Hello everybody,
my name is Alex, I’m 39 years old and I hold PPL, IR, CPL, CFI and II certificates. I earned all my licenses back in 2009/2010 and I have about 350 hrs total flight time. After that I stopped flying and right now I am probably a “little” rusty lol.
I’m from Italy and after several years of hard work and sacrifices, I rack up the money to move to the US and start my flight training. I’ve been living here ever since, I became an American citizen and I absolutely love this great country. Flying was my dream since I was little but back in 2010 I couldn’t find any opportunities for flying, I was thinking to work as a flight instructor at first and then build my way up trying to achieve my ultimate goal of becoming an airline pilot.
I failed and I got discourages, so I took a totally different direction. I got my CDL and I became a truck driver. I drove long haul across country for few years, I’ve been training other drivers and I was gone all the time. Then I landed to a local job driving a tanker and hauling hazardous material. This is what I currently do right now and I absolutely love it. I work long hours, between 60 and 70 hours a week, but I also make way over 90k a year. Home every night and every other weekend off. I work for a phenomenal family owned company with a great boss, great people and excellent pay. I’m about to get marry with the woman of my life and we have no kids. Together we make a great income and we live comfortably.
Now I wonder if I should stay where I am at or if I should go back and trying to pursue my dream pilot career. Any thoughts?
Realistically, I know that at my age I would have probably good chances to become a regional pilot (although nothing is guarantee in aviation lol), but way less chances to become a pilot for a major airline (although it seems like it could still be possible).
And I know that my question may be a little hard to answer, but I would like to hear some opinions from some of you guys that already went through all the steps of becoming an airline pilot, how it feels and any suggestions. I’m looking at a pilot career as a beautiful and extremely rewarding career, but at the same time full of sacrifices, long time away from home and family and in my case I would more than likely make even less than my current career.
On the other end, I am looking at the prestige of the pilot career versus just driving a truck…and here I do not want to offend anybody by all means! It’s just my personal ego that tells me I would personally feel more self fulfilled as a pilot versus a truck driver, just on a personal level. Although I would be broke to get there lol.
If you’re still reading, I thank you for your patience and I would appreciate any comment or help in this matter…and maybe I’m just going through a mid-life crisis lol.
Alex,
These are decisions that only you can make. It sounds like there are advantages to both of your potential choices. I encourage you to read through the FAQ and Flying the Line sections of this forum as there is a great deal of information there that could help guide your decision.
Chris
Thank you Chris, I am reading through this forum and I found a lot of interesting information. Considering the fact that I haven’t flown in nine years, what would you suggest to do if I want to attempt to get back in aviation? What would be the steps to take from now to, let’s say, a regional pilot job?
There is a local flight school here where I live that I’m thinking I could use to refresh my skills, invest some time and money to get back on track and maybe ask if I could work there as a flight instructor…I know it’s really tough to get the first pilot job, even as a flight instructor especially not having recent experience. I am really flexible and I could move anywhere in the US and my fiancee is on board, she said she would follow me anywhere in the world. She’s awesome!
I’m trying to figure out a possible plan that I can put in place… I don’t think I would be able to apply to an ATP school as a flying instructor, would I? I’m sure they give priority to their students first…
I also live near the beach and I could probably look into a tow banner job to rack up some hours, but I think flight instructor would be my best bet. Just not really sure on where to start on all this…
Alex,
I always find it curious when people say things like “Flying was my dream” and “dream pilot career” then they ask should I pursue it? Listen, it’s YOUR dream and YOUR decision whether it’s worth pursuing. To me that begs the question was/is it really your dream or do you just like the way that sounds? If it truly was/is in fact your dream why wouldn’t you? It’s not like your dream is to be James Bond or an astronaut. Being an airline pilot is quite attainable. You’re under 40 and you’re a heck of a lot closer to an airline job than most people. You’ve got all the tickets (except for your ME), it’s simply a matter of building the required 1500hrs. Of course you need to get a little more than current if you’re going to be instructing. While you could also do some banner towing (I did back in the day) to build time, know that kind of flying will help pad your logbook but won’t do much for your flying skills. Also ATP does on occasion hire outside instructors, as you said first preference goes (as it should) to their students. Regardless there are many flight schools out there looking for instructors.
As for the pros and cons you list again it comes down to YOUR priorities. Is being a pilot more prestigious than driving a truck? I suppose but I’ve done both and I was the same person in both roles, no better or worse. But if that’s part of your dream to impress your friends, family etc that’s cool. You can eventually make low 6 figures at a Regional and if you get crackin’ soon you could even have a shot at a Major where your certain to make more than you’re making now. Is that your motivation? That’s cool too.
Bottomline these are big boy decisions and the right one is the one that’s right for you.
Adam
Hey Alex,
I’m kinda in a similar situation.
I started flying and earned my PPL about 10 years ago. The industry outlook wasn’t great considering the recession and there were as many financing options so I stopped flying and got a regular job.
I think about flying everyday. I would say it is my passion and no matter what job I’ve done that I like, I always think of flying.
So I’m 30 and I want to get back to my goal of being a professional pilot. I’ve already set my mind on going back to flight school in the next few months and do a fast track program to the airlines and I’m just going to take out a loan to make it happen.
Long story short, it’s only a decision that you can make but if you are passionate about it I would say pull the trigger and do it and don’t stop this time. It’s now or never! The industry looks great these next few years so it’s the best time for us to get in.
Im 38 and considering going to ATP.it Just scare the blank out of me! I’ve been at my job for 17+ years making a decent living. Starting all over really scares me! I can’t stop thinking about flying! I have taken several fights and I have caught the bug for life, LOL! Good luck and happy flying:)
Adam,
Thank you for your prompt answer and thank you for being so straightforward with me. You brought up a very interesting question when you’re asking me if aviation was really my passion or if I like the way a pilot career sound. You had me thinking about this for couple of days now and if I can answer to this question I will be able to decide where to steer my life from now on.
