How can a B777 first officer be so young?
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Number 1, it's not that unusual to see young pilots (less than 30 y/o) flying the heavy jets; Being in the right place at the right time, hard work, luck, or simply knowing the right people.
Number 2: Some guys in their mid-thirties can actually look much younger: luck, looking after themselves, or simply knowing the right people - (hair transplant specialists
lol. I only found this out as I have a habit of pulling hair during....
Number 2: Some guys in their mid-thirties can actually look much younger: luck, looking after themselves, or simply knowing the right people - (hair transplant specialists
lol. I only found this out as I have a habit of pulling hair during....
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My view on it all has changed a bit. Offcorse the most common way is to go the small way which means you go on the small plane and slowly work your way up from a 737 or a regioanl plane.
But maybe some airlines hire pilots as relief pilots on the 747s etc? This means that they go from relief to captain on the 747 and doesnīt have to type rate again etc.
Have a look at these lads from KLM.
APP 264 Meet the Flight Crew
But maybe some airlines hire pilots as relief pilots on the 747s etc? This means that they go from relief to captain on the 747 and doesnīt have to type rate again etc.
Have a look at these lads from KLM.
APP 264 Meet the Flight Crew
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not me
For some reason, young pilots don't surprise me. It seems like America is the only country were you gotta be 21+ to be an airline pilot of any sort.
The only time I wish I was from another country is for my flight training which i have no money for anymore (Embry-Riddle drained the banks with sucky half trained uninformed instructor).
I need to figure out a way to get dual citizenship so I can get into a cadet program. God knows I have what it takes. oh well
___________________________
fabbe92
I envy every soul on that page. Especially the KLM peeps.
The only time I wish I was from another country is for my flight training which i have no money for anymore (Embry-Riddle drained the banks with sucky half trained uninformed instructor).
I need to figure out a way to get dual citizenship so I can get into a cadet program. God knows I have what it takes. oh well
___________________________
fabbe92
I envy every soul on that page. Especially the KLM peeps.
Last edited by captain_overspeed; 11th Feb 2009 at 04:18.
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Age and type aircraft flown...
The age at which you will fly a certain type of aircraft depends on many factors. If you get hired as pilot with a regional carrier, do not expect to become a 777 F/O at age 26... unless they start operating that type between Gatwick and Birmingham. But you might definitely be a CRJ captain at that age. Most airlines give promotions by seniority (being date of hire).
xxx
I had a friend joining KLM right around 1970, his initial position was DC-9 F/O, but he hated short haul flights, and eventually got promoted to DC-10 F/O about 1 or 2 years later... his age was about 25, and that was a "heavy" and "long haul airplane" as "age" seems to impress many here. He then became DC-10 captain, about 1980, and when KLM got MD-11s, he went on that type. No need to say how highly experienced he was on DC-10/MD-11 types, finally as a TRE-TRI.
xxx
I flew a 6 month contract with Cargolux in the early 1990s, 747-200. I recall having a few F/Os who were maybe as young as say age 23 or 24 flying a "long haul 747" at their age. As impressive as a 777 at age 26... To my opinion, the "size" of an aircraft does not matter. It does not take much more muscles to handle a 747, than piloting a CRJ. And as far as I am concerned, the 747 is much more stable to handle...
xxx
Yes, in USA, still takes years to fly long haul aircraft, as pilots have a salary index based on aircraft gross weight. Do not forget, for the FAA/ATPL you need to be 23 of age, and the large airlines, AA, DL, UA prefer candidates with a college degree. That brings minimum ages up.
xxx
The Pprune culture is the teen "I want to be a 380 captain" generation. As your voices are so loud, learn instead, to listen to old farts and their recommendations. We want you kids to acquire maturity and education first to be airline pilots, not kids crying for a new toy. I was quite succesful as an airline pilot instructor, but change diapers was not in my job description.
xxx
Happy contrails
xxx
I had a friend joining KLM right around 1970, his initial position was DC-9 F/O, but he hated short haul flights, and eventually got promoted to DC-10 F/O about 1 or 2 years later... his age was about 25, and that was a "heavy" and "long haul airplane" as "age" seems to impress many here. He then became DC-10 captain, about 1980, and when KLM got MD-11s, he went on that type. No need to say how highly experienced he was on DC-10/MD-11 types, finally as a TRE-TRI.
