Hacker15e

I've heard quite the opposite to that rumor from a number of folks who know a thing or two about hiring at the majors.

Namely, that a former military guy who goes to a regional is going to be quite desirable to the majors. For reasons that don't make sense to military dudes, showing the willingness to go take the paycut and enter 121 flying at the bottom floor shows a type of dedication that they like (same logic that dictates that it is desirable to have guys chase interview invites at OBAP/WAI/job fairs, etc).

Regarding the "background issues", I've heard it specifically discussed that (depending on the issue, of course) that guys with past military disciplinary issues (DUIs, Art 15s for conduct, even grounded by FEB/FNAEB) can have those partially sidelined by doing good time (ergo, all training passes, perfect attendance, etc) at a regional. That such experience helps cleanse the palate of the undesirable military stuff. Sometimes it even does it in a ridiculously short period of time, like only months of employment at a regional. I also know more than one guy who was flat-out grounded by an FEB in the USAF (one of them got to full meal deal, lost his wings and everything, other one just grounded) who went to a regional and both were subsequently picked up at a major after about a year their regionals. These were about 6 or 7 years ago (prior to that 2006/2007 mini hiring boom), so not data that matches up perfectly with the current environment, but an important datapoint none the less.

Just as an anecdote, I also know of a handful of guys who, upon separating/retiring from Big Blue, decided they could not stomach the paycut (or ego blow?) of flying at a regional, and decided to do overseas contract flying. All the while, their apps were in at the majors (this is the 2010-2014 timeframe) and, despite regular updates, internal recs, etc, they were not getting interview calls. Each of these guys came to their own decision to go dip their toe into the regionals to try something different...and wouldn't ya know it, each of them shortly received interview invites at the majors.

So, there's something to it. I don't know that I understand why the majors see a stint at the regionals (even as short as ONLY having made it through training, and not even yet IOE) can suddenly make old tarnished applications look new and shiny again, but anecdotal evidence seems to indicate that.

JohnUtah

All, thanks for the insight. No issues at all in my background, so that is not holding me back. Guess I will keep hanging tight and make some job fairs to see if that helps.

Grumble

You are not alone in this. Many military guys, especially it seems weapons school guys (rim shot) need this punch in the gut. The vast number of my peers couldn't grasp the fact that they had to compete for the next rung on the ladder, that in fact the airlines don't give two flying turds that you're (insert awesome combat qual here). Do you meet the mins or not? From there it's on you to break out from the pack. A lot of these guys went to service academys, naturally excelled at everything they did, and just rose to the top. They've never had a civilian job with real competition, competing on paper as just a number from a bar that many can clear, and for some it's a reality check. For others they figure it out with minimal guidance and press on.

Moral of the story... being a patch wearing, #1 guy for your entire career is awesome, for your military career. That's where it ends.

Hrkdrivr

If you haven't flown in the 4 years since you retired, you age is NOT the reason you're not getting called. Non-currency is the "other reason not to hire" you.

The regionals will hire you after not flying for 4 years; a buddy of mine retired from a non-flying job a little older than you and got picked up immediately by two different companies. He's getting some time and I expect one of the majors will call him soon.

HuggyU2

Harsh... but true. And well put.
A quotable quote.

Hilltopper89

I was going to say the same thing. If you're not current you'll be waiting forever.

2loud

Well put guys. Most of us have a lot of respect (some are even jealous) for the high achieving, God's gift to aviation, stellar military pointy nose jet aviators, etc. Best advise, as someone already mentioned, is to check your ego at the door. It's worth it for a million dollar career. Humility and networking go a long ways in this business.
Keep plugging away and never give up.

Dragon7

You need to do stay up 4 things to get a job when you retire and you have all the other Albie Square Corners details complete.

1. Currency
2. Network
3. Monthly updating
4. Attention to detail

Currency currently matters, maybe in different amounts at different airlines and that may change eventually. As was mentioned before Regionals and Overseas Contracting two best ways to get it and keep it.

You don't start to Network when you start looking for an airline job, you tap your existing network and then expand it. Have Business Cards and ask for a rec. This is how you rush a Fraternity, Sorority, Reserve Squadron, or Airline. You don't show up and add a face to your name or have somebody else attach a rec to your app, you are just another jabroni. Send the person recommending you a draft email or letter.

Monthly flight time/other updates matter since most majors restack their pile monthly. You show an expired Class 1 the month you rise to the top of the pile and no call for you. If they add questions to the app you need to make sure you answer them or no call.

Attention to detail. Several folks i have helped have asked me to review their apps online. Fedex and SWA are both on Pilotcredentials and United and Delta are on airlineapps, and their questions and format is very similiar, but their questions are not exactly the same on which period of currency they are looking at (6/12/24 months and combinations thereof) and the question on Date of Class 1 is also Date Class 1 Expires. Check and recheck when you update!

thrust

Have you ever wondered about "what if" you had left after your UPT commitment?

You mention you retired 4 years ago, with 23 years of service. So you would have reached the end of your 10 year UPT commitment in 2000... 8 year UPT commitment in 1998. Obviously you couldn't have predicted 9/11, but the resultant gravy train of the ARC wasn't so bad to cushion the blow for the furloughed guys, right? But you were you still on AD, right? What sort of major could you have gotten hired by in the 1998-2015 timeframe, and what would your seniority be?

I don't say this to be a douche. I think a lot of folks are wondering why they would sacrifice a potential line number at a major in favor of toughing out the remainder of their AD retirement. I know that if I did so, I'd always look back and wonder what if... and your story seems to support that.

Good luck.

Hacker15e

All it takes is one furlough or bankruptcy during the next 20 years for his path -- with the guaranteed Big Blue retirement check monthly -- to be seen as the better decision.

The "stay until retirement or go as soon as your UPT commitment is up" question has been analyzed and debated a lot on here over the years, especially back in the 2006-2007 timeframe, the last "mini hiring boom."

Ultimately the lifetime income employment numbers come back essentially a wash between the two. Thus, that means that QOL and lifestyle are essentially the primary reasons to choose one career path over another...unless you count the ability to count on that pension check and the peace of mind that gives a lot of folks when the next economic downturn or round of furloughs pops up.