I've always been interested in aviation, usually as a hobby to learn when I am middle aged. However, I am 24yrs old and have been in a liberal arts undergraduate education for five years. I've jumped from computers to law to psychology and nothing stuck.

I've decided just to get a bachelors in psychology (I've been in school for five years anyway, might as well leave with something) this April although l have no plans to someday be a counselor, psychologist, or neuroscientist.

l looked up a list of the 20 best jobs and sure enough aircraft pilot was on the list. It said in the description that it will take at least two years of college (taking flight courses or just general college?) and a minimum of 250 to 1,500 hours of flight experience, and a pilot license with instrument rating.

I've also read competition is harsh in major airlines, but that regional and low-fare airlines offer the best opportunities. I am OK with the amount of time it would take, but when l start all of this l will be 25 (next fall), and l was wondering if that is just too old to really consider starting a piloting career when l have no history of flying?

Couple things to consider:
Average cost now to get the tickets u will need to make a viable career is in the neighbor of $200K. This would be on top any school loans u now have.
Competition is brutal in ALL air carriers, especially now with higher fares discouraging a lot of leisure travel. You will be the low man on the totem pole: last hired/first fired.
Assuming u do get hired, initial salaries r pretty grim
Obviously though, if this is something u wish to do AND STICK WITH-frankly ur history is not one of perseverance, by all means give it try.

It is never too old to start flying, & if u r going to fly for an airline u can now fly until u r 65 before u have to retire. If u finish ur degree (in anything), u will have increased ur ability to get a job flying for an airline a great deal.

Flight training is expensive (expect to spend anywhere from $50,000 to $80,000 to get all of ur initial training out of the way), but well worth it in my opinion, even if u do not fly for a career. Keep in mind though that ur first few years being employed as a pilot will not pay very well. Entry-level jobs in aviation, like any industry, have fairly low pay. After u have built up some time & experience, the pay will begin to increase quite a bit.

Not too young at all. Get started after graduation.

No, its not too late. When airlines need pilots they will hire them well into their 40 is & 50's. However, airline hiring is cyclical, u can get a job with minimum experience during a boom ( as an example, in the 60 is some airlines would hire private pilots & train them ), but be unable to get a job with lots of experience when they're in a slowdown like they presently are.

It can be very expensive to get the ratings & experience to get an airline position. When an airline furloughs pilots, they often have a hard time finding another position, & when they do they often start at the bottom. ( research airline seniority system )

My advice is to take flying lessons, & see if u like it. If u do, get ur private pilots license & decide from there how to progress.

Also, l think most pilots love to fly, & unless u do l am not sure being a pilot would be a good idea. Its a lot like being an aerial truck driver, & you're often away from home a great deal, especially if u r low on the seniority list.

Age is not the major barrier for you, the economy, fuel prices, etc may be.

It is possible, l started at 27 and completed training aged 29, l got my job at 30.
l am one of the oldest starting pilots though, and you can definitely see a difference in how fast younger people pick things up and get the hang of it. All the other downsides have been discussed already, and they are definitely true, but once you're airborne all is forgotten and life is good!
So go for it and enjoy

No it is not too late at all. At your age it is possible to attain a pilot career that can exceed 30 years.

However l say possible because to make it you will need the desire and determination that far exceeds just seeing '' Airline pilot '' listed on some top 20 list.

If that is the case go for it! and best wishes.

Check out the video on youtube ' So you want to be an airline pilot edit 1'

It is not too late, but how bad do you really want it? You ready to make a serious commitment to becoming an aviator?

You have plenty of time. l have a friend who started at 34, & she is now with a regional airline. Also, those lists r made by people who know nothing about aviation. If that is the main reason u want to do this, it will be a rude awakening. l would suggest u get ur private license to see if u even like it, an do some reading on aviation websites. You need to see how people feel about things like the pay & the hours & the uncertainty about the career. It is something u better want really bad, or u will never stick with it. Good luck.

Of course not. You certainly do not have to get a private pilot is license at 17 to be an airline pilot (in fact, getting it that early does not really help u anyway). Most of the pilots l flew with, in the airlines, did not get started with flying until after college. l did not start until 23 & l knew many who did not get into it until they were in their 30s. l also knew people who did not start flying until their 40s. Airlines do not care how old u were when u started flying, nor do they care about how long it took u to get all of ur ratings. If u know the right people, you're in.

Competition is extremely tough in this career. Make sure u have a backup career (i.e. finish that 4 year degree in something worthwhile).

Bluefast -
l am going to agree with Ron & Tom on this one: l think the biggest decision u need to identify for yourself is what do u want to do with ur life. Are u singling out aviation on a hunch or is there some underlying relevance to ur selection?

As has been already stated, the cost of training is impressive. l went through civilian flight school in 2006 & to get through (private, multi-engine, instrument, commercial) qualifications it was $45k. However, do not let the money throw u off. There r all kinds of scholarships & assistance available - all u need to do is ask.

In line with the other suggestions, u r by no means too old to engage a career in aviation. l started at 25 & have had zero problems. What might be an obstacle for u may very well be the strict flight physical requirements. Have a go at faa.gov & search what is required of an FAA 'Class I' physical to see if u will meet the requirements for the type of physical certificate needed for many commercial airlines.

The biggest concern for me Bluefast is to ensure that you're going after something that u want to do man. About 90% of my friends hate waking up in the morning going to a job that they hate - & deep inside they're not willing to make the change. You r on the verge of setting up ur professional life my friend - make certain it is something you're going to want to do & do not rush that decision.

Take all the time u need to ensure u have a good handle on yourself, ur dreams, & ur desires. If l can be of any additional assistance, drop me a line & l will be happy to help u out.

Mongoose