xxx
I flew a 6 month contract with Cargolux in the early 1990s, 747-200. I recall having a few F/Os who were maybe as young as say age 23 or 24 flying a "long haul 747" at their age. As impressive as a 777 at age 26... To my opinion, the "size" of an aircraft does not matter. It does not take much more muscles to handle a 747, than piloting a CRJ. And as far as I am concerned, the 747 is much more stable to handle...
xxx
Yes, in USA, still takes years to fly long haul aircraft, as pilots have a salary index based on aircraft gross weight. Do not forget, for the FAA/ATPL you need to be 23 of age, and the large airlines, AA, DL, UA prefer candidates with a college degree. That brings minimum ages up.
xxx
The Pprune culture is the teen "I want to be a 380 captain" generation. As your voices are so loud, learn instead, to listen to old farts and their recommendations. We want you kids to acquire maturity and education first to be airline pilots, not kids crying for a new toy. I was quite succesful as an airline pilot instructor, but change diapers was not in my job description.
xxx
Happy contrails
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No surprises above-truth , I became a FO on the L1011 at the age of 24 and at 27 on the B747-400. On the L1011 I had a friend of mine who became a capt at a age of 27/8 and 3 year later capt on B747-300. We had a lot of funny looks from the paxīs and ground crew if we were flying together. Is just the way they say: beeing on the right place on the right time. And I tell you that the concept age vs airplane only works in the US, and to be quite honest with you, i think is wrong.
Happy landings
Happy landings
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There was a 19 year old First Officer at Air Madrid on the A340..... was he young enough???? Just remember the way people entered that company and you will understand many things ..... 
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It canīt be fun. Of corse you are the king of the world if you are a pilot on the 747 at the age of 21. But to me it sounds like you miss something. I would rather get the experience of the smaller planes and work my way up. Its nice to be 65 and have flewn everything from the c172 to the 747 I think. So if KLM called me tomorrow and said that I could start on the 737 or the 747. I would take the 737.
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Really? Nah. Serious? Come of it!
Surely you would choose the 747.
Then again you could be right. If I were offered RHS SIA A340-500 doing the 18 hour 30 min trip to LA, I'd probably turn it down for something short haul.
Surely you would choose the 747.
Then again you could be right. If I were offered RHS SIA A340-500 doing the 18 hour 30 min trip to LA, I'd probably turn it down for something short haul.
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Most of the guys from AP264 who are flying long haul are relief pilots and are not operating the aircraft, think they don't have a type rating either. They are there to extend the duty hours of the FO and Capt cheaply.
Nick
Nick
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Yes that is true. I belive Emirates hired fresh pilots to do this as well. Of course you get to fly to exotic destinations and get layovers for a day or so so you get to travel. You earn well and you donīt do much. You spend your time sleeping or whatching IFE etc. But it isnīt fun!
How fun is it to just sit in the cockpit of the 747 at cruise level and talk to atc and keeping hold on figures? Of course that is fun when you get to fly all the way but these pilots never get to fly the plane manually. The donīt know how its like to fly her allmoast.
So I would prefer to fly the 737 and get to take her up and land her 3-6 times a day.
How fun is it to just sit in the cockpit of the 747 at cruise level and talk to atc and keeping hold on figures? Of course that is fun when you get to fly all the way but these pilots never get to fly the plane manually. The donīt know how its like to fly her allmoast.
So I would prefer to fly the 737 and get to take her up and land her 3-6 times a day.
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I don't think you quite understand the role of a Cruise relief pilot.
Im pretty sure they are paid less as thats the whole point of having a non-type rated crew member, so they can increase the profit margins.
They will undoubtedly only occupy the FO seat for a few hours during the cruise. Not exactly flying the aircraft is it!?
They will have to keep their licences and ratings valid, not sure whether its at their own cost or offered by the company?
Nick
Im pretty sure they are paid less as thats the whole point of having a non-type rated crew member, so they can increase the profit margins.
They will undoubtedly only occupy the FO seat for a few hours during the cruise. Not exactly flying the aircraft is it!?
