Why not hire a high time old guy?

T

t-cart

Active Member
First, let me say that this is just a question to get different responses from the masses here. I am quite happy with my job and don't see myself going anywhere.

Lets say that a guy, 50 years old, and with 19-20,000 hrs of TT with over half of that in single engine turbine airplanes finally had enough with his current job and wanted a change. He is instrument rated and has a couple hundred hours of multi. Not much real world instrument flying, but probably as much instrument experience as the bulk of the young guys applying.

I have read that the regional operators don't really like to hire the old/expericed guys. Why is this the case? Is it because the old guy wouldn't be able to fly more than 10-15 years? Is it because they think the old guy would be a problem to work with in the airplane? Why is this the case, or is it the case at all?

If this IS the case, please enlighten me as to why.
 
Operators know that they can use and abuse young kids. Duty times, flight hours, low pay, etc. You know SJS!

We all know what happens if you put an "experienced" person in a place of a responsibility. They start talking back, they know whats up, and won't take the BS airlines (regionals) throw out at them.

If they did that, well then airlines would need "amber lamps."
 
Not because they won't hire him because of age but because he will not take the job after the reality of how little he gets paid for how much time he must give.
 
I think its a money issue. For a few reasons. One being that it will cost less in the long run to hire younger pilots knowing they view a regional as a stop off on their way to the majors or a good paying corporate gig and will likely always be looking for greener pastures. An older pilot might see it as his last opportunity and would probably stick around for as long as possible.
The other reason which is probably a contradiction to my first reason ;) is that the older guy is less likely to accept the pay and has tasted what its like to make a good living flying airplanes.
 
What kind of benefits do the regional have if any? If they do have them I could see this being a possible reason, :dunno:. Wait, that's right pilot don't get sick. If they do get sick they can't take meds and still work so they don't need bennies anyways.
 
Pilots are very replaceable - #17 calls in sick, #321 comes into replace him, so unless a 'chief' position comes up, you're working your way up with the crowd.

Alex.
 
Why would a guy (who must be having lots of fun in his TBM700 or Caravan) would want to start from scratch at 50+ and having to deal with 22-23 yo pilots ?
How would a 30 yo captain deal with a 20,000 hrs FO ?
True there's the attraction of flying a CRJ but IMAO the funs wears very quickly...
 
Hmmm, good question! FWIW, Colgan hired at least one guy who was around 50 (ex-ATA). I believe he's still there.

Sounds like you want a different adventure. If that's the case--go for it! As someone said, it may be a bit weird at first dealing with guys young enough to be your son, but I'm sure your charming personality would make you a favorite real quick!

In the end, follow your heart.....
 
I heard from a former HR guy for a regional airline that they prefer to higher younger, low time guys because they are easier to train and have less bad habitats already established. Basically they think that higher someone with high time will be harder to get them to do it their way.
 
That's not always the case. I've also known airlines that hired older guys. Usually the airline wants some kind of return on investment when they hire someone, but 5-15 years is plenty of time.
 
t-cart said:
First, let me say that this is just a question to get different responses from the masses here. I am quite happy with my job and don't see myself going anywhere.

Lets say that a guy, 50 years old, and with 19-20,000 hrs of TT with over half of that in single engine turbine airplanes finally had enough with his current job and wanted a change. He is instrument rated and has a couple hundred hours of multi. Not much real world instrument flying, but probably as much instrument experience as the bulk of the young guys applying.

I have read that the regional operators don't really like to hire the old/expericed guys. Why is this the case? Is it because the old guy wouldn't be able to fly more than 10-15 years? Is it because they think the old guy would be a problem to work with in the airplane? Why is this the case, or is it the case at all?

If this IS the case, please enlighten me as to why.
Click to expand...


If they wouldn't hire you because of your age or experience, it's probably because you're aware of your options and less likely to take crap from an employer.
 
Don't tell me tcart has SJS.

hell_freezing_over.jpg
 
mojo6911 said:
Don't tell me tcart has SJS.

hell_freezing_over.jpg
Click to expand...

