I am 58 years old and have 500 hours in recreational flying. I am retiring from a career as a software consultant and have the funds to train through ATP ($75K). Would an airline, like Skywest or Jazz (I am both Canadian and American) hire someone who only has 5 years left on the clock?
Jason,
Airlines aren’t allowed to discriminate based on age. Also, every regional in America is facing a captain shortage. So they would love to know they get 5 years of loyalty, 3 of those as a Captain.
Hannah
Jason,
Believe it or not 5yrs is more time than they’re getting from many newhires these days. While there’s no guarantees, I think you have an excellent shot.
Adam
Jason,
It would be illegal to not hire due to age, but ‘the clock is ticking’. If you are considering seeking the industry, you should begin the process as soon as possible to get the most out of your time. When would you be able to start the airline career training if you were perusing with ATP?
Brady
Jason,
Let’s take a bit closer loom on the math. You are 58 now, let’s say you start when you are 59 (I assume you are not ready to start tomorrow). It will take you a minimum of two years to be airline qualified, so make that 61. You can work until the last day you are 64 but not a day past that, so you will really have four years of flying as an airline pilot available to you, not five.
Chris
Chris, I can actually start tomorrow, but I was under the impression that since I have 500 hours PIC aready that my timeline for training through someplace like ATP was more like 7-10 months, which would put me at 59 1/2. But I I think you are saying that you think I am too old to start, right? That the clock does not allow me enough time to be hired?
Brady, I can start tomorrow. Literally. I already have a class 1. I have the money right now in my corporate 401K. If you were me, would you spend $100,000 to attempt to make this happen or do you think I am too old for anyone to take me seriously?
Jason,
Let’s do the math. Your current time is 500hrs. After you complete ATPs program you’ll be up to approx 700 (and 5mos of training). You need 1500 for the airlines which leaves 800. The average instructor builds 75hrs a month so that’s 11mos. That means approximately 16mos from when you start ATP you’ll be hireable so yes that’s about 5yrs at the airlines.
Is it worth it? That’s something only you can decide. The fact the Regionals are offering bonuses that will cover all your training costs makes it so to me. More important is how much does checking this box mean to you?
Adam
1 Like
Jason,
If you pay cash for training, it’s more a decision of weather the large amount of money spent is worth the 3-4 years in the industry. The retirement age could change to 67 by then… or if you are healthy enough to maintain a first class medical past the age of 65 and want to continue flying, you could pursue flying charter in part 135 operations. They could create a larger time of return for the money spent.
Hannah
I would point out that there is currently no discussion at the FAA or ICAO of the airline pilot retirement age changing to 67, at least that is public knowledge.