I became and Airline Pilot at age 57 after working 30 years in the Oil and Gas Industry as a Geologist. I upgraded to Captain of an ERJ-175 Jet after two years only at a regional airline. At this point I have 4 1/2 years left to age 65 after which I hope to fly corporate to age 70 at least. Having seen the corporate world for 30 years I fully agree that being a commercial/airline pilot is one of the best jobs that one can have.
Hi Philippe. I am 40, wondering if its still worth to pursue a pilot career. Issue is will Commercial airlines hire someone at that age. And even if I decide to go for training in a good school it won't be for another 2 years till I save funds. Wondering if that's practical
If you can legally work in the US a regional airline will hire you well into your early 60s. So no you are not to old. Pilot training, getting all you needed ratings plus the minimum flight times of 1500 hrs will indeed take time and money (3 to 4 years and $120K I am guessing). Nancy does a good job illustrating how you could reach your goal. Review her videos. Other good UTune channels are Dutch Pilot Girl, Captain Joe and Mentor Pilot. Best
Thank you for the comment. I have been seriously considering switching my career to a pilot for a second career and I would be fine being a regional pilot in any seat or corporate pilot. I always wanted to be a pilot from when I was younger. I was concerned my age would be an issue since I will soon be 55. The good news is that I did private pilot training when I was younger. I currently workin in the Technology industry. Appreciate any advice or wisdom you could share.
I'm only 27, currently working as doctor. People think I'm crazy for wanting to switch to a commercial pilot but ever since I was a kid I've always dreamed of being pilot. Everytime I hear a plane in the sky look up and try to guess which plane it is. It's my passion. I love medicine too. But aviation is where my heart really is. I'm gonna make the leap once I've saved up and got my PPL.
Go for it bro, however doctors are needed so you can save lives, improve health of people, or fly them through the skies. Do both, or open a clinic and hire a manager while you fly .
This is exactly what I need to hear. I'm a 42 ear old Pipefitter and I want so much more out of life. Aviation and planes have always been such a huge passion of mine. I want to do this so bad.
Thank you for this, Garrett! I appreciate the candor and honesty about the process, while at the same time encouraging us “older guys” to go after our dreams.
This is amazing timing! I was just at the book store contemplating a purchase of a pilot test prep book to start studying for my PPL in my spare time. I'm 53 years old (2023) and I've always felt I was destined to fly professionally. My health is ridiculously excellent and I'm at a place in my life where I need a new start. I did feel that it was too late to start but I think God will bless my endeavor. Just 5 days ago someone was just talking to me about applying to ATP for veterans education benefits to become a pilot. Thank you for your channel and may God keep you safe.
Garrett, As an aspiring Future Airline Pilot, I always love watching your videos. I am a currently a Military Officer and look forward to start chasing my lifelong dream of flying soon. Thank you
Thank you for the video. I’m 30 years old and this has helped me come to my decision to pursue my dreams. I’m definitely going to look into ATP. You’re next video should be “Flow through from regionals to a wide body plane for the majors is it possible for it to happen?” Keep up the good work! see you in the skies one day.
I'm 32 years old, and I already started my training few months ago. I hope to be yours first official one day. Surely I could learn so many things from you...
I work for southwest as a ground operations and I am currently working towards my PPL !!! Thanks for your videos !!! My dream is to become a Sowthest Airlines pilot ❤️💛💙
Thanks, Garrett. I'm 47 and am thinking of getting into the airline business. This Saturday, I'm going to an Open House event at ATP. Envoy recruiters will be there. Should be a good time. Making a doctor's wage in a few years is pretty appealing! 🤑
I had intended on a career as a professional pilot, then 9/11 happened and I put it aside. Long story short, I’m now 55 and still feel like I’d love to finish my working career as a pilot. I have my commercial / instrument. Just need to get current, get my multi and start building time. Hoping I could maintain a 1st class med.
I’ve been thinking about pursuing a career in aviation for the last 5+ years I’m 27 now and I have no savings to pay out of pocket for the school I really want to go to ATP but then I’m not sure they will give me a loan Plus I’m an immigrant No American education whatsoever, no good credit score, I don’t even have a drivers license lol I don’t know if my English is good enough for the job On top of all that I really need to get checked in terms of my health because right now I wouldn’t pass the medical for sure Of course with hard work put in you can achieve your goals but I’m just so scared I’ll get kicked out school and will be left with a huge loan to pay back, no job and my dreams shattered 😭 I don’t know what to do Becoming a pilot has taken over my life and all my thoughts at this point I can’t think of anything else I would like to do And even though I make very little money right now we’re talking like veeeery little I don’t care about the pay pilots get I just want to become a professional and have the coolest job out there 😭
It's not a big issue if you haven't got enough money, you can start reading and studying now, still keeping your job and saving your hard-earned cash into flight training, give yourself maybe 4-5 years, meanwhile, look how you can improve your skills, maybe getting drivers license and getting a driving job would be a good start?
