Realistic chances of finding a job flying?

[aztec-driver]

Hello everyone.
This is my first time on this site and so far has been pretty interesting. I am just looking for non biased info on realistic chances of finding work flying.
I currently have Com, multi, IFR being redone as expired more than 5 years.... 947 hours, 97.5 multi, real IFR time. flown most of north america.
Exp in C-337, BE-95 and Aztec. I am not in my 20s. not married but older, closer to 50 than 30 and willing to relocate most places.

thank you and if i posted in wrong area sorry,

Brenda

[Ramjet555]

Brenda,
It can be very difficult finding a job when you have been out of it for five years.
When you older, you don't exactly fit the fresh out of college profile that most
traditional employers are used to receiving CV's from.

At the same time, you have life experience, and may have significant qualifications in
other areas that might impress an employer. Odds are an employer
may be of a similar vintage and might be more willing to consider hiring
someone older.

Older low time pilots have to prove themselves just younger pilot.
If you have other skills, show how they can be an asset.

There is also an element that prefers to have an older looking pilot
up the front rather than someone who would trouble buying beer
without showing proof of age.

I'm coming back to aviation after being out of it for a while and
I'm expecting to be flying as soon as I get the rides done.

Ramjet

[trey kule]

Do not worry about the age issue..Not a problem..
Having said that , keep in mind that unless you are super fit, tossing fuel barrels into a beaver or otter might not be that much fun..focus your job search...Most corporate people like older people because they are more organized, not in such a hurry, and have learned the importance of things like dependability and puncuality..And , as a rule, are a little more stable in their lifestyle.
That is a generalizaton, of course, but it is one I would emphasize when looking for a job.

If you want to fly, you will find a way..but please, for the good of your profession, do not take a job "for experience" or work for substandard wages. Let one of the 50 behind you have that job.
There are good employeres out there.

I dont know if the airlines are your goal, but I am told now they will look at FOs up to 53.

Best of luck

[NWONT]

Sounds like you might fit in well with Discovery Air. Work load not too demanding and good equipment. No age discrimination there.

[aztec-driver]

thanks for the replies. I expected what you have said so not going into this blind.
I would prefer the corporate world and not really trying for airlines per se, but a decent place to work for the next many years.
I do hope my life experiences and being ex military might help.
thanks again......

[missedapproach]

Got my first paying job at 40 didn't realize what a waste of time it is being a pilot in Canada.... scrub tired beat aircraft
working in the worst weather multi-engine and single pilot to build time... starvation wages. Night flying into short iced up
runways at airports with no weather reporting. Both I and my passengers are lucky that I never had an accident
many do and it ruins their lives. Sorry to be so negative but that is the harsh reality of aviation in this country.
If you survive then maybe a good career to follow.


Good Luck

[thatlowtimer]

Where can I sign up for this single pilot multi engine gig? And all the time is at night!? Ill do it for free.

[Shiny Side Up]

I am just looking for non biased info on realistic chances of finding work flying.

If we do some quick math we can quickly figure out your chances. First of all there are a limited amount of pilot jobs available. Secondly, since the human race keeps growing and producing more pilots into the pool of available pilots the amount of pilots available to fill such positions, effectively makes the supply of pilots to fill those jobs infinite. If we figure your chances are the available jobs divided by the amount of people to fill such jobs we end up dividing a finite number by an infinite one which results in odds so close to zero that it might as well be considered zero. With such odds against you one must consider that any openings one does find must then just be a delusion, the product of a deranged mind...

[traveller123]

Where can I sign up for this single pilot multi engine gig? And all the time is at night!? Ill do it for free.

Yeah, i'm pretty sure some guys with 0 experience are willing to PAY 500 bucks a week to get this job

[iflyforpie]

Skill, determination, connections, and luck are what you need to find a job in this country.

The skills you have... 1000TT (53 hours doesn't make a difference) and a bit of multi (hopefully mostly PIC) plus some life skills and experience makes you a lot better than some 250 hour 20 something year old.

Determination is up to you. What are you willing to do to get a job? It depends on who you talk to here what is acceptable and what isn't. Going north or remote seems to be the most popular option. Ramp or dock is a good way to get your foot into the door, but with your age and experience I wouldn't think it would be necessary. Buying a PPC is generally frowned upon. It's the race to the bottom as far as wages and working conditions go... but generally the less you expect the more options there are. Stay safe and have some self-respect.

You've obviously worked places before... so where are your former coworkers? Connections are the most important thing when finding a job; they set you apart from the hundreds of other candidates with the same qualifications.

Finally, luck. If you show up at an operator when there is a fire that needs to be put out... you've got yourself a job yesterday. But it's also being prepared to be lucky too. You might be at the end of a 1000km road trip and haven't logged an hour in weeks... and all of a sudden they are whipping you through your training so you can fly your first revenue flight that afternoon.

[Canadian Skyhawk]

Brenda,

Congratulations for throwing yourself into the fray. And it will be a fray! You will be competing with twentysomethings who are willing to do pretty much anything just to sit in a cockpit. On the other hand, you do have 1,000 hours and maturity. The deciding factor will be your perseverance and determination. How badly do you want to fly commercially?

I believe that this is part of the weeding out process that ensures that those who get decent flying jobs in Canada are only the ones who persevere through the "crossing of the desert" - that period between getting your CPL and getting that first decent job - which by my observation occurs between 1,000 and 2,000 hours, if you manage your career intelligently. Notice that I said the first "decent" job, because there are all kinds of non-paying "jobs", P2F schemes, buying of type ratings, etc.

You did not mention your personal situation or willingness to relocate. The latter would be a huge advantage to you, as jobs quickly pop up and get filled across Canada, mostly in Western Canada lately.

You are not alone in your endeavour. I started flying from zero hours at 46. I am now 50 with over 1,000 hours and flying turbine for a 703 operator. I've had to do a number of crappy low paying jobs in crappy airplanes sometimes older than even me. I personally know a number of other guys who started flying (and by that I mean zero hours) in their forties and fifties, with the specific goal of flying commercially. Some have taken the instructing road, others the P2F road and others the rampie/FO road. All that were determined succeeded!

Never quit! Happy flying.

[aztec-driver]

To canadian skyhawk and others....
Yes I am willing to relocate most anywhere for a decent position.
And I wont pay for a job either....

[bubby]

Check the job ads for manitoba government air services. Pretty good gig. They are hiring in thompson and the job is fairly laid back for good pay and its government...need i say more? Twin otters and chieftains mostly