Mike1646

I’ve been working for UPS in the package division for 23 years but I have always wanted to become a pilot. But because things in life it was not possible.
Is it too late to for me to start now? Am I too old to meet all the requirements and try to get a position st UPS?
Any orientation would be appreciated.

whalesurfer

Your questions are difficult to answer without more detailed info.. For example, are you flying somewhere on the side now? ..or are you thinking about starting from scratch? You said you’ve worked for brown for 23 years now so I’m guesstimating you’re in your 40s? Of course it’s not too late but if you’re going to start taking flying lessons now it’ll be quite a while (several years) before you’ll be competitive. Also, there are no guarantees you’ll be hired at brown but maybe elsewhere so you should take that into account. Wish you luck.

767pilot

It's possible in 5 to 10 years but you'll most likely have to quit in order to become qualified, and then come back.

Mike1646

40 to be exact and will be starting from scratch.

Night Rider

I know a guy, like you, who had been working for UPS over 10 yrs in the training Dept doing clerical/administrative type work. He wanted to fly for UPS and was around your age when all this transpired. He was told to get his ratings over at Bowman Field and then go fly for a Regional to build his time. He was also told he’d have to quit UPS and then reapply when he got his qualifications. He took that advice and worked hard to complete the requirements and eventually flew for Comair until the end.

Fast forward about 7-8 yrs later....

UPS wouldn’t give him the time of day when he began reapplying to fly for them. After Comair he eventually began flying a B757 for another company and still can’t get UPS to acknowledge his application. He’s now late 50’s and has given up on UPS.

With 23 yrs in, you’re better off finishing your career in your current position or starting a flying career somewhere else. Don’t count on UPS “rehiring” you after you’ve met their pilot requirements.

Mike1646

That’s one thing I’ve seen at UPS that if you quit, 99% of the time they won’t hire you back. I just think UPS would take it this far.

Night Rider

Thing is, they’re the ones who gave him that advice and made it seem as if it were just a formality and that he’d be hired back as soon as he met the requirements. He’s a good dude, hard working and conscientious. I would’ve hired him back in a heartbeat!

After 30 yrs I’d like to say I’m surprised but I have a “expectation zero” mindset now.

And no, 40 is not too old to start but you don’t have time to waste and don’t put all your eggs in the UPS basket.

Good luck on your journey!

Mike1646

Thanks for all the advise. The sad reality is that that’s the advice you get from UPS and I have seen it countless times.

CactusCrew

I know of a similar recent situation.

Without going into the details, the summary is that after many years with UPS, it is highly unlikely that they will hire someone back who leaves. Even if they recommend "getting airline experience", etc

767pilot

I have to disagree. No guarantees but I can think of a few guys that I've flown with that quit, built their credentials, and came back as line pilots. I'd have to think that I'd you can't get back, someone is blackballing you.

If you want to fly, who cares if it's here or not? You get no credit for past service. Get your qualifications, apply wherever, and be a pilot.