Bronx-based aviator in training seeking advice for late in life career

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Bronx_Aviator

Well-Known Member
Greetings aviators,

Ernesto here. I'm sure like many others, I've wanted to become a pilot since I was a kid. In my case, it was flying between family in Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico as an unaccompanied minor and having the kind flight attendants bring me into the cockpit. At 19 I started pursuing the career, and despite her full support, ended up putting my mother in debt before I could finish my private.

Almost 20 years later, and many years as a College and Career Counselor, I finally went back to pursuing my own career dreams, and just received my Private Pilot's License, which I am extremely proud of.

I'm about to turn 40, and I still want to become a professional aviator. I'm of course a bit nervous about the time it's taken me to get to this point and how much longer I have to go, not to mention the pay cut I'll have to take when I finally leave my full time job.

I met a United Airlines pilot on my way back from Houston last weekend and shared my journey thus far and he suggested joining this forum to connect with others for advice on my career goals. I'm hoping he finds me via this post, and even if not, I hope to hear from others who may have started their aviation careers late in life to learn from them as well.


Screenshot 2024-10-19 at 10.39.51 AM.png

(me after passing my check ride)
 
Welcome fellow career changer. It’s never too late. Started my career change at 41 and have been flying professionally since 44. Ask away.
 
Ernesto, welcome. 40 is absolutely not "too late" these days. What sort of flying do you want to wind up doing? What things do you feel that you don't understand about the industry/progression therein? As Steve says, helping guys like you is what we're here for (even if it sometimes seems more like "political bickering" is the point.)
 
Congratz on your PPL. Ask away with any questions you have. If you can fly on the side and keep you job that would be best. Get thru the ratings to CFI and then quit your job. Yeah, big pay cut but you'll have to put your time in as a CFI to build hours to move on. I would suspect after a couple years of instructing that you could find a job that would equal your current pay. If you work in a school system you should have summers off and maybe enough time after school to do some flying.
 
Bronx_Aviator said:
Greetings aviators,

Ernesto here. I'm sure like many others, I've wanted to become a pilot since I was a kid. In my case, it was flying between family in Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico as an unaccompanied minor and having the kind flight attendants bring me into the cockpit. At 19 I started pursuing the career, and despite her full support, ended up putting my mother in debt before I could finish my private.

Almost 20 years later, and many years as a College and Career Counselor, I finally went back to pursuing my own career dreams, and just received my Private Pilot's License, which I am extremely proud of.

I'm about to turn 40, and I still want to become a professional aviator. I'm of course a bit nervous about the time it's taken me to get to this point and how much longer I have to go, not to mention the pay cut I'll have to take when I finally leave my full time job.

I met a United Airlines pilot on my way back from Houston last weekend and shared my journey thus far and he suggested joining this forum to connect with others for advice on my career goals. I'm hoping he finds me via this post, and even if not, I hope to hear from others who may have started their aviation careers late in life to learn from them as well.


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(me after passing my check ride)
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Welcome, Ernesto! I was the one who flew you from Houston - thanks for reaching out on your way out of the plane… very glad you made it here. I’m a bit removed from the flight training scene but I knew there were people here you could lean on.

I’ll tell you this quick story though. I joined this forum in 2007 and at the time most people were aspiring airline pilots or in their first year or so at a regional. Now, nearly every single one of them are at a career flying job. Those that persisted made it happen. Many were older as well, and like I told you I didn’t get to my airline until I was 45.

Best of luck and hope to see you around here often!
 
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Hi everyone, my apologies on the delayed reply. Thank you all so much for your votes of confidence, to know that even though I’m an old fart I’m not TOO dumb for spending all this money and there is a light at the end of the tunnel!

Especially big thanks to @Ian_J for looking out for me and introducing me to this community, I really appreciate the support.
 
Welcome Ernesto!

Thank you for sharing your story with us, congrats on the PPL!

Stop thinking you’re too old and wondering if it’s too late because it’s definitely not. As you said circumstances lead you down the road you were on and now you are at a point you can attempt this goal again. You still have 25 years left in this career, so just think of today and going forward. I guarantee you will meet others in the same age category on the same journey. The big difference between someone at age 40 vs 23 is the 40 year old will have a good perspective from life experience which leads to a better attitude when the suck comes with certain parts of the job.

Keep us updated on your progress, go get that instrument/rating CSEL asap!! 🙂
 
Congrats on your new license!

In 2022, I made the leap back to aviation after 14 years away. I was 24 when I finished my commerical; 38 when I became a CFI. I turned 40 during my first week of regional airline ground school.

The career change is not easy, but let me tell you, it's worth it. Having life experience gives you a unique perspective on the career especially if you're currently doing something for a living your heart isn't into anymore. The perspective takes a some of the bottom out of the most challenging and exhausting days.

Case in point, I had a layover in Buffalo, NY this weekend. The rest of the crew talked smack about Buffalo before we got there. I wouldn't have had the chance to visit BUF in my previous line of work. I was determined to make an adventure out of the overnight. So I ditched them; found a great place to eat, enjoyed friendly conversation with local people while we watched the Bills game. I had a great time and I don't even really like football.

My advice... start building a network of pilots around you. The community I found on this website was instrumental in the career transition, so stick around. Make sure everyone at home is onboard too. If you need anything reach out.
 
Congratulations! I took my first lesson when I was 29. It took me until I was 37 to get hired at a commuter and I was low time at 2,500 hours. I wish there was a forum like Jetcareers back then! By the time I joined this group I was already at a major but it’s been fun seeing so many advance in their careers and I even had the privilege of assisting some in their journey.
 
Hi Ernesto, welcome to JC. 40 is definitely not too old. I am a career changer myself that started late and now at a legacy so feel free to reach out with any advice and questions, either publicly or via DM. What airport are you flying out of?
 
BrettInLJ said:
Hi Ernesto, welcome to JC. 40 is definitely not too old. I am a career changer myself that started late and now at a legacy so feel free to reach out with any advice and questions, either publicly or via DM. What airport are you flying out of?
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Thank you so much for your generosity! I’ll definitely take you up on the offer for advice as I navigate this transition. I’m currently flying out of Westchester (KHPN)—looking forward to connecting soon!
 
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