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View Full Version : Who has to fly after 65?


Foiler
25th Dec 2019, 00:38
Love flying, but unfortunately will not be able to retire. 2 costly divorces. Paying child support until I am 65+. No company retirement. Living on 1 pay check a month. No savings. Was stuck with the X's failed business debt.....yeah. I know a real sob story. Maybe some of you can relate? But I own all my poor choices.
Well I am after some direction and advice.
I am 60. Thousands of hours. Currently Captain on a B787. Paying half my salary in tax.
So after 65 no more Left seat airline jet job. Want to start getting options and prepare now. I understand I can try for Corporate, maybe try for fire fighting.
I am open to anywhere in the world. I am looking forward to doing anything pretty much. I don't have Corporate contacts unfortunately. Are there any countries allowing Captains over 65 in the left seat on a commercial airliner? No EU passport. Current ATPL.
Might have to even consider the Sim instructing. NP.

Thanks for any wisdom you may share.
Foiler

avtur007
26th Dec 2019, 18:56
I fear at your age, pilots are pretty much on the flying scrap heap unless your well connected or have transferable skills. I'd suggest you offload everything (house, mortgages, credit cards, pay off debts etc) and put any money left safely out of reach. Live as cheap as you can for the next years, even in a caravan or bedsit and save, save save. When the forced retirement comes, take the money somewhere cheap like Vietnam, India etc and enjoy a good few years of your life being part of the landscape without worrying. Pick up odds jobs like painting folks homes or handy man stuff and you'll survive just fine. Fortunately it sounds like you have nothing to lose anyway, and you'll be amazed at what you can achieve outside aviation when you need to. Your kids will always be your kids and that's the most important thing. The rest is just noise. Best of luck, but seriously look outside of aviation and things will be brighter.

Banana Joe
26th Dec 2019, 20:57
SFI/E if you like simulator work, otherwise as you said corporate, but you need to start networking now.

Foiler
30th Dec 2019, 04:57
Appreciate those ideas.