I love flying, I love driving, travelling, moving from point A to point B, been doing as a truck driver for almost ten years and I love it. Flying a plane is my favorite way of travelling. And you’re right, nothing stops me from going back into aviation and become a pilot but me. If it’s truly my passion I really need to do it, follow my passion and twenty years from now I wont have any regrets, no matter what. If I just like the way it sounds, I should just trying to flying for fun, just as a hobby. My call.
Thank you again for your great comment
Joshua and Marcus,
Thank you for sharing your story with me, I love to see when people are passionate about something and put so much effort and achieve something. I need to confess that after ten years from getting my licenses and currently having a great career and a descent living, I’m a little scared of starting over and jump into aviation where nothing is never guaranteed. But you guys are right, the time is now or never… opportunities are out there much better than ten years ago… not really sure how I can build my 1500 hrs yet…
I guess today when I get off work I’m going to visit a local flight school here where I live and ask about getting me back in the right seat and see if they offer some refreshing course for rusty pilot lol. Then I could ask if I can work as an instructor once I’m up to speed again. At that point I would be able to quit my current job and move to any flight school in the US if they hire me full time and keep the new chapter of my life rolling… thank you guys and good luck to you all.
Alex,
I’m a little late to the party. Been busy moving the last few days.
I just wanted to let you know that I could tell what you were fishing for when you first asked your question. I believe you have arrived at what has really been bothering you. You want a guarantee. You’ve realized that now is the time. Even still, it will require a plan, hard work and sacrifice and you’re afraid that it will all be for nothing because you know that there aren’t any guarantees. It just took you a moment to come out and say it.
This is your dream, Alex. If you want to pursue it, you have to decide. We can tell you to go for it all we want, but it’s you that has to say, “OK.” You have to own it.
Tory
Wow Adam! Were you really also a truck driver at one point? That’s really comforting to know.
Thank you everybody for the good feedback and for being straightforward. For completeness I want to let you know what I have decided…I’m going back to fly! Goal: airline pilot! It’ll be a long journey, but I finally made my decision, discussed everything with my fiancee and she’s more than agree with me and really really supportive.
Here’s my plan. I went down and talked to the local flight school really close to my house and asked for a flight review and possibly being a flight instructor there. They have a part time available right now and several full time at the second location about an hour and half away. Awesome!
I’m planning to remove the dust from my cfi certificate first lol, I’m studying for the flight review right now and get all the knowledge back…then I’m gonna try get that full time instructor job, quit my current job and build my 1500hrs… wish me luck lol.
Here I have few question about building this time and get some good experience and improving my skill and my resume.
Is it a good option to build the 1500 hrs just as a CFI and CFII (I already have both). Would that be looking good enough when I’m going to apply for a regional job? Should I consider getting the MEI down the road and get some multi teaching experience too? (I currently hold the commercial multi with 25hrs).
Going this route, I’m thinking that it will be a big jump going from a Cessna 172 to a jet…im not really sure how that transition works…
Browsing around I found some lil company that hire pilots with less than 1000 hrs…for example, tradewind aviation hire SIC with 900TT and you fly a PC 12; Cape Air hire with 500TT and you fly cessna 402C, 208B. These are just some random companies that I found, nothing in particular…my question is if it would be better, at some point, trying to look for opportunities like this and get experience on lil bigger aircraft of any kind…we are also really flexible, we don’t have any kids and we are willing to move everywhere when the time comes. I wonder what are some good paths to get to fly jets one day, I’m not necessarily in a hurry and I think I would enjoy all kind of airplanes to fly with. At the same time I would like to build a good resume for when it’ll be time to apply for the regionals.
Thank you in advance for your thoughts… sorry for the long long post…
Osmar,
Sorry for the late response (didn’t see your post for some reason) but yes I was. Didn’t do it for long but it was one of many careers I suffered through on my search for happiness 
Adam
Alex,
Flight instructing is a great way to build hours as it keeps you sharp. There are of course other gigs but some are obviously better than others. What you don’t want is to find yourself flying right seat simply loading bags and slinging gear. That said I’ve heard good things about TradeWind and know a few pilots who flew for Cape Air. Cape Air is a legit airline and their pilots build quality time. They’re well known in the industry. Flying for them will look good on your resume and the 402 will help in the transition to the jet as would the PC12 (though I prefer the twin).
Adam
Alex,
I would stick with flight instructing. It can be a very fast way of building your hours and a way in which you will really learn the ins and outs of aviation, and you will be home every night. I would not bother getting your MEI, as long as you already meet the multi time requirements for the airlines that you want to work for.
Chris
Thank you so much Adam, Chris and Tory for all your prompt and helpful comments and tips and for taking the time to answer to all my questions…I also enjoy reading through this forum with several topics about pilot careers and such…you guys are doing a fantastic job in helping out people like me that just started. Thank you, thank you, thank you and wish you the best in your career.
Alex
Alex,
Thank you for the kind words. Glad you’ve found value in the content of this forum.
I like your plan. Don’t worry about the MEI. The transition to a regional jet is a huge leap. The airlines all have successful training programs. They take you from day 1 to LOFT/LOE/Type Rating. I’ll admit it feels overwhelming when you’re going through it, having never flown a jet before. There’s many different reasons why some people phase out of training. For your situation, if you don’t have a lot of multi time or crew experience, a part 135 job would be a good transition for you. Being a CFI will definitely help with the knowledge aspect. So I would renew that for sure.
Tory
Alex,
Thank you for your kind words. Please let us know how else we can help you.
Chris