Im 40 years old, Is it to late to begin to study to plan a professional pilot career with the major airlines ?

Question

Im 40 years old, Is it to late to begin to study to plan a professional pilot career with the major airlines ?

Answer 1

Yes, I am sorry.  That is too late to plan for a career with the majors.  You could get into air cargo, instructing, corporate flying, or charter.

Sorry, but that just doesn't leave enough years before retirement.

Answer 2

"Plan" is a relative term when it comes to aviation and especially the major airlines. I don't fly 121, but with the recent increase in retirement age to 65, I think you could still have a shot at being hired if you amass the required credentials and experience. Those who say "not enough years to retirement" are apparently talking about reaching the highest levels of seniority at the airline, and not everyone hired gets there, anyway. Keep in mind, too, that although there has been an uptick in hiring, at least at a couple of the legacy carriers, and at a couple of the more desirable large cargo carriers, that most hiring is still at the regional level and elsewhere. As for the "ex-military" factor, a couple of carriers are still infamously regarded that way, but, as someone who has either followed or participated in professional aviation for many years, I can tell you that the ex-military factor is definitely not the requisite it used to be. My final comment is to not think of professional aviation as consisting only of the "major airlines".

Answer 3

theres a couple things to consider.. it takes a 1-4 years to go through all the necessary flight training.. if you want to work for the major airlines, you need a 4 year degree.. it doesnt matter what you get a degree in but im sure an aviation related degree would help.. then you have to worry about logging flight hours.. if you set your goals a little lower, it would be more achievable at your age.. like flying for a regional airline.. you could get hired with them right out of school..  or you could work for a cargo operator.. or something else that doesnt require a ton of hours of experience.. the next thing i would worry about is getting a return on your investment.. it doesnt really sound feasible but i could be wrong.. it will cost you around 50k just to get all the required flight training.. then, your first year getting paid, you probably wont make much more than 20k.. and that could last for a few years.. reason for that is, fresh graduates will take any job they can get their hands on.. we dont care what we get paid as long as we dont have to pay to fly anymore.. businesses know this and thats why they only offer 20k..

Answer 4

studying is ok, but keep in mind that major airlines will only hire pilots with hundreds of flying hours experience. at 40, you will need to double time to be able to manage that

Answer 5

yup, about 20 yrs too late.

Answer 6

Tips for Successful Career Planning

Career planning is not an activity that should be done once -- in high school or college -- and then left behind as we move forward in our jobs and careers. Rather, career planning is an activity that is best done on a regular basis -- especially given the data that the average worker will change careers (not jobs) multiple times over his or her lifetime. And it's never too soon or too late to start your career planning.

Career planning should be a rewarding and positive experience.

Here, then, are tips to help you achieve successful career planning.

1. Make Career Planning an Annual Event

By making career planning an annual event, you will feel more secure in your career choice and direction -- and you'll be better prepared for the many uncertainties and difficulties that lie ahead in all of our jobs and career.

2. Never work alone--pay attentions on the social-network.  

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The Free Insiders Referral Network of Jobs - insidersreferral.com</a> is such tool for your to build such useful network.To expand and enhence your social-network and make it more useful, just go and check it up.

3. Reflect on Your Likes and Dislikes, Needs and Wants

Change is a factor of life; everybody changes, as do our likes and dislikes. Something we loved doing two years ago may now give us displeasure. So always take time to reflect on the things in your life -- not just in your job -- that you feel most strongly about.

Make a two-column list of your major likes and dislikes. Then use this list to examine your current job and career path. If your job and career still fall mostly in the like column, then you know you are still on the right path; however, if your job activities fall mostly in the dislike column, now is the time to begin examining new jobs and new careers.

Finally, take the time to really think about what it is you want or need from your work, from your career. Are you looking to make a difference in the world? To be famous? To become financially independent? To effect change? Take the time to understand the motives that drive your sense of success and happiness.

4. Examine Your Pastimes and Hobbies

Career planning provides a great time to also examine the activities you like doing when you're not working. It may sound a bit odd, to examine non-work activities when doing career planning, but it's not. Many times your hobbies and leisurely pursuits can give you great insight into future career paths.

5. Make Note of Your Past Accomplishments

Most people don't keep a very good record of work accomplishments and then struggle with creating a powerful resume when it's time to search for a new job. Making note of your past accomplishments -- keeping a record of them -- is not only useful for building your resume, it's also useful for career planning.

6. Look Beyond Your Current Job for Transferable Skills

Some workers get so wrapped up in their job titles that they don't see any other career possibilities for themselves. Every job requires a certain set of skills, and it's much better to categorize yourself in terms of these skill sets than be so myopic as to focus just on job titles.

7. Research Further Career/Job Advancement Opportunities

One of the really fun outcomes of career planning is picturing yourself in the future. Where will you be in a year? In five years? A key component to developing multiple scenarios of that future is researching career paths.

Of course, if you're in what you consider a dead-end job, this activity becomes even more essential to you, but all job-seekers should take the time to research various career paths -- and then develop scenarios for seeing one or more of these visions become reality. Look within your current employer and current career field, but again, as with all aspects of career planning, do not be afraid to look beyond to other possible careers.

Final Thoughts on Career Planning

Don't wait too long between career planning sessions. Career planning can have multiple benefits, from goal-setting to career change, to a more successful life. Once you begin regularly reviewing and planning your career using the tips provided in this article, you'll find yourself better prepared for whatever lies ahead in your career -- and in your life.

Answer 7

your choice is better for the purpose of education but it is harmful for the others ,so choose that upto your choice (i think it is better not to participate

Answer 8

Most airlines hire former Military Pilots.  You will need at LEAST 4000 or 5000 HOURS in your log book for them to even talk to you.