Well I have my ATP I'm not sure of all that other stuff haha!

You'll have it all, don't worry.

 

MEIR = Multi Engine Instrument Rating, seeing as you're on the ATR, I'm guessing you have that.

MCC is just for operating in a multi crew environment, so you've that...

JOC is a jet orientation course, which operating on an ATR would be fine as an equivelent. 

 

All in all you'd be fine to apply, but you'd need to have your license converted to EASA instead of FAA, nothing too difficult, about 2 weeks study and a test at the end on the differences AFAIK.

 

Regards,

Ró.

You'll have it all, don't worry.

 

MEIR = Multi Engine Instrument Rating, seeing as you're on the ATR, I'm guessing you have that.

MCC is just for operating in a multi crew environment, so you've that...

JOC is a jet orientation course, which operating on an ATR would be fine as an equivelent.

 

All in all you'd be fine to apply, but you'd need to have your license converted to EASA instead of FAA, nothing too difficult, about 2 weeks study and a test at the end on the differences AFAIK.

 

Regards,

Ró.

I see. Same ratings different acronyms.

 

That EASA conversion is quite a bit of studying! 14 exams make our ATP look like a joke.

Ive got 250 TT and a Canadian multi engine and instrument rating! Do i fit the mold? haha 

I also have a dutch passport so i guess i should probably be knocking on KLMs door if they offer this.... Beats bush flying up north in Canada. 

 

Duco

Sorry, didn't see your comment. Yup, you fit the criteria. 

 

Regards,

Ró.

Sorry, didn't see your comment. Yup, you fit the criteria. 

 

Regards,

Ró.

 

 

Man I wish I was in this club, Ireland here I come...  :drinks:

 

I chose to get into IT instead...  :ph34r:

 

 

No, certainly not what it used to be, particularly at the regionals in America the T&Cs have declined to peanuts or in places like Ryanair, but there are still plenty of good jobs out there with conditions, while not as great as they were 30 years ago, are still well paying and provide a comfortable standard of living.

 

Problem is that in the US you have to start in the regionals making peanuts unless you are ex military. 

Problem is that in the US you have to start in the regionals making peanuts unless you are ex military.

...or cargo, or corporate...

 

 

or cargo

 

Most reputable cargo airlines like UPS or FedEx want experienced pilots and their pay rivals passenger carriers. 

Maybe you need to work for Qantas

 

Figures obtained by The Daily Telegraph revealed even the lowest paid second officers are on almost $100,000 a year while senior captains are paid up to $536,000. This is more than Prime Minister Julia Gillard's base salary of $366,000.

Read more: http://www.news.com.au/business/qantas-pilots-on-high-flying-wages/story-e6frfm1i-1226165387483#ixzz2bvLQerh8

Maybe you need to work for Qantas

 

Figures obtained by The Daily Telegraph revealed even the lowest paid second officers are on almost $100,000 a year while senior captains are paid up to $536,000. This is more than Prime Minister Julia Gillard's base salary of $366,000.

 

Read more: http://www.news.com.au/business/qantas-pilots-on-high-flying-wages/story-e6frfm1i-1226165387483#ixzz2bvLQerh8

Sensationalist journalism at it's best.

Man I wish I was in this club, Ireland here I come...  :drinks:

 Just because the qualification and experience barriers are low doesn't male it easy...   In fact, as the competition is open to far far more people than if we were to be restrictive about it, the competition for a place in EI is extremely high, and as a result we get the best of the best, can't just walk into it...  :mellow:

 

It is a great club to be in though... ^_^

 

Regards,

Ró.

I do regret not making this decision earlier on. However the thing about being any sort of pilot is that you will be away from your family a lot, and your schedule is a bit hectic. Other than that, it sounds like an awesome job. As a pilot do you get to go out and explore the city that you fly to? Or are there restrictions in place that don't allow the pilots to leave airport hotel's and it's surrounding premises?

 

Since we're on the subject, my next question would be, how much do airline stewards/stewardess make? Since I'm too late to become a pilot, perhaps I can take a role in becoming that.

