Wow! Hadn’t checked this thread for some time, and now that I did, I’m impressed with all the stuff on here. Thanks for feeding this discussion, all!
update from me: got all the documents I need to get my “good boy” certificate from German police/govt. which means I should be a student by Jan-ish. If, I go ahead. I am leaning to, just gotta grieve my money and bank account first - it’s a process :D

i also think I’d rather try and fail, and look back thinking: “f* it, I had the chance and took it”, rather than wishing I had done sth I didn’t.

Maybe during the PPL I’ll realize I’m crap at this and won’t go further, who knows? 🤷🏻‍♂️

Are companies in Europe not use the bond procedure if they give you the type rating? In Canada, you get a 20-30k bond that reduces to 0 after 12/24/36 months. So the company pays for your type rating but if you jump ship with your shiny new type rating, you pay the company.

I haven’t read all the answers so maybe my answer has already been given. As you are 27, you have a good salary already I suggest that you start with PPL and ATPL theory. With the idea that IF you want to continue down the airline route you have already the theoretical knowlegde in the pocket. With the PPL done you know if flying is for you and if this is what you really want. If you don’t like flying the small stuff, you also wouldn’t enjoy flying the big stuff. If you do like it continue with CPL and ME/IR.

From someone with 300hrs who couldnt get into it - dont bother

You need money, aptitude and determination to succeed. Many dont have an interest. Most don't have the money. Some people just don't have the aptitude or temperament for this job. Others give up. Not a quality desirable in someone flying an airplane.

I have to agree with rudestuff above.

I looked at the person above's old posts and they finished their training with the MCC in 2011. They got one interview and admit they flunked it. They then got another job in a different area. I hardly think that means that there is no hope in the industry.
He then renewed his ratings just before the ATPL exams expired (7 years), but then Brexit and Covid hit. Bad timing I think everyone would agree.

It certainly doesn't show determination to get a job. rudestuff is right that people need to swing with the highs and lows in this industry. That should be a given. A large amount of cash (e.g. €30k) for a type rating with the likes of RYR may also be necessary. He also said before he refuses to pay for UPRT training - it's mandatory so no training = no job.

I was about to ask “Iflyplainplanes” to describe his journey, cases of unachieved expectations also portray reality and help. And mate, if you want to add anything - please do. For what it’s worth, it helps me get as much data as I can.

update on my journey: got everything ready for sending the German background check (last hurdle to clear before I can enrol as a student).
as soon as I send it, should take 4 weeks to get the cert. During these 4 weeks I will reflect a lot on what to do - but not too much. I think I will anyways love the PPL, and I will have time during its tuition to also assess future moves.

Final note for this post, I really enjoy the activity this thread gets. Feels cosy to read your posts :)

Yo! Say hello to a new flight student, yours truly :)

I had to pay for my first rating ( B737 ), now on 747, Company deducts certain amount over a period of 3 yrs.

After this, I definetily will not pay ever again for a rating 😄✈️.

Hope for the best but expect the worst. Play the long game and start planning from day one. If you're planning to go modular and know you need 3 years to be financially stable and you need a job, then get a job with your target airline doing anything, preferably in the office close to management or flight ops etc and absolutely ******* shine. Then talk to the CP and tell him/her/it what you're up to in your spare time. The rest should fall into place.

I apogolize up front, but this post reads very "spoiled brat". Define "nearest future"?

I got my license right around 9/11 in 2001 and spent +4 years looking for a first job (had an engineering degree so I managed to keep licences "alive"). There have been people who have lost their job due to COVID, but from the moment there was the slightest hint of improvement they were hired, and they now cruising around 777s in a legacy carrier. Not because recovery is fast, but because experience to fill these positions is becoming a rarity on the market. Once experience starts to move seats, the door is wide open. And these doors open pretty much overnight. All you have to do is hang on.

It's not because you have to try for a year, it is a disaster. It is a normal wait. But the door will open.

absolutely love your post. It’s inspiring and motivating.
not to discredit other posts - they have all been helpful. My first lesson is scheduled :) my journey starts now!

Yes
 

I totally agree with you very nice comment

Hey man,
So I'm in the industry since I was a teen, and I spent almost 10 years flying questionable airplanes in questionable countries under questionable ICAO licenses.
As my old opportunities disappeared, I decided it was time to go for EASA conversion.
Honestly, these 10 years were painful, but my latest year of converting and fighting EU bureaucracy was the worst.
With that being said, I can't imagine myself dropping out of aviation. It's not the easiest industry, but certainly quite rewarding.
I can only say you should keep your "regular" job for as long as possible.
Good decision on getting your PPL and do networking first, you'll have more info by then to decide whether aviation career is worth it or not.
PS: I had a partner for my CPL/IR conversion checkride, she's from Germany, too. She told me that I should avoid German CAA for now, maybe this will help you in future.

Your OP asked what the situation will be like in three years? Impossible to answer. What if their is a world war with russia between now and then, another 9/11, a new pandemic, a stock market crash, a world recession, oil prices get higher due to the war. You just cannot predict what the job market will be like in 3 years. Maybe one of the above scenarios has come and wen't by the time you get the ATPL and you get hired just as a recession is starting and they suddenly tell you you are back in the hold pool.?

Do Lufthansa and KLM not have training academies you could apply to?

Hey sorry been awhile since I picked up anything on here but for the benefit of anyone else reading thought I’d reply. Think you’ve given a fair summary. I was involved in aviation for a long time afterward though, trying to get that first job and no way in. There was just not much going on in the early 2010s. And with work and wanting to achieve other things in life the cost/time involved needed to take a backseat. Once the market seemed more positive I revalidated.

What I noticed was that if you have your eyes on the airlines, you are setting yourself up for disappointment. If you are happy instructing/air taxi work for a long time then go for it.

if you have other things important to you in life then it may get in the way. Keeping licences current, adapting to new regulations (with Brexit) and all the rest of it costs a lot of money and time. You might find yourself in a career that you are doing well in and your work/life balance is pretty good. As the original post was asking about giving up a decent career I just wanted to share my experience on it.