I 26 now and finishing up my degree at Texas A&M. I should graduated in two years making me 28. Then I’m going to ATP for my flight training. Am I already behind?
Miguel
I believe the last statistic I read was the average age of newhire Regional pilots is 32 which would actually put you ahead of the average. If you start at 28, train, build time and get hired by 30 that would give you a potential 35yr career. Sounds good to me?
Adam
That sound like a really good career to me! Everything you hear about aviation is about seniority… so I start thinking and it freaking out that I’m behind the curb.
Miguel,
I started at ATP when I was 39, that’s behind the curve!
Adam
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Miguel,
I also saw that the average student pilot age is around 30-35. You’re not as ahead as those kids coming straight out of college, but you’re definitely not late.
Yarden
I prefer the term “young adult” 
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You’ll be laughing at that in a few years Tucker! I’m almost 33, and I consider myself a “young adult” too, haha… I was absolutely a kid, until at least my mid twenties, 25-26. 
You’re all peckerheads and punks as far as I’m concerned! The scariest part is one of you might be slinging gear for me one day! Yikes! (that’s IF I let you touch ANYTHING?!?) 
Adam
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I fiddle with everything, so definitely don’t let me touch anything…
Miguel,
You are by no means behind, but there will certainly be others that got an earlier start than you. That being said, you will be around 30 when you become airline ready, which still leaves 35 years left to fly in front of you. You will be just fine.
Chris
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Adam you made me think of this poem I read awhile back.
The Co-Pilot
"I am the copilot. I sit on the right.
It’s up to me to be quick and bright;
I never talk back for I have regrets,
But I have to remember what the Captain forgets.
I make out the Flight Plan and study the weather,
Pull up the gear, stand by to feather;
Make out the mail forms and do the reporting,
And fly the old crate while the Captain is courting.
I take the readings, adjust the power,
Put on the heaters when we’re in a shower;
Tell him where we are on the darkest night,
And do all the bookwork without any light.
I call for my Captain and buy him cokes;
I always laugh at his corny jokes,
And once in awhile when his landings are rusty
I always come through with, “By gosh it’s gusty!”
All in all I’m a general stooge,
As I sit on the right of the man I call “Scrooge”;
I guess you think that is past understanding,
But maybe some day he will give me a landing."
5 Likes
I got a good smile out of that 
Thank y’all so much for the responses!
Miguel,
Anytime my friend. Come back any time you have questions.
Chris
Anytime my friend. Come back anytime you have questions.
Anytime my friend. Come back anytime you have questions.