My name is Rodrigo, I just turned 47 and I currently have a pilot license (very low hours) that will expire soon and I’m having a hard time entering the job market, considering my age versus experience. Let me explain how I got myself into this situation. I finished my ATPL in 2013 and the job market hadn’t recovered yet from the recent recession. I myself had to start working in other jobs just to pay the debt from the course (about 1.000€ per month) and was unable to raise enough money to renew the license. I was able to do that just 7 years later. I finally got my first job as a pilot early 2020 and was a further 30.000€ in debt for the type rating. As I’m sure you are aware, COVID hit during my aircraft qualification and the company I was supposed to work with booked me a total of 20 hours flight and didn’t pay a salary for the years contract. I have since tried to work other jobs, and managed to renew my license again, but at 47 with very little experience it’s hard to get hired. Meanwhile last year my father sold the family home where I was living and now have to manage the bills, rent (prices are crazy right now – over 1.000€/month for a tiny apartment) and debt, not making me very hopeful for the future.
Any help is welcome. I’m at the bottom of the well.
Thank you!
https://paypal.me/NevesPires?country.x=PT&locale.x=pt_PT