USMCFLYR

Hello All -

USMCFLYR checking in; long time lurker....first time poster.

I must say that I have always enjoyed these forums and find them a valuable source of information, insight and often humor.

A little about my history/background:

I started flying in 1986 and graduated from Oklahoma State University in '88 with a degree in Aviation (any other members of the 'Flying Aggies' out there?). I left college with my Multi-Engine/Commercial with Instrument rating. No Instructors quals - felt I needed to get out of school. While in training I flew light Cessnas (C-152/172) and Pipers (PA-28, Seneca II) with a little bit of taildragger time and some aerobatics in a Great Lakes bi-plane.

I joined the USMC in March '89 and attended OCS in Oct '89 with an aviation guarantee. I started Flight School after OCS/TBS in Jan '91. I trained in the T-34C Turbo Mentor, T-2C Buckeye, and TA-4J Skyhawk. I was selected for the F/A-18 Hornet on the east coast and spent quite a few years in different flying and non-flying tours including a 3 year stint as a FRS Instructor at the USN East Coast FRS (VFA-106). I also served a few tours over in the Middle East - one flying, one on the ground. I have now found myself lucky to be assigned once again to a F/A-18 FRS, this time on the west coast (VFA-125)

I will retire in two years and have many thoughts running through my head because I want to continue to fly in some capacity. I have always been interested in mid to large corporate aircraft and with the most recent growth in the Fractionals, it seems that this path has become even more attractive. I am also interested in some type of GS/Private flying job - anything from PMC to law enforcement to fire fighting or fish spotting! Of course I must keep all options open and I am looking at the airlines as well.

Currently I have 3,000 total military time (2,500 being in the Hornet) with another 400 hrs of civilian time. I don't have the current breakdowns - PIC, Instrument, Night, Instructor, etc... but from what I have seen in these forums it seems that I meet most minimum requirements for the jobs that I am most interested in performing.

Sorry if this introduction is more than required or expected, but I enjoy getting to know the forum participants and I look forward to sharing ideas and experiences. Please feel free to ask any questions. I'm hear to learn and share!

hotelmode

Welcome to the forums! What kind of jobs are you looking into? Do you have your stuff submitted anywhere?

USMCFLYR

Hotelmode -

Thanks for the welcome. My top choices are probably in the Fractional businesses. Like I said - I have always been interested in the Corporate flying - the jets, the equipment, the different places to travel, etc.... Next would come probably some type of Gov't flying (though I'm too old for the Federal Law Enforcement - that ship has sailed on by!) or PMC/contract flying. Then I can never forgoet about the airlines - where most of my peers are. No - I don't have anything submitted yet. I'm still 2 years out from retirement so this is kind of initial planning type of thinking; but the more I hear about how long the interview times are for some of the Fractionals I'm thinking that I am not as far ahead of the ball as I thoguht I was. I mean I don't even have my ATP yet!

USMCFLYR

dannolars

Hey there, welcome. I just had a buddy get on with netjets and he has loved it. That might be the thing for you, it sounds like a good gig. As far as the time goes, it sounds like you have way more than what you need to get hired. The ATP thing is not so bad, you can get that knocked out in a matter of weeks if you really push through. I would start working on it right away, I was almost too late on mine.

__________________
"Life is tough, it's even tougher if you're stupid"

USMCFLYR

Dannolars -

Thanks for the welcome. Every flying job sounds good to me. Sort of like my military flying - I have gone through stages of wanting to fly everything! The GS jobs are interesting, the Fractionals have the equipment I love, the majors have the pay and benefits (like travel) for the long haul. Man....so many choices....so hard to decide where to go....and finally so hard to get the job huh?

About the ATP training. I asked that question yesterday. best to go get a -737 type rating/ATP all in one shot at a place like Higher Power or do it in a more traditional sense in your opinion?

USMCFLYR

Flounder

USMCFLYR
If every job sounds good, then why not apply to several and take the best offer? Just like the military--tell them where you want to go, then have a hell of a good time where they send you!

As far as your ATP question, I crossed that bridge a year ago. I was in your boat, about a year out with no ATP or 737 type. I thought about doing the ATP first, then my 737--but I really wanted SWA. I did them both at the same time and I don't regret it! I highly recommend Higher Power--class act! You can find cheaper places, but you won't find better training (IMHO).

Other side of the coin; if SWA is not your total dream job, save the money, get your ATP and drop your apps all over. You can get interviewed at SWA w/o a type; just have to get in w/in 6 month of entering the pool.

The sooner you get started the better; you'll always have more time today than you will tomorrow. Good luck--

USMCFLYR

Flounder -

"The sooner you get started the better; you'll always have more time today than you will tomorrow."

No truer words may be spoken!

USMCFLYR

dannolars

I would agree with Flounder. I applied at several places (including SWA)but do not have a 737 type. SWA is great, but I really wanted CAL. So I saved the coin and got my ATP, then figured if SWA wanted to hire me bad enough I would then go get it. My buddy played it that way and it worked well for him.

As it stands I got hired by CAL and am most likely going to the 737, so it worked in the end. So the long answer is it depends on what you want. Regardless, plan on getting your ATP before you get out, it brings great peace of mind.

__________________
"Life is tough, it's even tougher if you're stupid"

USMCFLYR

You are right about getting it done sooner than later, and I really need to start paying attention to it, but right now it is too easy to put it off and concentrate on my current duties. SWA is definitely in the line of job possibilities. Peace of mind.......man I could use some of that and I'm still two years out

dannolars

I hear you! I was more nervous about this transition than anything else I have done in my life. I thought I was more nervous about this than at any time in my flying career, including UPT. In hindsight I can say it is so worth it. Good luck with it for you, PM me if you want specifics on anything.

__________________
"Life is tough, it's even tougher if you're stupid"