JGonzalez1305

Just wondering if any of you can help. I am currently 19 (21 in '08) with about 800/170 and seem to have a hard time finding a regional that doesnt have that "Minimum Age 21" requirement. Colgan, and Great Lakes seem to be the only thing that doesnt have that requirement, and Commut when I reach 900. Colgan is my first choice but I haven't heard from them. But Anyhow, can any of you give me any insight to what I should do. I dont have my CFI's, mainly because I dont have the complete patience to deal with people who want to learn to fly but have no interest in learning.

These are the 2 options I can think of...

1. Keep applying to those airlines

2. Get my CFI's and when I turn 21 apply for a regional.

Thanks in advance for your help!

btwissel

keep flying till you reach 21, and keep sending in resumes. see if you can get on with a 135 operator, and gain experience there.

saab2000

Go to college. Keep instructing and getting PIC time and get your college degree in something other than aviation.

POPA

He can't KEEP instructing if he hasn't STARTED instructing.

I'm just curious how a 19-year-old got all that time without instructing...

freezingflyboy

Besides your age problem, it might be an attitude problem. What makes you think that as a CFI you will only deal with people who don't want to learn? The reason airlines like to hire CFIs is because they probably have to ability to deal with and relate to people with varying levels of experience and expertise.

Heres another thought: the reason many airlines have minimum age requirements is because they want a certain level of maturity. On top of that, unless you have previous experience as a "professional aviator" most airlines are going to be wary about investing time and money in you before you have proven your ability as a professional. Yes, there are exceptions to this rule but they are just that, exceptions. To sum up, my advice would be to shelve your attitude, get your CFI ratings, teach, scare yourself a few times, learn a few things about what it means to be a professional, have some fun and THEN start thinking about the airlines. Besides, a 19 year old kid wouldn't be that much fun on the overnights anyway unless you're in Canada

PS
4 years in the right seat at Colgan or Great Mistakes would blow giant donkey balls.

rytheflyguy

Get your CFI now.

Enroll in college for January 2007 in something other than aviation. I recommend finance if you can stomach it. Go to a state or community college and do not accumulate debt.

Have fun at college. Meet girls. Go to parties. Don't do anything dumb that will follow you around such as a public intox charge.

Use the CFI to instruct enough to stay current without spending money.

Finish the four year degree. You'll want it for a major and may need it to fall back on in bad aviation times.

cloudkicker1981

Dude i would buy you some beer at the crashpad if you have a hot sister that comes over! If you really want to join the rest of us clowns at colgan PM me i can probably give you a hand. Being a CFI can't hurt either but why do it if you dont have to, don't listen to people who say it will make you a better pilot. In any case you will be looking at sometime before you upgrade and i am starting to believe most major's want guys in there 30's or older. I say come over to the circus, make some cash, work on a degree, and party your ass off!!!!!!!!!!

saab2000

What he said.

JGonzalez1305

I don't have an attitude problem. People actually say I am more mature for my age. The reason I said that was from personal experience and what I've seen at the flight school. If a person wants to learn how to fly and is really serious about it, then yes, I would strive to teach them no matter what it takes. But at the flight school I'm at, there are a lot of people who just have a lot of money and don't know what to do with it. They show up once a week, don't study and just waste both money and the instructors time.

JGonzalez1305

Had a lot of instructors who knew people who owned airplanes. Besides that, my God Father is a United 67 Captain who ownes a 172 and a BE-76 that I fly whenever I want, as long as I pay for fuel.

I was told when learning how to fly that "PIC non instructing" time looks better than a lot of "dual given" time. Now listening to what everybody is saying, it looks like this statement might be false.