What age did you get your first flying job at?
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21. RHS a320 family
D2k.
Age is irrelevent really, I was told to 'go for it' instead of going to uni by all the pilots I could speak to. So I did and I was a very lucky boy. Initially on the course (went integrated, and no my parents aren't loaded, HSBC currently own me) and a few people were openly telling me I wouldn't be hired at my age. Take it on the chin.
Silly them.
D2k.
Age is irrelevent really, I was told to 'go for it' instead of going to uni by all the pilots I could speak to. So I did and I was a very lucky boy. Initially on the course (went integrated, and no my parents aren't loaded, HSBC currently own me) and a few people were openly telling me I wouldn't be hired at my age. Take it on the chin.
Silly them.
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Thats pretty young Dozza. Im 18, nearly 19 and have no idea what route to go down. I could go to uni, but I feel it could waste 4 years.
Im thinking of saving up thousands and doing integrated, or modular full time, whatevers cheapest, because right now modular would be alot of hassle. Im scared to take out a 50k loan.
Im thinking of saving up thousands and doing integrated, or modular full time, whatevers cheapest, because right now modular would be alot of hassle. Im scared to take out a 50k loan.
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22, Jetstream 32 FO for a small regional in the UK. Totally agree with the points Dozza2k made. I was also told to go for it, however, I did so at the age of 17 and found I was too young and too immature at the time, took some time out, did other things and came back to it when I was 21. In fact, I think Dozza2k may even have been on my initial training course when I was 17!
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Three (or four) years at university will set you back the best part of 25k at the very least! I've personally come to the conclusion that the majority of degrees are a complete and utter waste of time, especially if you intend to pursue a career as a pilot.
Save the money and put it towards flight training whilst learning a trade or something to back you up if it all goes tits up. Of course you'll miss out on four years of drinking, womanising and dressing like a tramp, but you'll have plenty of time to make up for it!
Or do a degree in vending machine management or something similar and try and get onto a UAS.
Save the money and put it towards flight training whilst learning a trade or something to back you up if it all goes tits up. Of course you'll miss out on four years of drinking, womanising and dressing like a tramp, but you'll have plenty of time to make up for it!
Or do a degree in vending machine management or something similar and try and get onto a UAS.
[Definite and inexcusable thread creep, sorry]
Uni is definitely not appropriate for everybody, despite the spin from the Labour Party which seeks to reduce the unemployment figures by convincing everybody they need Tertiary Education, and it is now damn expensive.
When I did it, there were no tuition fees and we all got (small) grants and low-interest student loans. I think I came away with £6k in debt. I'd only recommend it for born academics or those for whom it represents the only route into a profession. That's not the case for most pilots. Mind you, perhaps the ATPL theory course could be stretched into a degree course, but that's a new debate entirely!
But I still think that leaving any (expensive) decisions about your future until you are in your twenties is a sensible idea. I think I matured just as much between 18 and 24 as I had between 14 and 18. And I seem to remember that I had an awful lot of fun in my early twenties, like travelling, that I couldn't have had doing a high pressure responsible job like piloting.
So, in answer to the original question, I haven't got a job yet, but I will definitely be in my thirties when I get that first break! Er, that's assuming, of course, that this job market doesn't get even worse!!!
Uni is definitely not appropriate for everybody, despite the spin from the Labour Party which seeks to reduce the unemployment figures by convincing everybody they need Tertiary Education, and it is now damn expensive.
When I did it, there were no tuition fees and we all got (small) grants and low-interest student loans. I think I came away with £6k in debt. I'd only recommend it for born academics or those for whom it represents the only route into a profession. That's not the case for most pilots. Mind you, perhaps the ATPL theory course could be stretched into a degree course, but that's a new debate entirely!
But I still think that leaving any (expensive) decisions about your future until you are in your twenties is a sensible idea. I think I matured just as much between 18 and 24 as I had between 14 and 18. And I seem to remember that I had an awful lot of fun in my early twenties, like travelling, that I couldn't have had doing a high pressure responsible job like piloting.
So, in answer to the original question, I haven't got a job yet, but I will definitely be in my thirties when I get that first break! Er, that's assuming, of course, that this job market doesn't get even worse!!!