Pilots can be home every night if they do short haul. You're only away when things go wrong, you're scheduled for the most part to return home every night. Long haul is a different story, but you get more time at home overall than most other jobs out there. It can be hectic, it can be stable, it just depends on your seniority and if it's a busy time, eg summer season.

 

You are able to explore if you want to, but most the time layovers are only 22 hours, so typically we'll get there, eat a meal, stay up as late as we can, sleep in as long as we can, then head home. You've got to change your entire circadian rhythm in the space of 24 hours, so not that much time for exploring, but if you want to there's nothing stopping you. Easier when you're younger.

 

Regards,

Ró.

 

 

I'm starting a new thread on this one. It's sure fun Alaska Bush flying in FS, I always thought in the real world it would be a blast not to mention the privateer earning potential...

 

Haha i agree it may be fun to fly there...but living there on the other hand. Canadian norths are cold, dark and boring from what everyone that works up there tells me. No girls up there either...... haha. 

 

Cheers 

Duco

I recall watching a documentary on Netflix regarding pilot wages and workloads expected and even living arrangements while working -- it wasn't glamorous at all ... some making < US $18,000/yr ... but in the same token, the pilot (Chesley Sullenberger) that safely landed Flight 1549 in the Hudson river is local to my area (Danville CA) living in an 7 digit home (think Robin Williams and other celebs/athletes kinda area) so obviously when you're at the top of your game the income is good.

 

But from what I could tell in the documentary, those starting out need to have a passion to fly and not much need for money ... maybe best way to think of it as someone willing to paying for the equipment and maintenance costs so that you can fly and get experience. 

 

I have no idea if 37 is too late, but if it's a real passion then it's worth pursuing ... but if your asking about money/salary then it's most likely not and you might want to consider other long term options or try out some/more GA first and see.

Interesting read… I’m in a similar situation as the OP where I've been considering a career as an airline pilot and am currently 31 years old working in the IT industry as a systems admin.

 

Here in Australia you can do the GA route which will take many years to work up the hours from PPL level, there’s also another avenue I've explored via airline cadets program offered by our local carrier Jetstar which operates a fleet of A320 and A330 aircraft. This is a program where you go through a rigorous selection process and if successful will commence training through Oxford Aviation in Melbourne or CTC Wings in Auckland then eventually be employed by Jetstar as first officer. The downside to this is you have to pay your own way usually through a loan then pay if off during your employment with Jetstar, prices also vary considerably between the two schools. Also last time I checked I think this program is only available to Australian or NZ residents. Another program on offer here is through Cathay Pacific also mentioned earlier in the thread; they take candidates from all nationalities so I imagine the competition would be even fiercer.

 

I ultimately decided that due to the extremely competitive nature I’ll go down the GA route as I fell rather short in mathematics and physics knowledge (one of my weak points ever since school days) during a series of aptitude tests I did at a prep-school specifically for this program. My high school grades were also sub-par and this is something that they consider as they appear to target the younger crowd who are just finishing up high school and considering their futures. I also lack a university-level education so again that leaves me at a considerable disadvantage as this is highly regarded on the application, even though I have various IT industry qualifications, I don’t think configuring servers and network switches really counts in this industry. Kind of really makes me wish sometimes that I put more effort into my grades all those years ago!

 

I did find out that first officers starting out with Jetstar specifically through cadets will earn around $74-110,000 AUD within their first 4 years and $190,000+ AUD once they reach captain. They also claim that this route ‘fast tracks’ your career aspirations by 10 years and makes it possible to reach captain within 5 years, not sure how accurate this is though as it sounds a little far-fetched.

I commenced lessons in an ultra-light aircraft at my local GA airport several months ago but unfortunately, all my piloting aspirations are ‘grounded’ indefinitely as I've been refused a medical certificate due to a silly mistake I made in recent past.

 

I've been told another option for me would be to try my luck overseas as the market here is fairly small. As mentioned earlier here, I guess if it's something that's your passion then you should definitely pursue it, we only live once and one day we might be kicking ourselves for never giving this a good shot.