I have it on very good authority that not only does T-cart have SJS, he was seen last week carrying a backpack over one shoulder, with iPod earbuds in, and spikey hair from hair gel as he walked to his Air Tractor.
 
It is culture at that specific carrier. I know some of my old dog buddies have retired from the airlines and gone on with freight carriers or contract flying. These companies must see some value in experience.

Obviously one of the questions the old applicant would face is 'why do you want to do this?' A second would be 'can you fit into this culture?'

Like a friend of mine long time ago. He was flying a KingAir a few days a month, making good money and hauling 20-something yr old lingerie models to shows around the country. The CP and review panel looked at each other and said, "Your flying lingerie models.. a few days each month and making good money... uh.. and you want THIS JOB WHY?!!" Long story short, he was hired, was a great asset to the company, became a check airman.
 
I would have to agree with inverted. I think an airline would have to think that by the time you have 20,000 hrs, you already have some pretty bad habits that they will not be able to break. They want their pilots to be cookie cutter copies of each other. An older, more experienced person would be harder to train to their desired cookie.
 
dc3flyer said:
I would have to agree with inverted. I think an airline would have to think that by the time you have 20,000 hrs, you already have some pretty bad habits that they will not be able to break. They want their pilots to be cookie cutter copies of each other. An older, more experienced person would be harder to train to their desired cookie.
Click to expand...

And T-cart has more bad habits than most. He would try to do the entire trip at 5-10 feet AGL.
 
t-cart said:
First, let me say that this is just a question to get different responses from the masses here. I am quite happy with my job and don't see myself going anywhere.

Lets say that a guy, 50 years old, and with 19-20,000 hrs of TT with over half of that in single engine turbine airplanes finally had enough with his current job and wanted a change. He is instrument rated and has a couple hundred hours of multi. Not much real world instrument flying, but probably as much instrument experience as the bulk of the young guys applying.

I have read that the regional operators don't really like to hire the old/expericed guys. Why is this the case? Is it because the old guy wouldn't be able to fly more than 10-15 years? Is it because they think the old guy would be a problem to work with in the airplane? Why is this the case, or is it the case at all?

If this IS the case, please enlighten me as to why.
Click to expand...

IMO, not as many "old guys" apply. When I was at Skyway there was a guy there who was hired at 53. That was back when you were done at 60. Why not? At the time, 7 good years was better than the average turnover. I think you stand a better chance than most. You have the total time :rotfl: and you definitely have enough multi and you aren't subject to recall anywhere else. Why not?
 
dc3flyer said:
I would have to agree with inverted. I think an airline would have to think that by the time you have 20,000 hrs, you already have some pretty bad habits that they will not be able to break. They want their pilots to be cookie cutter copies of each other. An older, more experienced person would be harder to train to their desired cookie.
Click to expand...

...or some good habits and experience that can be used. When I was new on the 727, we had hired a lot of the guys from Braniff and on one trip my F/O was a former chief pilot and an experienced F-8 driver. The F/E had been a Concorde check airman. I later flew quite often with the former CP and he was absolutely one of the best F/Os I ever flew with.

Good F/Os usually make good Capts and good Capts usually make good F/Os. Bad F/Os make for bad Capts and bad Capts are usually TERRIBLE F/Os.

I agree with the cookie cutter assertion but I know some guys who constantly strive to improve and take criticism quite well, especially when it is valid.
 
Yeah, hopefully, no airline (or ANY company, for that matter) should hire anyone over 30. They're too set in their ways! Stupid old farts. Why don't you all go and retire somewhere and leave the world to the young people of the world!
 
t-cart,

From my experience at the regional I worked at, I'd have to say your assumption was patently false. At least at the carrier I worked at.

We hired lots of people over the age of 50.

That being said, there were very few that applied that had high time, like you have. After 2001, we saw lots of people with your requirements. I checked out many with 10k+.

I'd say that as you look at companies, some were very homogeneous and some weren't.

$5 of my $.02
 
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