How hard / easy to become a Commerical Airline Pilot....

[fizz47]

Following on from the thread of the 26 year old pilot I'm wondering how difficult would it be to become an employed commercial pilot.

Before anyone says I am dreaming away in the clouds- this is something I genuinely and seriously feel I could do.

Assuming I pass the medical certificate my situation is as follows.

Age- 34

Funds- Have available funding upto £150k without having to take a loan.

Currently in a full time role professional role (finance related) that I would be willing to give up. Currently role already has me travelling every single month over the last 3 years to destinations all over the world.

Location- Greater London.


ETA. Im guessing 34 may be too old to start?

Edited by fizz47 on Wednesday 28th September 11:52

[fizz47]

aeropilot said:

At your age - I'd say pretty close to impossible, without being through a airline training programme.
My cousin financed his lad through commercial licence with training in the USA (he started at age 19) and even after passing all ratings, etc., converting to UK/EU, he couldn't get a job as didn't have enough hours and no airline training background. Spent a number of years as a PPL instructor in UK to build up hours etc., but not a chance of getting an airline slot. Eventually at age 26 he gave up and went into ATC and flys for fun etc at his local flying club when he can )

I would have thought he could have got a job flying freight maybe, don't know if he tried this option or whether even that was a route with no opening?

I thought the age thing may be too much

Oh well - next best thing I suppose is to go down PPL route.