To start for a pilot at 36? does it make sense?
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@RAJ
I'm also well in the 30s, and I did quit my well payed job to make my dream reality. Have chosen an integrated course and I think it is quite good to have a daily class with the pressure from the instructor. On the other hand I need to deal with a crowd of younger folks (some just turned 18), but this keeps my brain competing
I found many of the replies honest and helpful. Let's go ahead ..no worries about the (our) age
I'm also well in the 30s, and I did quit my well payed job to make my dream reality. Have chosen an integrated course and I think it is quite good to have a daily class with the pressure from the instructor. On the other hand I need to deal with a crowd of younger folks (some just turned 18), but this keeps my brain competing
I found many of the replies honest and helpful. Let's go ahead ..no worries about the (our) age
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There are many on this forum that have been dragged through the mud in order to achieve the covetted position of that airline career or in fact any flight deck career. However as Brainstorm has previously mentioned there's a story to tell but why hold back. We all know that especially within aviation we learn alot from each other's experiences. The job hunt is perhaps no different and after all don't we all enjoy a good type rating diary or "my first 50 hours", "diary of an IR student", etc..... Come on chaps and chapesses 
spill the beans. The flight training syllabus is preset and we all follow the same path but like any scheme of graduation within society "where do they go", "what happened to them", this would be an equally interesting story.
To learn from the mistakes or oversights of others is compelling to say the least. It's certainly not a competition between who made the most sacrifices or just 'walked it' as we all have different circumstances. Nevertheless it would be great to hear in a supportive and mutually respectful way of how wannabes got a foot onto the ladder.
As always good luck to all and keep up that smile and spirit!
spill the beans. The flight training syllabus is preset and we all follow the same path but like any scheme of graduation within society "where do they go", "what happened to them", this would be an equally interesting story. To learn from the mistakes or oversights of others is compelling to say the least. It's certainly not a competition between who made the most sacrifices or just 'walked it' as we all have different circumstances. Nevertheless it would be great to hear in a supportive and mutually respectful way of how wannabes got a foot onto the ladder.
As always good luck to all and keep up that smile and spirit!
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Got my first job flying 737-300's at 36. Guy behind me on my ATPL groundschool was in early 50's and a retired coal miner. He now flies 757 freight.
It's your gamble and the odd's are yourself.
It's your gamble and the odd's are yourself.
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wht should age matter
I still am not clear as to why an airline would not want to hire someone who is starting out in their 40s. Which option is more logical when hiring for a first officer: a 21 year old hotshot high on testosterone, or a more mature calm 40 year old person. If you were a cab company hiring cabbies I would think that you would prefer older people than someone in their 20s. If a 40 year old has the same qualification, flight hours and license as a 20 year old, then why the discrimination. I am sure that Airlines have some reasons to avoid older candidates who are starting out, but I cant figure out what they may be.
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There is actually a significant advantage to starting this career when slightly older: you probably have some former education or career to fall back on if needed.
As we all know, aviation is not always the most stable place to be, and I am very happy to know that I won't have to sell my house if my airline goes bust, or if I can't fly for some reason. I think the way it (accidentally) worked out was quite good, because now I have options.
Although we sometimes forget it in these forums, there is more to life than just flying airplanes!
As we all know, aviation is not always the most stable place to be, and I am very happy to know that I won't have to sell my house if my airline goes bust, or if I can't fly for some reason. I think the way it (accidentally) worked out was quite good, because now I have options.
Although we sometimes forget it in these forums, there is more to life than just flying airplanes!
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age concern
Hi,
I decided on a career change at 45 !! although I had previously done some flying in the Army Air Corps, although that was 20 odd years ago!!
So I took redundancy from a well know corporate telecomms company and embarked on doing my ATPL's... and starting a business to help fund it all.
(I had been flying as a PPL for 2 years) and yes I found it tough going, its harder to learn the older you get, but got through those and then went and did CPL/IR and MCC etc, got first time passes, and being very lucky and jammy got a job after 3 months, flying as a single Pilot IFR doing Aerial survey work (had also been offered an interview with Ryanair)..didnt go though!!
However I did not enjoy the work, as it wasnt type of flying that I wanted to do really. So I am now about to embark on a type rating for the ATR (have to be realistic about my age...now 48!!) and think I will stand more chance on Turbo props than big shiny jets!!...but as they say nothing is guaranteed, but yes I firmly believe that if you want something bad enough then go get it and dont give up!!.. I have had hundreds of no thanks letters etc...but will still keep trying as I believe I have still got something to offer?.
So go for it...will be hard but worth it it if you want it that badly...good luck.
Dougy
I decided on a career change at 45 !! although I had previously done some flying in the Army Air Corps, although that was 20 odd years ago!!
So I took redundancy from a well know corporate telecomms company and embarked on doing my ATPL's... and starting a business to help fund it all.
(I had been flying as a PPL for 2 years) and yes I found it tough going, its harder to learn the older you get, but got through those and then went and did CPL/IR and MCC etc, got first time passes, and being very lucky and jammy got a job after 3 months, flying as a single Pilot IFR doing Aerial survey work (had also been offered an interview with Ryanair)..didnt go though!!
However I did not enjoy the work, as it wasnt type of flying that I wanted to do really. So I am now about to embark on a type rating for the ATR (have to be realistic about my age...now 48!!) and think I will stand more chance on Turbo props than big shiny jets!!...but as they say nothing is guaranteed, but yes I firmly believe that if you want something bad enough then go get it and dont give up!!.. I have had hundreds of no thanks letters etc...but will still keep trying as I believe I have still got something to offer?.
