Advice for a new ppruner

[206_Man]

Hello Everyone, wanting some advice from your collective experience. I am 30 years old, have approx. 800 hours, M/E -IFR with a few renewals, and also have a separate tertiary qualifications not in the aviation field.

My question is being my age, is it still a realistic idea to think the airlines (Regional or Major) will look at me, saying I maybe 33-35 before I have suitable airline hours.

Any advice welcomed, especially from any of you who have been in this situation.

Thanks

[Woomera]

The only thing gauranteed in life is death.

You have set your path, you are not too young, just do it.

Do or do not, there is no try! (Yoda)

[206_Man]

Thanks woomera for the response.

[flipside]

206-Man
Industry is full of very experienced unemployed pilots at the moment. But it is of my opinion that eventyally things will get back to where they were a few years ago, therefore 30+ is definately not to old for a regional, and as for the other just depends on supply and demand they seem to generally take the younger guy if two candidates have the same experience.

If it is still fun and you feel your getting paid enough hang in there

[206_Man]

Hey Flipside

Thanks for your comments. It is a good to hear some positive comments. I was getting the feeling because of my age / hours and the unfortunate happenings with Ansett that the chance of ever getting into a Regional was gone. Thanks once again.

[32bits]

206_Man,

Merely idle curiosity, but what are your other tertiary qualifications?

Cheers

[mmmbop]

206_man,

Don't despair - rumour has it (I can't confirm it personally maybe someone else can) that QF selected a 30+ pilot on their Cadet Scheme this year. If true, that must destroy some of the rubbish written on here about who gets onto the scheme!!

So I guess that puts you in good stead for Direct entry with QF at least. Frankly, I believe that (regardless of what people say on this site), if you've got the goods then you will get into an airline - be it regional, major or foreign. (Unfortunately what most "QF hackers" don't realise is simply, that they aren't as good as what they think they are - there is always somebody better.)

206, if you have what any particular airline is looking for you'll get in - your age isn't going to (and legally can't) come into it. In fact, it may well put you ahead of the pack.

Regards
M

[206_Man]

mmmbop, thanks for your positive words in your post, appreciated.


32bits, my other qualifications are in information technology.

Cheers

[OzExpat]

OMG...! Ya mean to tell me that there's more money in a civil flying career than in I.T. ...? I was in I.T. years ago, for the fun of it and soon discovered that I'd made lotsa money from it. Hot on the heels of this flash of inspiration was the reality check ... never any free time to spend any of that money...

So I got back into aviation, which solved the problem elegantly! Now I'm not earning as much, so can't afford to spend it...

[Jimmy Pop]

Hey mmmbop,

31 actually!

[Hugh Jarse]

206-Man.

The company I work for has been recruiting fairly strongly for over a year.

During that time I have seen candidates of all ages pass through the process, and be taken on. The oldest I think was early 50's.

It's illegal and immoral to discriminate against age. The trouble is proving it if you do miss out.

Providing you meet the minimum experience criteria and do well in the sim ride and interview (and stand out from the other candidates), there is no reason why you would not be successful.

Good luck.

[Capt Claret]

206 Man,

I'd agree with most of the above. Got my first regional job at 33 yrs & ~ 2200 hrs. Started with my current employer @ 38 yrs & ~ 4500 hrs.

The only way to get it is not to give up!