Just another sign that Australia is being dragged (kicking and screaming) into LAST century!

The scene in Europe has for many years been either young guns being sponsored through, or "Second Career" guys self-funding.

For anyone but the major airlines, the second group are attractive employees as they are more mature, stable, and once established with a job and a base, less likely to want to move as they have family ties and commitments.

As for it being "Scary", don't worry about it Rawhammer, the way it's going there are plenty of opportunities for all. And whilst the older guys will find satisfying careers in regionals and the local jet operators, it is the likes of you who will be flying the heavy metal to (and, if you want, from) the exotic locals.

30 + age group. Maybe more a reflection on less takeup in the profession by school leavers than a growth in the older wannabee. More kids getting a degree or a blue collar job that pays a decent wage, then coming back to the fun of flying when they get a little older with a fallback option.

Pilots with other job options? Not a good sign for the employee-rape-and-pillage management style of recent years.

ah the good ol Gen Y.

Can't wait to get to the left seat to fly with these characters (not)....

....after the 18 months hard yards it takes them to get a regional gig from commencement of training.

Me thinks a return to the days of m(Y) way or the Highway, is on the cards Mr Hat!:eek:

It doesn’t matter how old you are as long as you can hold a class one medical and show that you meet the required CASA standard when conducting the flight test. Old/ancient ……….is 60 plus in my book:E

Even Capt Wally deserves the YOUNG prefix....... Young Wally where's the debate????:ok:

Well perhaps 'Youngish'...;)

Rawrawhammer

Funny thing is, it's an older guy and gal that are paying for your licence, cooking your meals, and probably doing your washing.

ah come one boys CW ain't that young nor is he dead just yet!:)
I started late as a pilot & just played with planes part time for a few years before that magical word 'restructuring' came in with the Co. I worked for at the time & my 'mates' went full steam ahead, broke & destitute of course:bored:
'airman1' yr obvioulsy holding the 'key' there, trying to 'wind' up CW:E

now now 'HH' you will want to reach my age some day (meaning yr still alive) so be nice:ok:


CW:)

My apologizes Capt Wally I should have more respect for my elders!!!:=

Remember .......your only as old as you feel!!! :ok:

ahhh that's fine 'airman1' my 'spring' broke a long time ago !:E

I guess one of the benifits of being older, respect:ok:

CW

Actually you are only as old as the Woman/Man (delete as applicable) you are feeling...:E

Good post there Rawrawhammer (certainly got us old farts wound up!), and I'm one of those greyhairs you'd have seen with furrowed brow in the Perth exam centre. But I understand where you're coming from. If I was a 20-something weighing up whether to go $40K into hock or head north for 5 years and get $120K pa in the mines I know which one I'd choose (be on the flight to Karattha tomorrow!).

Maybe many of the greyhairs are in a similar situation to me. I flew helos 20 years ago before giving it away to feed, cloth and house a family. My thinking at the time was that I didn't want to end up being a broke and burnt out pilot at 50, so instead went into other industries and built some great experience and skills. But the intention was always to return to aviation when I could afford to.

Now at 45 with the kids almost off the hands and the mortgage halved I've got another 20 years working life to go, so I'm hitting the books again (cursing the need to wear reading glasses :}).

So yes, I agree that for a young'un in might look a bit of a worry when the number of greyhairs starts to outnumber the pimply brigade, but as another poster noted, the airlines will always be looking for fresh fodder.

There was a similar post on another aviation forum recently, obviously from a young wannabe asking the old hands "would you do it again?" Well, everyone is different, and all I say whenever a Gen Y says that they want to be a commercial pilot is "think very carefully about it. You have a 40 year working life and there's an awful lot of things you can do in that time." Pick the time to make money and give your family security, pick the time to have fun, and if you're really really lucky, do both.

I gained my CPL in 1985 at age 30 and obtained my first full time job in PNG at 35!:eek:

Through various circumstances I have now been out of Aviation completely for just over three years, but fully intend to renew the IFR rating and have another go at returning to the only thing on this Earth that I truly love!!:ok:

I'm now 53, but I'm still going to have another go as soon as finances permit.:cool:

Remember, you young types;Age and treachery will always overcome youth and enthusiasm!:E:eek::ok:

Oh yeah, weren't the 80's fun as a newly minted CPL :ugh:

from an oldie
 

Employ a teenager NOW !

while they know everything ...........

That's on a sign not far from me, gives me a chuckle everytime i see it.

For me CPL in 1982 and first full time flying job in 1988.

First overnight in Boulia Jan 23 1988 :eek:

once the gewd ol' "fee-help" arrives which seems to be around the corner, then we'll see the tables turn and will have plenty of young fellas comng through.And I mean PLENTY :ouch:

vmx; Em nau!! Was'nt it the truth!!:{:{

Ohmigawd Peter! The place was bad enough in 2005!!:eek: I never knew just how much Bundy a ringer could drink until I propped up the front bar of the Pub in Boulia on a Saturday night and watched the 'nightlife' there!!

'Course, the locals used to look somewhat askance at the bloke with the bottle of Red in front of him on the bar,.....''Bloody mail run Pilot...'' but I really learned a lot there!!

Such as how to avoid 'black looks'.....:eek: (EG; 'Buy me a drink, Handsome?')

Age does indeed have it's benefits!:ok: