LAfreqfly

What do you do in the Air Force? Im an AD 2Lt in SC. Weather Officer with the 28 Operational Weather Squadron...

 

How much money do you need to get done? No, I'm not offering you any. I'm a poor canyon driver. People spend $ 30,000 all the time. They go and buy new cars and crap like that. My point is your old enough you can't take any more time deceiding if this is what you want or not. Your 36, that means you still have 24 years to fly for a airline. Yes, you'll be poor for a amount of time. People like Skyhigh are right, 36 is old to start flying. Do what you want. Get done flying, by a home in the mid west for $100,000 have a few sheep and chickens and enjoy life.

 

Skyhigh - good luck on your dream!!!


33S - communications officer...Weather is a cool career field- if i was you i'd stay to retire then work for the airlines running their weather services / teaching in their training department...


-LA

 

I am in the National Guard. I have 3 years of active duty time. If I went back active, I would have to do 15 years which would put me at 52. It has crossed my mind, but I am an Infantry Officer. I dont want to do Infantry on active duty. I dont eventhink I can just go active as an officer. They have to have a call to active duty for Lieutenants which they dont have at the present time. Thats a back up plan.

I know plenty of people in their 40's that started flying for a regional airline. Like I said, my mind isnt just set on airlines. Teaching aviation in college is an option. Just looking for opinions

I am a commercial pilot with 450 hours. All I need is my mutli engine and CFI and I will be set. I have the money so thats no issue.

 

You can listen to the "Advice" on the World Wide Web, or follow your heart. I made a career change at 33 yrs old and I'm glad I did. I will never be a Major Widebody Captain, but I'm content with my choice. Good luck to the younger guys, time was not on my side. My early twenties (1980's) was a sad time for aviation. Ten years to start the hiring boom that I was swept up in. I promise you, that if you follow your heart, you will not kick yourself in the arse when you retire. Only people who don't try what they really want, will kick themselves. Good Luck.

 

N6724G

I don't know what else in life you value, but if having a family someday and a secure financial future are things of importance to you then starting an aviation career over a secure police job is just plain irresponsible. As adults we all must make some difficult choices to preserve higher goals and needs. I myself at 36 had to make the difficult choice to leave aviation after almost 16years as a professional pilot.

Perhaps you are financially independent? There are variables that can change the scenario but if you are an average dude who is feeling the pressure of father time then I would have to say that at 36 your options are closing in on you. I would stick with the sure thing and fly on the side. It is no fun to be deeply in debt and poor, but to do it in your 40's is pure misery.

Don't get sucked in by that sappy talk. There is a price for every choice in life and at your age it would be brutal.

SkyHigh

 

33S - communications officer...Weather is a cool career field- if i was you i'd stay to retire then work for the airlines running their weather services / teaching in their training department...


-LA[/QUOTE]

Ive thought about it but, like this thread says(yes Skyhigh, I know but..) I want to follow my heart and go into flying. Its all Ive ever wanted to do, I couldnt do it in the AF so Im gonna have to do it on my own. I haven't ruled out getting into weather associated with the airlines. Not sure how to go about doing that.

 

If its really what you want and you can live with being poor for a long time, give it a shot. The majors are probably out for you, but there are freighters. 135 operators, and corporate jobs also. Just remember the part about being poor that's guaranteed.

 

N6724G going to the regionals is a dead end job if you are trying to go to the majors. Regional flying is not what it used to be, now they fly fast and modern planes and the get nice "Major" style schedules, so some pilots don't see the need to go to the majors just so they could make an extra 20 grand and go back to being a F/O agian with odd hour flying. This means that pilots are not going out of the regional airline fast enough which means that you will be there longer maybe 5 to 10 years. An alternate is flying turbo prop, faster upgrade to captain but horrible quality of life.

You should try corporate flying. They make plenty of money and you will have faster upgrade times. Your not that old and will have a good 20 years of commercial flying left before age 60. Keep an open mind, there are so many options for Pilots in the industry. You might even find yourself flying the 747 in a few years out of Hong Kong for Polar Air! Good luck.

 

You are not too old

Very simply dont let anyone tell you different. Im not going to go into details...but you are not too old.

I am not going to get in or stay away from flying...that decision is yours to make. You must understand everyone around here and any other board for that matter has had vastly different experiences with flying...therefore everyone is going to have different thoughts on the matter. Who knows what experiences you may have. I will tell you these two things I know to be true though...

You will never enjoy anything like flying for a living if you truly have a passion for it. Since I have started flying professionally (once I graduated from college 4 years ago) I seriously feel like I havent worked a day yet...and I work many 12+ hour days. However...

Be prepared for the negatives because they do exist and they are prominent...they also exist for the majority of flying jobs sadly. First, you are most likely going to be away from home ALOT. Doesnt seem like a huge deal at first...but trust me... Second, you are going to take it in the shorts financially. I never truly followed the history of pilot pay but I can tell you right now that for the majority of us the money isnt there. Its very difficult to watch our friends who have 9-5 jobs buying houses...etc. Sure you will feel great about the fact that you fly for a living...but at some point you may have a different view of whats really important. Lastly...the notion of "job security" doesnt exist. You could lose everything overnight...you could lose a large percentage of your pay overnight...and now your only option is to get on with another gig and move somewhere else...again. Think of all the guys at NWA, Delta, United, TWA, USAir, Comair, Mesaba, etc. who thought they had it made. Yes there are many examples of airlines that tanked...and some airlines who are doing awesome right now.


Now that I go back and read this post it does sound like I am trying to convince you to stay away lol. The fact is that I have been entertaining the notion of leaving the industry myself. Im afraid I am going to end up 45 and at a carrier that is tanking and I have no retirement, no job, and no experience in any other field...ie nowhere else to go.

Regardless...the major point I want to get across is MAKE SURE TO GET EDUCATED BEFORE MAKING A DECISION. Dont make any moves until you are fairly certain you know what you are getting into. You certainly dont want any surprises in this industry. Look outside this board for info...talk to local pilots etc.

Good luck. Flying is both the best and worst career out there...it all depends on perspective, priorities and sadly - luck.