So go for it...will be hard but worth it it if you want it that badly...good luck.
Dougy
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Wow, i am so glad i found this thread.
At 33 this year, self employed etc similar to Raj, i've read all this with great interest.
I understand that if i start this year with my ATPL, then cpl and MEIR i may finish training inside of 2 years.
My main question would be is it most difficult to find jobs in the london area? and i'll do anything, props, cargo, air taxi anything!!!
Advice to Raj would be, if you can keep your business then do! and train and earn! if your family support you then do it all the more!
At 33 this year, self employed etc similar to Raj, i've read all this with great interest.
I understand that if i start this year with my ATPL, then cpl and MEIR i may finish training inside of 2 years.
My main question would be is it most difficult to find jobs in the london area? and i'll do anything, props, cargo, air taxi anything!!!
Advice to Raj would be, if you can keep your business then do! and train and earn! if your family support you then do it all the more!
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I know plenty of people who have come into the industry at 35+. For a lot of people it takes that long to get the cash together to make the move in the first place.
How you adapt will depend on your personality. I think a lot of employers will appreciate the maturity that (relatively) older people bring to the cockpit - it's certainly the case that often the colleagues who moan loudest are the ones who started early, have known nothing else and are bored and burnt out before they are out of their 30s.
On the downside, be ready to bite your tongue. Once you get your first job you will be judged by the uniform you wear and this will, inevitably have as few as two stripes for a while. Some people cope better than others. My advice, get used to the fact that you are essentially invisible until you get a command or at least have been in your company for a few years. If you can accept this you will earn heaps of money in return for just turning up to work!
It's also worth mentioning that you may find that, depending where you get your first job, you could be flying with a much younger captain. Even if you behave impeccably, there are a few out there who will have a problem with this. I flew right seat until I was 40 (a slow learner I'm afraid!) and have had a couple of less than pleasant days at work with younger guys (and girls) - although that's a few days out of hundreds.
Don't let any of this put you off though, just go into it with your eyes open and you'll be fine.
Good luck.
KT
How you adapt will depend on your personality. I think a lot of employers will appreciate the maturity that (relatively) older people bring to the cockpit - it's certainly the case that often the colleagues who moan loudest are the ones who started early, have known nothing else and are bored and burnt out before they are out of their 30s.
On the downside, be ready to bite your tongue. Once you get your first job you will be judged by the uniform you wear and this will, inevitably have as few as two stripes for a while. Some people cope better than others. My advice, get used to the fact that you are essentially invisible until you get a command or at least have been in your company for a few years. If you can accept this you will earn heaps of money in return for just turning up to work!
It's also worth mentioning that you may find that, depending where you get your first job, you could be flying with a much younger captain. Even if you behave impeccably, there are a few out there who will have a problem with this. I flew right seat until I was 40 (a slow learner I'm afraid!) and have had a couple of less than pleasant days at work with younger guys (and girls) - although that's a few days out of hundreds.
Don't let any of this put you off though, just go into it with your eyes open and you'll be fine.
Good luck.
KT
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Lifestyle
Lifestyle
Lifestyle
Are the three most important things to remember about this career.
For a 19 year-old out of school the money is fantastic, probably unbeatable in any other career. For someone if their 30's, the money is not good if you have a home, family and other overheads.
You drop down all those career rungs you've climbed in your previous profession. It's a bit of a shock, and Knee Trembler has it spot on. You may have managed budgets of $100m previously, and ran a department of 500 people, but you've only got two stripes, so you don't know anything in the eyes of management. I have to bite my tongue quite a bit, but you get used to it; but it is very frustrating.
More than likely, you will have to move for a job, or as most do, commute and flat-share/B&B. It takes it toll, and not only from a financial point of view. Getting a job near where you live becomes very important, as are the number of days off in a row and the amount of times you are subject to minimum rest. If your airline get these wrong, or doesn't care about them, then being an airline pilot is a miserable way to earn a living. As you get older, you care about these things much more.
The lifestyle you lead is over-riding to the equipment you fly, IMHO.
Lifestyle
Lifestyle
Are the three most important things to remember about this career.
For a 19 year-old out of school the money is fantastic, probably unbeatable in any other career. For someone if their 30's, the money is not good if you have a home, family and other overheads.
You drop down all those career rungs you've climbed in your previous profession. It's a bit of a shock, and Knee Trembler has it spot on. You may have managed budgets of $100m previously, and ran a department of 500 people, but you've only got two stripes, so you don't know anything in the eyes of management. I have to bite my tongue quite a bit, but you get used to it; but it is very frustrating.
More than likely, you will have to move for a job, or as most do, commute and flat-share/B&B. It takes it toll, and not only from a financial point of view. Getting a job near where you live becomes very important, as are the number of days off in a row and the amount of times you are subject to minimum rest. If your airline get these wrong, or doesn't care about them, then being an airline pilot is a miserable way to earn a living. As you get older, you care about these things much more.
The lifestyle you lead is over-riding to the equipment you fly, IMHO.
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Age discrimination
I should have stuck to stripping, cos the money was better.
Anyway, people are not into speedo's anymore so the career opportunities are limited. I feel a little teary every time i pass some kind of metal pole
Flying and stripping, two of the hardest professions to find work in.
Anyway, people are not into speedo's anymore so the career opportunities are limited. I feel a little teary every time i pass some kind of metal pole
Flying and stripping, two of the hardest professions to find work in.
