age cut-off limits for airlines
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2
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From: Tauranga
age cut-off limits for airlines
what is the average age cutoff limits for getting into an airline? or do they do it on a case by case basis. would an ex airforce pilot get in regardless of age?
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 367
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From: UK
It's all a question of supply and demand. Carriers normally look for experience commensurate with age, especially when loads of people are looking. Some carriers prefer ex military types, others Oxford cadets. My own company has a history of taking a broad range of people which I think is very healthy.
At the moment in the UK top of the tree "legacy" carriers are looking for experienced rated pilots to enter as FO. And getting them as people bail out of other jobs.
At the bottom loco's are taking pay 2 fly cadets on fixed short term deals, and cherry picking those they want to keep. Then repeating the cycle.
Pay2fly seems to be a mixture of types of people. Not all are low houred or just out of school.
I also was a late starter, licences at 34, didn't get my first job til 38. However this was 20 years ago and I was a very experienced PPL. Even then I had to work the GA, Regional, turboprop route to get a jet job.
Deep pockets and a willingness to relocate, and a big slice of luck will certainly be rquirements to get yourself established.
At the moment in the UK top of the tree "legacy" carriers are looking for experienced rated pilots to enter as FO. And getting them as people bail out of other jobs.
At the bottom loco's are taking pay 2 fly cadets on fixed short term deals, and cherry picking those they want to keep. Then repeating the cycle.
Pay2fly seems to be a mixture of types of people. Not all are low houred or just out of school.
I also was a late starter, licences at 34, didn't get my first job til 38. However this was 20 years ago and I was a very experienced PPL. Even then I had to work the GA, Regional, turboprop route to get a jet job.
Deep pockets and a willingness to relocate, and a big slice of luck will certainly be rquirements to get yourself established.
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 117
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From: UK
Thomsons certainly seemed very fair in their selection of pilots, there were a handfull of people around 40 with very low hours as well as some with quite a lot of experience when they were last recruiting.
That said some foreign carriers insist they will not employ people over 45 years of age as F/O's.
So it depends really
Good luck anyhow.
That said some foreign carriers insist they will not employ people over 45 years of age as F/O's.
So it depends really
Good luck anyhow.
Joined: Aug 1999
Aviation Qualifications: ATP+Mil
Posts: 581
Likes: 12
From: U.K.
Try EZY, there is a rumour going around that they are looking for ex-military pilots, but maybe the redundant guys after the latest cuts. Don't know any more, and don't know why!!
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2
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From: Tauranga
thanks for all your advice, the reason im asking is because im thinking of joining the airforce for my training but i want to be a commercial pilot in the long run. taking into account my training time (2yrs) and bond (10yrs) ill be about 37 when i can leave, just didnt want to blow my chances by being too old by then.
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 8,571
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From: Arizona USA
My advice, for what it's worth, is that you should join the military only if you want a military career. If you want to be a commercial pilot, you should take the direct route to being a commercial pilot.
I have noticed it time and again.
Ex-military fast jet guys join an airline, and all through training (which they constantly bit*h about, as they say they already know how to fly
) and then turn around and proclaim that the airline is 'doing it all wrong' rather than the 'air farce way'.I wouldn't hire an ex-mil guy on a bet, unless he had been in civvy airline ranks for a loooong time.