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University
I opted to go to university.
I'm now 22, £16,000 worth of debt and a 2.1 In business studies. Would I change it if I had the time again....hell no!
I want to become a Pilot and I'm so grateful I have my degree, especially when all you read is about people struggling and having to find other ways to make money. My 2.1 opens doors to undergrad schemes, and makes me more employable, and if I cant get employed I have a lot of business ideas and can just start my own business (my degree was Business Studies: Entrepreneurship, so I did 3 years of how to start up and grow businesses)
However, for me the most important thing about university was my time on the UAS (University Air Squadron). I had unlimited (within reason) access to free flying, with instructors of the highest calibre. I gained 38 hours and didn't pay a penny, infact they paid me. The flying opportunities within the UAS are excellent, and there is always windows to get a free ride in other RAF aircraft, Merlin's, Chinook's, Tucano etc..
As well as the flying, you gain so much life experience, the UAS is designed to mould people into officer candidates so its all about promoting leadership and teamwork. There are excellent opportunities to travel and go on expeditions as well, I was lucky enough to go Skiing for a week I paid £300 for it but I got paid while out there and earned £350 so over all a profit of £50 for going skiing for a week (thank you very much). As well as skiing I've done surfing, caving, white water rafting, diving, and that's just a few and just scratching the surface of the opportunities available within the UAS. If you do go to uni, i fully advise you to join it.
In your FTO and Airline interviews when they ask you about leadership and teamwork you will be able to talk for hours.
Now I'm about to sit my finals (start in 3 weeks) and then I will either get a job to save up for training or have a chat with Mr Bank manager depending on when I see the economy picking up.
Don't be so quick to dismiss university, they say during a time of recession the best place you can be is education.
I'm now 22, £16,000 worth of debt and a 2.1 In business studies. Would I change it if I had the time again....hell no!
I want to become a Pilot and I'm so grateful I have my degree, especially when all you read is about people struggling and having to find other ways to make money. My 2.1 opens doors to undergrad schemes, and makes me more employable, and if I cant get employed I have a lot of business ideas and can just start my own business (my degree was Business Studies: Entrepreneurship, so I did 3 years of how to start up and grow businesses)
However, for me the most important thing about university was my time on the UAS (University Air Squadron). I had unlimited (within reason) access to free flying, with instructors of the highest calibre. I gained 38 hours and didn't pay a penny, infact they paid me. The flying opportunities within the UAS are excellent, and there is always windows to get a free ride in other RAF aircraft, Merlin's, Chinook's, Tucano etc..
As well as the flying, you gain so much life experience, the UAS is designed to mould people into officer candidates so its all about promoting leadership and teamwork. There are excellent opportunities to travel and go on expeditions as well, I was lucky enough to go Skiing for a week I paid £300 for it but I got paid while out there and earned £350 so over all a profit of £50 for going skiing for a week (thank you very much). As well as skiing I've done surfing, caving, white water rafting, diving, and that's just a few and just scratching the surface of the opportunities available within the UAS. If you do go to uni, i fully advise you to join it.
In your FTO and Airline interviews when they ask you about leadership and teamwork you will be able to talk for hours.
Now I'm about to sit my finals (start in 3 weeks) and then I will either get a job to save up for training or have a chat with Mr Bank manager depending on when I see the economy picking up.
Don't be so quick to dismiss university, they say during a time of recession the best place you can be is education.
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I have no idea what to do though. It - uni - is all paid for, but 4 years is 4 years that could be used to raise capital for integrated.
Im an apprentice accountant atm, the money is peanuts. I could become qualified by 22 though. Id say, in 5-7 years I could raise enough for integrated. Im scared to take out a 50k loan, the interest accrued is frightening.
Accountancy is another debate, Im not sure its really for me as a way of funding the training.
Im an apprentice accountant atm, the money is peanuts. I could become qualified by 22 though. Id say, in 5-7 years I could raise enough for integrated. Im scared to take out a 50k loan, the interest accrued is frightening.
Accountancy is another debate, Im not sure its really for me as a way of funding the training.
