pilot career

[Fearless]

Greetings, jrob:

Since I'm one of those older "career changers" too, perhaps I can offer my input on this subject. I started flying in my late 20's, got my first full-time flying job when I was 35, and was finally hired by a regional airline at age 42. I'm 46 now, with no upgrade in sight. If I stay here until I retire, that will make 18 years with the company - which (at the present time) is just about long enough to get you off reserve as a jet captain. In other words, I'll always be pretty low on the seniority list.

As much as I enjoy flying, this has been an extremely difficult career choice. You say it's "not about the money", but after you exhaust your savings and run up your credit cards, then YES - it IS about the money. In the last eight years, my average income has been around $18,000 a year. Although my present job includes medical coverage, none of my previous freight or instructing jobs did. Finally, there's the issue of retirement - we have a 401(k), but no pension plan.

Finally, if you're serious about a career as a professional pilot, you have to be flexible - ready to move anytime to take an available job. This can be extremely hard on a family.

You've already gotten a bunch of good advice on this subject - take it. If you decide that you want to fly professionally, I'd recommend that you get your instructor certificates and work part-time while you continue to hold down your regular full-time job. Instructing doesn't always pay very well, but it's still "the most important job in aviation".

FFFI

 

[bobbysamd]

College and MAPD

well, pilotyip has got a point. if this guy is 47 and spends the next 4 in school, then an additional 2-3 years to get decent flight time...well, you see where this is going

I am usually diametrically opposed to Yip's anti-college position, but, this time, I agree with every point he made in his post.

350 suggested that the gentleman go through MAPD. Mesa does interview its graduates, which might offer an opportunity. Let's assume that his MAPD enrollment counselor is ethical enough to lay out his odds at actually being hired. If the counselor is absolutely truthful and candid with our poster and says that he has an excellent chance of being hired, as good a chance as the younger people, then our poster has a decision to make. Although the interview might be promised, hiring is not guaranteed for any MAPD grad, and I still would submit that he will face age discrimination. Knowing that could happen, I, for one, would not be very quick to shell out the $40K and eighteen months to complete MAPD.

It may not hurt for him to at least meet with someone at MAPD. I understand that it non-revs prospective students to Farmington.

 

[johnpeace]

I toured MAPD in 2001 and almost went there. My medical exam was 9/11/2001. After watching the news that morning my wife and I got a little nervous about selling everything to pursue an airline pilot career and put on the brakes.

When I was looking at MAPD they had a max age of 30, though I see no mention of that on their website anymore.

 

[46Driver]

poll bump

 

[jrob]

I want to thank all of you for taking the time to reply to this post. All have good points. As is always the case, the final decision is mine and is based on what will be best for myself and loved ones. Thanks again and good luck to all of you who are trying to make it through these tough times.