Too late to consider aircraft pilot career?

Question

I've always been interested in aviation, usually as a hobby to learn when I'm middle aged. However, I'm 24yrs old and have been in a liberal arts undergraduate education for five years. I've jumped from computers to law to psychology and nothing stuck.

I've decided just to get a bachelors in psychology (I've been in school for five years anyway, might as well leave with something) this April although I have no plans to someday be a counselor, psychologist, or neuroscientist.

I looked up a list of the 20 best jobs and sure enough aircraft pilot was on the list. It said in the description that it will take at least two years of college (taking flight courses or just general college?) and a minimum of 250 to 1,500 hours of flight experience, and a pilot license with instrument rating.

I've also read competition is harsh in major airlines, but that regional and low-fare airlines offer the best opportunities. I'm OK with the amount of time it would take, but when I start all of this I will be 25 (next fall), and I was wondering if that is just too old to really consider starting a piloting career when I have no history of flying?

Answer 1

It is never too old to start flying, and if you are going to fly for an airline you can now fly until you are 65 before you have to retire. If you finish your degree (in anything), you will have increased your ability to get a job flying for an airline a great deal.

Flight training is expensive (expect to spend anywhere from $50,000 to $80,000 to get all of your initial training out of the way), but well worth it in my opinion, even if you do not fly for a career. Keep in mind though that your first few years being employed as a pilot will not pay very well. Entry-level jobs in aviation, like any industry, have fairly low pay. After you have built up some time and experience, the pay will begin to increase quite a bit.

Answer 2

Couple things to consider:

Average cost now to get the tickets you'll need to make a viable career is in the neighbor of $200K.  This would be on top any school loans you now have.

Competition is brutal in ALL air carriers, especially now with higher fares discouraging a lot of leisure travel.  You will be the low man on the totem pole:  last hired/first fired.

Assuming you do get hired, initial salaries are pretty grim

Obviously though, if this is something you wish to do AND STICK WITH-frankly your history is not one of perseverance, by all means give it try.

Answer 3

You have plenty of time.  I have a friend who started at 34, and she is now with a regional airline.  Also, those lists are made by people who know nothing about aviation.  If that is the main reason you want to do this, it will be a rude awakening.  I would suggest you get your private license to see if you even like it, an do some reading on aviation websites.  You need to see how people feel about things like the pay and the hours and the uncertainty about the career.  It's something you better want really bad, or you will never stick with it.  Good luck.

Answer 4

Not too young at all.  Get started after graduation.

Answer 5

Of course not.  You certainly don't have to get a private pilot's license at 17 to be an airline pilot (in fact, getting it that early doesn't really help you anyway).  Most of the pilots I flew with, in the airlines, didn't get started with flying until after college.  I didn't start until 23 and I knew many who didn't get into it until they were in their 30s.  I also knew people who didn't start flying until their 40s.  Airlines do not care how old you were when you started flying, nor do they care about how long it took you to get all of your ratings.  If you know the right people, you're in.

Competition is extremely tough in this career.  Make sure you have a backup career (i.e. finish that 4 year degree in something worthwhile).

Answer 6

Bluefast -

I'm going to agree with Ron and Tom on this one: I think the biggest decision you need to identify for yourself is what do you want to do with your life. Are you singling out aviation on a hunch or is there some underlying relevance to your selection?

As has been already stated, the cost of training is impressive. I went through civilian flight school in 2006 and to get through (private, multi-engine, instrument, commercial) qualifications it was $45k. However, don't let the money throw you off. There are all kinds of scholarships and assistance available - all you need to do is ask.

In line with the other suggestions, you are by no means too old to engage a career in aviation. I started at 25 and have had zero problems. What might be an obstacle for you may very well be the strict flight physical requirements. Have a go at faa.gov and search what is required of an FAA 'Class I' physical to see if you will meet the requirements for the type of physical certificate needed for many commercial airlines.

The biggest concern for me Bluefast is to ensure that you're going after something that you want to do man. About 90% of my friends hate waking up in the morning going to a job that they hate - and deep inside they're not willing to make the change. You are on the verge of setting up your professional life my friend - make certain it is something you're going to want to do and don't rush that decision.

Take all the time you need to ensure you have a good handle on yourself, your dreams, and your desires. If I can be of any additional assistance, drop me a line and I'll be happy to help you out.

Mongoose

Answer 7

No, its not too late. When airlines need pilots they will hire them well into their 40's and 50's. However, airline hiring is cyclical, you can get a job with minimum experience during a boom ( as an example, in the 60's some airlines would hire private pilots and train them ), but be unable to get a job with lots of experience when they're in a slowdown like they presently are.  

It can be very expensive to get the ratings and experience to get an airline position. When an airline furloughs pilots, they often have a hard time finding another position, and when they do they often start at the bottom. ( research airline seniority system )

My advice is to take flying lessons, and see if you like it. If you do, get your private pilots license and decide from there how to progress.

Also, I think most pilots love to fly, and unless you do I'm not sure being a pilot would be a good idea. Its a lot like being an aerial truck driver, and you're often away from home a great deal, especially if you are low on the seniority list.

Age is not the major barrier for you, the economy, fuel prices, etc may be.    

Answer 8

It is possible, I started at 27 and completed training aged 29, I got my job at 30.

I am one of the oldest starting pilots though, and you can definitely see a difference in how fast younger people pick things up and get the hang of it. All the other downsides have been discussed already, and they are definitely true, but once you're airborne all is forgotten and life is good!

So go for it and enjoy

Answer 9

No it is not too late at all. At your age it is possible to attain a pilot career that can exceed 30 years.

However I say possible because to make it you will need the desire and determination that far exceeds just seeing " Airline pilot " listed on some top 20 list.

If that's the case go for it! and best wishes.

Check out the video on youtube ' So you want to be an airline pilot edit 1'

Answer 10

It's not too late, but how bad do you really want it? You ready to make a serious commitment to becoming an aviator?