outstations.

I am north of 50 but live in base and that improves QOL vastly here. 2nd career. Started 4 years+ ago.

Just get a nice little apartment nearby the airport, make the best of it. You can easily pick-up some premium open time to pay the rent.

I d get a place for sure and an airport car. You're basically semi moving to a base. But I d buy a small house. Turn it into a rental with a local property management co after re retiring.

Yeah you'll want a place of your own, whether it's rent or own, to be DEC commuter. Age 50+ I'd have no interest in a crashpad.

I've been to two airlines so far, and the ones who don't make it in the end tend to be the older group. I guess thier mind is just not as sharp as what it used to be when they were younger.