They will have to keep their licences and ratings valid, not sure whether its at their own cost or offered by the company?
Nick
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To Be Honest i dont see what all the fuss is about.
I am 16 and would love to be sitting in the left hand seat of a 777 in 10 years time. I think we shouldnt judge the pilots by the age but by the flying ability. If they can get 300 PAX from A to B without causing havoc than that means that they are good at their job.
Pilots should be judge by the way they fly and not their age.
I am 16 and would love to be sitting in the left hand seat of a 777 in 10 years time. I think we shouldnt judge the pilots by the age but by the flying ability. If they can get 300 PAX from A to B without causing havoc than that means that they are good at their job.
Pilots should be judge by the way they fly and not their age.
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nick 14 canīt you read english? Okay we disagree about the pay. They probably earn less like you say. But all the things you just explained to me, I allready said in my post!!!!
Read man!
Read man!
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Fabbe, "pilots never get to fly the plane manually" I do not agree with that.
First of all, they do fly the a/c manually, obviously not as a pilot would in a C152 of course, but they do.
Some people work there because they want to be in the air, they feel free there, they like working with other people.. it's never the same, even though sometimes it seems like it. Ohhh, that's words of an easyjet pilot
Fabbe, you want to go for airlines, yeah?
I did a terrible mistake before, 'blabd' about myself on the forum and made so many 'enemies', what i learned is that you need to take others opinions into count is well, get advice from older pilots who have way more hours logged in their logbook than you, listen, learn, listen and learn. Take the advice! It's really helpful!
What I did just last week, was a list of reasons for and against working in airlines. At some point in my life I do want to go for airlines, yes, but not really as soon as I finish my training. I want to try different things, meet new people, visit places.. and what's more important.. HAVE FUN!
You're young, I'm actually not that much older than yourself, don't plan your career for the next 10 years, do worry about what's going to happen in the next few months.. not the next few years. Take time in your training, enjoy it, have fun!
I've just had my first lesson on sunday! The most amazing feeling in the world!
Enjoy your life, we're still young, don't try to rush your training and become airlines youngest FO. There are hundreds of different things you can try in General aviation, try them, give eveything a go, and then when you've been though it all, start loooking at the airlines, that's going to be fun too! but personally I love the loud Cessnas even though I actually fly on a PA-28.
Good luck!
Vems.
EDIT, I just wanted to add..
Calm down with your attitude.. people can recognise you very easily here, plus I think that they would prefer to talk to someone young and mature, than a 16 year old who doesn't have a clear idea of flying but plans his future for the next ho ho ho.. years. They're not going to take you seriously.
First of all, they do fly the a/c manually, obviously not as a pilot would in a C152 of course, but they do.
Some people work there because they want to be in the air, they feel free there, they like working with other people.. it's never the same, even though sometimes it seems like it. Ohhh, that's words of an easyjet pilot
Fabbe, you want to go for airlines, yeah?
I did a terrible mistake before, 'blabd' about myself on the forum and made so many 'enemies', what i learned is that you need to take others opinions into count is well, get advice from older pilots who have way more hours logged in their logbook than you, listen, learn, listen and learn. Take the advice! It's really helpful!
What I did just last week, was a list of reasons for and against working in airlines. At some point in my life I do want to go for airlines, yes, but not really as soon as I finish my training. I want to try different things, meet new people, visit places.. and what's more important.. HAVE FUN!
You're young, I'm actually not that much older than yourself, don't plan your career for the next 10 years, do worry about what's going to happen in the next few months.. not the next few years. Take time in your training, enjoy it, have fun!
I've just had my first lesson on sunday! The most amazing feeling in the world!
Enjoy your life, we're still young, don't try to rush your training and become airlines youngest FO. There are hundreds of different things you can try in General aviation, try them, give eveything a go, and then when you've been though it all, start loooking at the airlines, that's going to be fun too! but personally I love the loud Cessnas even though I actually fly on a PA-28.
Good luck!
Vems.
EDIT, I just wanted to add..
Calm down with your attitude.. people can recognise you very easily here, plus I think that they would prefer to talk to someone young and mature, than a 16 year old who doesn't have a clear idea of flying but plans his future for the next ho ho ho.. years. They're not going to take you seriously.