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Loan
If you take out a loan just be sure you have a fall back plan. And be sure you are aware of worst case scenario and that you will be able to deal with it.
For me worst case scenario is I finish training and cant get a job, in that situation I have my degree to fall back on and make payments while living at home and searching for an aviation job. Money will suck for first few years of my career but if I want to be in that left hand seat one day its just something you have to accept.
Just remember, taking a loan is serious business, its a HUGE responsibility and its not monopoly money, its real money, too many people see a loan as a quick fix to get what they want. The only reason I'm considering a loan is because I belive I have the ability to deal with things if the
hits the fan, and I believe the economy will be recovering in 12-24 months, but that's just my opinion and i'm still gathering research and have not made a decision yet.
For me worst case scenario is I finish training and cant get a job, in that situation I have my degree to fall back on and make payments while living at home and searching for an aviation job. Money will suck for first few years of my career but if I want to be in that left hand seat one day its just something you have to accept.
Just remember, taking a loan is serious business, its a HUGE responsibility and its not monopoly money, its real money, too many people see a loan as a quick fix to get what they want. The only reason I'm considering a loan is because I belive I have the ability to deal with things if the
hits the fan, and I believe the economy will be recovering in 12-24 months, but that's just my opinion and i'm still gathering research and have not made a decision yet.
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Grambo,
4 years is nothing, especially when your only 18 at the moment! Go to University, save up, drink loads, chat to plenty of chicks and then come out of it all with a pretty good CV and some solid work skills. Piece of cake!
PilotPieces,
Yeh you need to be Scottish.
4 years is nothing, especially when your only 18 at the moment! Go to University, save up, drink loads, chat to plenty of chicks and then come out of it all with a pretty good CV and some solid work skills. Piece of cake!
PilotPieces,
Yeh you need to be Scottish.
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PilotPieces,
Yeh you need to be Scottish.
Yeh you need to be Scottish.
Also, strictly speaking, Welsh, N Irish or English could qualify for the same conditions as Scottish folks studying in Scotland as long as they are 'ordinarily resident' in Scotland. Couple years should do.
BTW, the phrase 'first flying job' and then asking for FO positions, that's seriously jet jockey wannabeism, IMO.
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Easy answer:
Unfortunately this thread has slipped into a UNI debate. My personal opinion is that if you can get UNI paid for (or with as little debt as possible) then do it - especially in Scotland.
I don't know what the Golden rule is in flying but surely "Have a Plan B" must be one of them. And a uni degree will make you employable if the pilot thing does not work out.
However....
judging by your posts, you are eager to start flying as soon as recession stops. Which means would it be better to get yourself a job now and save for 3-4 years rather than go uni and earn nothing?..only to have to spend another few years working to save up so you may not begin flying until 8 years time!
(8 years time plus 2 years training could mean in ten years time, there could be another trough in the demand for pilots given the cyclic nature of things!)
Its a tough call mate where you would be the only one who can decide that.
BSMuppets advice would be to get a job NOW and pay as you fly. Go mod (stay within exam limit timings etc) come out in 4 years time with a fATPL, no debt and a rosy market for 250hr pilots
Unfortunately this thread has slipped into a UNI debate. My personal opinion is that if you can get UNI paid for (or with as little debt as possible) then do it - especially in Scotland.
I don't know what the Golden rule is in flying but surely "Have a Plan B" must be one of them. And a uni degree will make you employable if the pilot thing does not work out.
However....
judging by your posts, you are eager to start flying as soon as recession stops. Which means would it be better to get yourself a job now and save for 3-4 years rather than go uni and earn nothing?..only to have to spend another few years working to save up so you may not begin flying until 8 years time!
(8 years time plus 2 years training could mean in ten years time, there could be another trough in the demand for pilots given the cyclic nature of things!)
Its a tough call mate where you would be the only one who can decide that.
BSMuppets advice would be to get a job NOW and pay as you fly. Go mod (stay within exam limit timings etc) come out in 4 years time with a fATPL, no debt and a rosy market for 250hr pilots
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First flying job - turboprop FO - aged 36. Part of me wishes I'd done it when I was 18, but I wouldn't have had sufficient money or maturity.