View Full Version : Appealing to all the young pilots out there
RoyBoy20
18th May 2005, 20:07
Hi
I just want to know what life is like for a young pilot (prefrablly 25 and below).
Im about to start an intergrated course at 18yo and Im a bit worried as I don't have enough information about the reality of being a young pilot in the sky!
Are there many of you out there, and just genrally what are the views of the younger pilots?
xabi200
18th May 2005, 20:25
Hi,
By the time you find a job you won't be young anymore......
anthperry
18th May 2005, 20:32
Hi my friend, i can't speak as such as a young pilot, (or can i)? i have just finished my Oz frozen ATPL in Jan, and im now in the midst of converting it to my JAA, which is taking a little while but this was fully expected. I have recently turned 21 (3 weeks ago) so consider myself to have time on my hands as far as recruiting goes.
Im back in employment (albeit not flying) but its paying a good wage and allowing my to do my conversion. Im looking at being done around Dec time, with just my MCC left to do. From there i have a few friends at Logan Air who may be able to help out as far as getting my CV turned into an interview...now to be fair, if my whole career was to sit at the front end of a Saab 340, id be quite happy, ....yes a 400 would be nice, but for me its just about the flying. Anybody with any views on what im doing or tips for that matter please drop me a line.
All i can say is choose your school well, and dont jump into anything without knowing everything about your training ogranisation.
muchos!!!!! Anthperry
Got fATPL at 19, first job at 20. Don't really think there's much difference in the flight deck between me and some of the guys 6yrs older than me.....
Life for a 22yr old is the same as for a 42yr old. Same rosters, same pay conditions.
ABO944
20th May 2005, 09:23
"Don't really think there's much difference in the flight deck between me and some of the guys 6yrs older than me....."
Except for those assets!!!
No_Speed_Restriction
20th May 2005, 10:23
dont forget divorce costs, child support......blah blah blah etc.:E
Kris1978
20th May 2005, 10:42
I am a military pilot, joined at 24.
The UK Navy is very keen to recruit younger men and women, especially 18 year olds. It is not uncommon to have combat ready aircrew by the age of 21.
I left it a few years later and kinda regret it.
Just my opinion!
shortcut_approved
20th May 2005, 12:38
Hi there,
I think it all depends on the culture of the airline you get taken on by. If for example, you're taken on by a company that attracts young staff (from check-in to cabin-crew), you'll fit right in. But with other airlines, the workforce may be ageing a bit. If that's the case, then expect the usual banter about "you're too young to fly" or comments from smart-alec engineers at the end of the day saying "Isn't it past your bed-time?" You'll realise that the time in the air is but a small part of the job, there are so many interactions with other people who may well be jealous or doubt your ability because of your youthful appearance.
But if you can take it all on the chin, then you won't have any problems. For a while, at age 21 last year, I was the youngest pilot in my airline, but I've since been de-throned on that one! I must admit the comments did get a bit tiresome, but hey...I've got a jet aircraft strapped to my back-side....!
Cheers,
Shortcut
Miserlou
20th May 2005, 18:03
Just wondering if you're really sure you want to be a pilot.
Got my commercial at 18. Flew single pilot C310 ops at 19. Flew charter BE-200 F/O at 20, and corporate BE-200 PIC at 21..
Now, (21) several job offers.
V1.
Doesn`t make any difference, you`ll hold the same licence (albeit frozen) as everyone else in the company.
I got on line with my first airline at 19 and i certainly didn`t have any age related problems. However in that company there were a lot of us cadets graduating at the same age so we were fairly common place. When i started long haul at 21 and more so when i moved to a bigger carrier at 25 i started to find myself on the receiving end of several ` you had it too easy` or `i went through the real pilots route ie instructing` comments. It can be a bit awkward on a 4 pilot trip when you`re the youngest by 15 years at least but i wouldn`t lose any sleep over it. You`ve certainly got more important things to worry about at this stage of your career!
Good luck