Darius Saulenas getting a driving job is a really good idea, I never thought about it bc I don’t have a driver’s license but I take Uber to work every day and see lots of people who clearly just got their licenses but they are already making money which means you don’t have to be really good at it to start Thank you very much for your reply!
I “hit that wave” head on (the wrong way). Earned my CFI and BS degree at 26, but it was during the 2008 recession AND I had just got a DUI junior year. It didn’t work out. I enlisted in the Navy, haven’t flown since, and I’ve been kicking myself for not perusing it. Now, at 41, I’m getting out of the Navy and getting “back in the saddle” early next year! Sooo stoked! Military has relaxed their age maximums, but I’m tired of all the military BS and constant moving (especially for the kids sake). It would still be tough for non-prior service to become a military pilot, especially without a degree. Looking forward to flying again, after 15 long years!!!
Sweeet! ✈️ I do plan on looking into ATP after your suggestion today… I’m anxiously looking forward to switching a career from the hotel side of the travel industry to the airline side of the travel industry and was really hoping to get to be a pilot as part of that career switch… I’m also looking at other areas within the airline industry, everything from sales and marketing to even a flight attendant… Of course the crown would be to become a pilot and have as much fun As I imagine it would be flying a jet plane… Again, sweet article and I love following your IG and Twitter too...thanks, Garrett!
Im 35 and was wondering if i was to old seeing how long it can take. Im currently a Technician on flight simulators for Delta and yes they do have a program that gets you a interview.
I had the dream to be a airline pilot from a very young age and at some point in my late 20's I gave up on that dream. I was already a instrument rated private pilot at the age of 19 and I was building a successful business that I was planning on selling or finding someone to run it for me so I could follow my dream. Being a airline pilot had lost alot of prestige and the pay rates were not that good these days, one of my best friends became a airline pilot and was on food stamps due to the low pay. I am 40 years old now and I have no desire anymore to be a airline pilot. My business has allowed me to afford the things I like so I currently own a TBM 900 and a Pilatus PC-24 so I can fly whenever I want.
@@MK-it7wk At the time I started a real estate investment company and I was flipping homes and commercial properties and I expanded into development and construction and started building shopping centers. Since then I have branched out into other business ventures. For business owners aircraft are very good tax deductions.
Hi man, thank you for your positive and motivating message, in fact I had a workmate who some years ago got his pilot license and I heard he migrated to the US (I'm European and so is he), and I don't know his exact age but I think he was in his 40's. I'm not 40 yet and I have never had any health issues so far, I don't even wear glasses, and my entire family has always been healthy. However I'm somewhat hypochondriacal so I think if I became a pilot, specially a commercial one, I would always be worried about losing my license after having spent so much money, time and effort into it. However I'm thinking of getting a PPL just for the personal satisfaction of saying "I'm a pilot too" while retaining my current job. A PPL is much more affordable than a CPL and my income wouldn't depend on it, so losing it to a health issue wouldn't be that tragic.
I'm 26 from the UK and am currently working as an engineer. It's a good job and pays well, but it's my dream to be an airline pilot. I am currently working on my PPL😁
You are such an inspiration to anyone that would love to take that job as a career, I could imagine it being such a rewarding job. We have just lost one of our Major Airlines here in the UK, probably down to greed, I really feel for all those who have lost there job right before Christmas. Being in Aviation you properly heard about Thomas Cook. You're a joy to watch. Many thanks for sharing with us.
Thank you yet again for another great and informative video..! I start flight school in Australia in January. I am 37, and have been told that while I am a late entry to the airline industry. I am not too late. And while it will be harder for me being a little older. It is still very possible. Keep the great videos coming. :-)
Where in Australia are you doing your training? And what is the lay of the land on being an airline pilot in Australia? Thinking of moving there to do flight school
I've always wanted to be a pilot, just never made the jump into the field. I'm 26 as well, and definitely thinking about looking into more now. I'm sure its pricey but you can't put a price tag on your dreams I guess. I just came across your channel and social media recently and its for sure giving me that itch! Your posts are awesome! Thanks for all the info!
I really needed to see this brother! Been a Carpenter for the last 18 years and have been dreaming about this for a long time, Passed my first Category 1 physical already and wanna start my training asap! should have my full license by the time in 48 year old!
