flying career

[wantofly]

I'm 31 years old and thinking about changing careers and going to ATP. But I read articles like the one today talking about how many furloughed pilots Delta still has. I know knowthing is a sure thing, but realistically does someone like me have a shot as a pilot starting this late in the game and with so many other qualified people with more hours?
Also, anyone at ATP that has done something similar to this and has a comment, positive or negative would be appreciated.

[PilotGuy37]

I would hope you still have a shot at it as I am 38 and doing the same thing.
Good Luck to ya.

[pscraig]

I started the ACPP on my 31st birthday last year, and have since been hired and work for ATP as an instructor. After 6 months of instructing at a relatively slow office, I'm almost ready to apply to the regionals and hope to be flying for one by the end of the year. Many of the regional pilots I meet are our age already, so we are only 2-3 years behind the curve. I'm looking forward to a long career, but have to keep it focused. If I were ten years younger I might take some fun flying jobs, like sightseeing or banner tow just to get the experience. But at 32, I feel that I need to stay focused on an airline job.

[BAP27]

I am at ATP right now and will turn 35 during my ACPP portion. I would say that the average age around here is high 20's early 30's so I say go for it.

[Merlin]

The reality is that the industry IS depressed, somewhat. There ARE pilots out there with thousands of hours working as flight instructors. But the reality is also that NOTHING is permanent. Industries dont stay depressed forever--they tend to be cyclical (unless you were just getting into the horse and buggy business around 1910). And frankly, I don't think it's as bad as the press makes it out to be... the regionals are seeing steady growth, corporate and cargo are both solid, and the majors are beginning to recall their furloughs.

I would much rather be ready to go when it turns around than to wait for it to get hot and then spend a few years preparing to enter it. Buy low, sell high--right?

And just because there are already qualified pilots ahead of you is no reason to stay out. Why bother going to college to be a ___ if there are already a number of qualified ____ out there.

The fact is you WILL pay your dues in aviation. The biggest question for someone in their 30's is, are you ok with that? There are and will be flying jobs.

As for me, Im 31, and started ATP's career pilot program in January. I have a wife and a mortgage and walked away from a very well paying job to do this--it's what I want to do with my life and luckily, my wife is behind me. You'll find that there are a LOT of people at ATP in similar circumstances. Im not sure what the average age of career pilot students at ATP is, but I'd be willing to bet it's pushing 30.

Good luck,
Jeremy

[Cactus_Cutter]

I consider myself being in the "career changers" group at ATP. 35, zero hours, starting next week. I too left a good paying job to do what I would like to do. I figure after ATP, CFIing for a year or so I still will have a good 15-20+ years of piloting with a regional and/or major.

Like most industries there are no guarantees. After talking with people I know who work in the majors as pilots they recommend careful planning personal finances because chances are that you might encounter a furlough, strike, or company bankrupcy during your career. If you plan for these inconveniences then they will be insignificant.

If you ignore the press which is usually months behind of what is really going on and start to dig into some of these companies and what they are planning for this and the next 5 years you will find: Regionals = They are expanding their fleets via purchasing new/additional aircrafts. Majors = Changing business models to compete with the successful discounters providing more stops/routes. (i.e. Song, Tedd)

Congrats Merlin on your success!
It sounds like you have a very supportive family behind you. I know my ex wouldn't have been so supportive.

[cielo]

Ditto. Been in the pharmaceutical business started flying our bonanza with our pilot who is a CFI on business trips and ablsolutely love it. I never thought I would enjoy flying - I can't think of anything I would rather do for a living. Anyway I just turned 31and have a wife 4 year old son and a mortgage. I am currently deciding which school to go to. I am seriously looking at ATP and Flight Safety both in FL and possibly the 10 month ATP locally.

[wantofly]

Thank you for all of the imput. I really appreciate it.

[Tram]

I would say the average age at ATP is def. in the early 30's..

I am 25.. So far, I have met like 2 guys younger than me.. The rest are all like 31.. The golden age for this program seems to be 31..

[bramlett]

many people that are twenty? i am 20 and will be in stuart on may 31st.