Airline Pilot Central Forums - Too old to start??

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Duksrule (Post 122456)

I am in the same boat as you, just a few years ahead. Check out my thread in the training section "Navy guy w ??s"

I am going for it and if that is what you want to do, then I think you should go for it too. I know a lot of people on here will tell you to run away but if this is what you want, then go for it. There will also be a lot of guys on here that help and point you in the right diretion. A big plus is that when you are a FO somewhere making $20K a year you will have your military retirement to offset it. Good luck.

......jeeeyuh!

It's a longshot, but being around airplanes is the only job I've ever been good at as an adult, and I'm hooked! Been around airplanes almost as long as I've been in the uniform, which equates to 99 percent of my adult life. Funny, a kid from the mean streets of Chicago's south side who grew up afraid of heights can't keep his head out the clouds. I'm 33 years old and I will plan on staying in the Air Force until I reach 1000 TT in addition to 100 MEI for a total of 1100TT, possibly even pick up a type rating somewhere along the way, I'll have a bachelors degree next year, my A&P the year after that. When I get the hours I want, I'll drop my application to the regionals and drop that retirement paperwork, too. The bachelors degree and A&P will open up other avenues while the airlines make their way to my application (along with countless others, I'm sure) and what will I be doing in the meantime? Check the local FBO nearest me...I'll be flying around the flagpole or something along those lines.

For me, it is that serious. It is a passion - an addiction, at times; I can't stay away from airliners.net - but I still have to keep it real. To me it's very important to keep things in perspective and not drink too much of the "Kool-aid", as some of you cats say. keeping it real and keeping it right. Peace.

Long live the Four Fans of Freedom. Peace.

..and sorry about the duplicate posting, folks.

Aviation is going the way of the working enthusiast. People can't afford to simply be a private pilot anymore and fly on the week ends. It seems that if pilots are in for a "penny they are in for a pound". As such the airlines increasingly seem to like retired military and other financially independent types since they come with an outside income. In addition, most have older children and do not have as many home front issues.

I think there is great opportunity for older pilots in the future however I don't think they will relax the college requirement and I don't think you will earn very much or will make it to a major. At best airline wages will make a nice supplement to a military retirement but you couldn't live on it alone.

Don't forget the college. Get a four year degree or your chances will be discounted greatly. It is almost as important as getting the ratings.

PS. I am a 40 year old ex-airline pilot and I wouldn't dream of trying to support my family on regional pilot wages. Currently I am building houses instead.

SkyHigh

Quote:

Originally Posted by rickair7777 (Post 122245)

True that most have to farm out the checkrides to a DPE...however the checkride is STILL a 141 End-of-Course Stage Check, and as such cannot be "failed", only complete or incomplete. The DPE is SUPPOSED to complete 141 paperwork and do the 8710 differently than a 61 ride. Also no pink slip should be issued in the event of an incomplete.

All this info, and instructions on how to fill out the 8710, are in the examiner's handbook. Unfortunately many examiners don't know or bother with the proper procedures for a 141 "failure", and just process it like 61. This is not really fair to the student who jumped through the 141 hoops, and the school should not allow this to happen.

I think you are confusing some things. The school has to have examination authority from the FAA to do it with an approved instructor from the school. Most will have to do the EOC with the school and then have to go to a DPE for the actual checkride, which would be approved or disapproved. A failure is a failure. It does not matter if it is processed by the FAA or a flight school and then notifying the FAA when you pass. 141 records can be looked up. If you try to say on an interview "I technically did not have an FAA failure," you will just look very stupid.