Originally Posted by
Uplinker
I am going to be realistic here, so no offence.
To gain an ATPL(A) licence and an appropriate type rating - the minimum required for an airline to even look at you - will cost you around £120,000 these days, I believe. (And no guarantee of passing all the tests).
Even then, you will have no airline experience, no jet, and no heavy aircraft experience.
I am a very experienced pilot, formerly with two large respected airlines that have both gone into liquidation in the last 2 years. I have 11,700 hours, including the Airbus
320/321 and A330 for 13 years, and 18 years’ overall commercial passenger airline experience. I cannot get a job...........
I would spend your £25k on something like glider flying, I really would.
PS, the Boeing 737 is a flying jeep, i.e., cramped and basic. Don’t discount the Airbus, it is a fantastic product.
I've encountered a lot of optimism recently in the industry but I am sorry despite your experience you are having such a rough time of it.
Definitely not discounting any aircraft (and I think judging by your situation one cannot afford to be picky in the slightest?). I guess one cannot be picky about where you live either.
I've gone in for a couple of cadet programs (as I am getting to the top age bracket) and have failed the onboarding stages. They give you no feedback as to why which is frustrating. Cadet programs also tend to cater, if i am right, for those with no previous flying experience.
Thank you for your feedback and I hope your luck improves.