Female Easyjet captain at 26
Discussion
Fair play to her, what a great achievement
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3806882/Th...
Also, flying with a 19 year old FO. That's the bit that surprises me with this story, didn't realise you could be a qualified Commercial pilot as young as 19.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3806882/Th...
Also, flying with a 19 year old FO. That's the bit that surprises me with this story, didn't realise you could be a qualified Commercial pilot as young as 19.
In previous eras those ages would not have been exceptional. BEA and BOAC used to train their own pilots at Hamble and they usually started at 18 being ready to sit in a 1st Officers seat by 19 or 20.
If I recall, Jeremy Keighly, the 1st Officer on the ill fated Trident Pap India was only 22 at the time (1972).
If I recall, Jeremy Keighly, the 1st Officer on the ill fated Trident Pap India was only 22 at the time (1972).
There's no way I had such a clear, focused and dedicated mindset in the ten or so years leading up to my 26th that would have enabled me to qualify as a commercial pilot.
Other PHers might be different of course and I expect they're all Top Gun, Richard Branson types now they're so much older and more experienced than this young woman.
Other PHers might be different of course and I expect they're all Top Gun, Richard Branson types now they're so much older and more experienced than this young woman.
hornetrider said:
Sheepshanks said:
Is it actually that impressive? If you're naturally good at whatever attributes are necessary to become a pilot, and you've got parents prepared to stump up the cost of the training school, then surely it's a breeze?
Do regale us with your stellar career trajectory.OK, so I have no idea - I imagine the actual flying bit is the easy part.
It was a serious question; what's the practical difference from being a captain vs first officer vs pilot?
We live in an era where "arrested development" is the norm. Achieving something at the age of 26 now is the equivalent of achieving the same thing at around 20 40 years ago.
I qualified as an accountant at the age of 22 in 1980. That's because I trained under the old "Articled Clerk" system where training offices took on "trainees" straight out of A Level College (or the Irish equivalent in my case).
The vast bulk of people who qualify as accountants are approaching 30 these days. This is chiefly because of the intervening 4 to 5 years they spend at university which means that they are older when they start training for the job they want due to the delayed start.
Note I am not saying going to university is a waste of time. Far from it. I'd have loved to have gone to uni. However, it does mean that people do start professional training at an older age.
I qualified as an accountant at the age of 22 in 1980. That's because I trained under the old "Articled Clerk" system where training offices took on "trainees" straight out of A Level College (or the Irish equivalent in my case).
The vast bulk of people who qualify as accountants are approaching 30 these days. This is chiefly because of the intervening 4 to 5 years they spend at university which means that they are older when they start training for the job they want due to the delayed start.
Note I am not saying going to university is a waste of time. Far from it. I'd have loved to have gone to uni. However, it does mean that people do start professional training at an older age.
SystemParanoia said:
Doesn't it cost upwards of £50,000+ to train as a commercial pilot ?
did she self fund ?
I think it is £50-100k depending on the route taken and hours required.did she self fund ?
If at the £50k end at least she has trained towards/shown capability in something worthwhile, unlike many her age who are leaving university with ridiculous debts and low chances of a decent job.
Wobbegong said:
SystemParanoia said:
Doesn't it cost upwards of £50,000+ to train as a commercial pilot ?
did she self fund ?
I think it is £50-100k depending on the route taken and hours required.did she self fund ?
If at the £50k end at least she has trained towards/shown capability in something worthwhile, unlike many her age who are leaving university with ridiculous debts and low chances of a decent job.
I say good on her, as a pilot myself I know how hard she will have had to work to get where she is. Its a well known fact that the male:female ratio in the pilot community is heavily swayed our way so if this does anything to encourage more ladies to take up the profession then that can only be a good thing.
With the rate easyjet pilots rack up the hours I fully expect her 19yr old first officer will be in the papers in three years as the worlds youngest captain
With the rate easyjet pilots rack up the hours I fully expect her 19yr old first officer will be in the papers in three years as the worlds youngest captain
hornetrider said:
Wobbegong said:
SystemParanoia said:
Doesn't it cost upwards of £50,000+ to train as a commercial pilot ?
did she self fund ?
I think it is £50-100k depending on the route taken and hours required.did she self fund ?
If at the £50k end at least she has trained towards/shown capability in something worthwhile, unlike many her age who are leaving university with ridiculous debts and low chances of a decent job.
i couldn't even get finance on a flippin Kia Picanto at that age
Eric Mc said:
We live in an era where "arrested development" is the norm. Achieving something at the age of 26 now is the equivalent of achieving the same thing at around 20 40 years ago.
In many ways it seems the other way around to me. You used to have to "serve you time" or "wait your turn". Now people go to uni or complete a course and they're all set.Gassing Station | Boats, Planes & Trains | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff