Am I Too Old? *Update*

Airline Pilot Questions & Answers
1

So I just returned from visiting family in NY which is never a good idea on a Holiday weekend. Anyway ALL the flights were full so I ended up in the cockpit of a United 737. The crew consisted of a check airman Capt and a brandy new FO on his second flight with the airline. Thing was this guy was not your average looking peckerhead 20-30 something FO, he looked old. How old? Old like me old! I had to ask and my suspicion was confirmed, he was 55 on his way to 56 in a few months. Now in the interest of full disclosure, he did have a somewhat unique resume. Former Air Force pilot BUT he had retired 15 years ago and really didn’t do any flying after. A couple of years ago he desire to give it a shot, got current, got hired at a Regional where he flew for a year and was hired by United at the ripe old age of 55. Will he ever be a 787 Capt? No he will not but he will have a good 10yrs making some pretty good money.

Bottomline is the shortage is alive and well and the airlines are hiring folks they might have overlooked in the past. While I can’t say it’s never too late to follow your dreams, the clock has definitely gotten pushed back a little. Interesting times we’re living in.

Adam

4 Likes
2

Many of the First Officers I fly with are considerably older than you might suspect. Times sure are a changing.

3

And here I am @ 37 wanting to learn to fly. It was my childhood dream but life had other plans for me. Is it really ever too late?

4

Raymond,

Sure it is. While the airlines are going deeper in the well, mandatory retirement is 65 so there is a point where it’s simply not cost effective. Training pilots is very expensive and the airlines need a few years to recoup the expense.

Adam

5

Raymond,

I am with Adam on this. Yes, there comes a point where it is not worth your time and money or the airlines. That being said, at 37 you are not there yet, but I sure wouldn’t wait any longer.

Chris