This video is 2 plus years old... Airlines still have a airplane pilot shortage and nothing improved at all. So many canceled flights. Not enough staff. But the airlines took all the stimulus money from the government. 😔
Meanwhile this man sitting in his gym shorts as he films his video, he just changed his shirt for this video. This is why I subscribed lmao #madrespect
Garrett is 26-a Pilot-he works out-Millenials are hooked on Gym culture-so dont be surprised-employers like people that have confidence-it makes a Man/Woman ! Just Lift !
I wanted to become an Airline pilot in my teen years but went in to Medicine instead. I still find flying fascinating. Thanks Garrett for the information. Looking handsome in your work clothes :).
Excellent video, it gives me hope. I have 17 years in emergency medicine, both pre-hospital (street/EMS) and in hospital. Im 34 now and am strongly considering a career change by pursuing my childhood dream to become a pilot.
Very informative video 👍 i've been so intrested with the aviation industry for these past few months... More videos and maybe i'll be convinced to change my career from chemical engineer to a pilot🤔😂. I definitely agree with you that this is the coolest job ever. Getting excited on your upcoming business... Come on drop some more hints😉. Enjoy your flight with your dad. 🙌
Hey man I just wanted to say Thank you! For bringing my hopes back up, I’m a 24 year old still dreaming on becoming on sort of what you are right now, I think that what you are doing right now is soo great man, inspiring others means a lot. I was a little disappointed because some people I reached out to, said that it was to late for me to start flying school and plus getting to pay for it can be so expensive, but because of you I now know of this great school you’re talking about and can probably help me financially. Thanks again Garret, keep posting your vlogs I was missing them already!
NACA commends Congress for including a provision in the Fiscal Year 2023 Omnibus Appropriations legislation that would raise the mandatory retirement age of pilots for large, unscheduled charter operators from 65 to 70.If the law is amended, you can expect the aviation industry to change in a major way - a pilot will be able to work in multi-crew covered operations as pilot-in-command or co-pilot, for an extra two years. This will ultimately increase the pilot retirement age from age 65 to 67.
Would you recommend going to Embry Riddle, Purdue, North Dakota, or Western Michigan University to be a commercial pilot? Or nowadays is it just not convenient and worth it to spend that much money?
The US's 65 year old limit cut off is arbitrary. Japan moved it up your 68 birthday and there has been no issues. It should be moved up to 70. I expect that it will be moved to 67 in the US soon.
ATP flight school is offering a jet transition course a320 which allows CFI's with 1500 hours the opportunity to by pass the regionals and become a first officer with the likes of Spirit Airlines as an example. What are your thought I'm curious? Especially for an aspiring pilot like myself that will be 50 in a year and a half. My goal is to land a job as a F/O at the very least in a major airline. Curious as to your thoughts on this thanks. Video was awesome thank you for your insights.
What's happening now is us old guys with money , because we have worked 50 years, sold houses, cashed in on investments etc , we can now fly and achieve our dream, i believe in the next 5 to 8 years you will have alot of new pilots over 50 and women flying large and medium jets, some corporate . Will make it to 60 years old or 65 if health permits then retire. The biggest challenge i see for airlines is they will face a unprecedented amount of older guys, women becoming pilots and applying for jobs. The issue will be , will they Discriminate based on age ???? That will be their biggest challenge in North America , i wouldnt doubt you will even hear about lawsuits and human rights cases being filed because of this. Hopefully that does not happen.
Got my PPL almost 20yrs ago bt couldn't fund my CPL and ATPL however I logged 1500hrs. Today I'm in my 4os and am trying to get my ATPL. Do I have a good chance to be hired?
I'm 51 with zero flight time... Is it worth the investment.. even if I can get it done by 53.. just turned 51... also I take pills for high blood sugar.. thanks to the US Army sending me to Korea.. but that's a whole different story
An other epic vlog, thank you for all the facts and information u give us, as well as speaking quickly about ur holiday round the world. It’s fantastic to know ur not too old to fly. I’m 40, x
I’m 25. I’ve had many career ideas on my mind but nothing felt genuine. Being a commercial pilot, flying individuals/families to their desired destinations, seems so fulfilling. I have such a desire to fly. Now I need to get behind the yoke. Ahh I need to take action & stop overthinking it.
It probably will happen, because the idea and concept of retirement and pension age will be done away with beyond age 65 or 70, there will be no such thing as state or works pensions and people will be required to work well past the current pension or retirement ages, even with significant health issues whether they want to or not
