Tolpin

Thanks again for all the great advice. I do have my "house" in order. Letters of Rec are on hand, internal recs are waiting for me to apply, applications are completed, TAP class attended and Interview Prep in progress, Civilian Passport has been applied for... The passport is probably the limiting factor for me putting in my applications right now.

You guys are right I am concerned that my recency of heavy jet experience may be a detractor and I am prepared to go to the Regionals. I have not flown military aircraft since June 14. Although I have been instructing at the PPL and SP levels in a DA-20 and 172. While I realize this may not be as good a turbojet flight time I do hope it will help my chances. What else could I do right now to improve my odds?

I do know of several guys in a similar situation who have been out of the cockpit for two to three years that have been hired. It's not many, but it has happened.

PRS Guitars

Glad to hear you have your ducks in a row, I didn't get that read from the initial post.

I'm not sure this is kosher, but I submitted my applications (UAL/DAL) with my Military (maroon) passport only while I waited for my expedited civilian passport to come through. I figured they wouldn't be looking at it and just needed a valid number in there. I also figured that by the time I interviewed (if called) I'd have the civilian one in hand. Again, I don't know if that hurt me in the process, (never heard from DAL) and UAL didn't call me until long after the passport had been fixed, and I'd been hired elsewhere. I highly doubt that it was a factor.

Good luck

Hacker15e

Just as a reference point, at the UAL military hiring webinar earlier this year, Susan Witt, the HR manager of pilot recruitment/hiring, noted that United wanted to see more than 100 hours in the last 12 months "in something more complex than a 172".

Yes, there are some folks who have been hired in the last year or two without currency/recency, but I'd consider that the exception rather than the rule.

I would continue to fly as much GA as you can and hope that you'll get a call, but since "hope is not a plan", be financially and emotionally prepared to work for a regional to get recurrent. Don't neglect to put in applications at the LCCs, too, as they're going to be better than the regionals in terms of pay and work rules.

Albief15

I have advised many guys with currency issues or timing issues (out of the military but no legacy offers) to strongly consider the regionals. The pay is low, but the experience and 121 stink usually get you called within 12-18 months. It also opens up pass travel for family, and offers a few perks. I am NOT saying you have "pay our dues" to get here....I hope you are terminal leave at the airline you want to retire from when you get out (like I was...) Making that happen, however, is a ballet of timing that sometimes doesn't happen. A good college ROTC buddy thought his window at joining the airlines was over because for family reasons he took a staff job and school job before he retired, then spend 5 years in business. The fact he was a former KC-135/T-37 IP/EP showed he was ONCE a pilot however, and a solid regional took him. He sailed through training (he took it seriously) and is now on the line. He can drive to work, so being on reserve on first year pay is not perfect but certainly tolerable.

And when that interviewer asks "can this guy do the job?" or "does he REALLY want to be here?", what will those last 6, 12, or 18 months flying an RJ say? I expect him to be at Delta or join me at FedEx within a year or two....

Sputnik

I guess thats why United never called. Fwiw, my retirement job was flying SR20s. Yes it was military, but day VFR piston.

Everyone in that unit that got out got hired, DAL and SWA. Dont sweat the stuff you can"t control.

As to your timing issue, my recollection was that DAL wanted the date you were no kidding avail for training. As in, retirement submitted and approved. They're kind of big on honesty. I wouldnt fudge it.

rickair7777

Yes, don't sell leave. You get more value in allowances/benefits by serving out your terminal leave. Plus if you come down with some serious medical condition, they'll med-hold you for treatment (probably won't be flying anyway in that case). Only downside to terminal leave is if WW-III breaks out you might get stop-lossed (but they can recall recent retirees anyway).

Heed

Bill Kennedy said the same thing at WAI back in March. The "something more complex than a 172" crushed my smokes. Following the hiring brief, I went up to talk to him as I was working a staff job and flight instructing in pistons on the side "hoping" it would count for my currency.

His quote to me was "..as long as your getting paid to fly..." that will count toward the currency requirement. I felt better, but I was still very concerned about my application being competitive.

I did eventually get an invite to interview and was hired with only piston currency with my last grey jet flight four years prior. I had invites from both UAL and DAL.

Each application is unique and run through a gonkulator with unknown algorithms, so it's hard to extrapolate my experience to yours. My guess is that after 20 or more years in the USAF and being at the Pentagon means you're a experienced and well rounded aviator with IP/Eval experience and you have a decent shot at using the piston instruction time to cross the 100 hour currency bar.

Keep pushing on the current path, but start expanding your options for a backup plan as others have mentioned.

If you consider the ISR contract flying, my understanding is that you will need some inside help with securing that job. They pay very well, but you will be gone about half the year with several rotations.

If you look at the regionals, you will get snatched up very quickly and end up in training also very quickly when you drop an app with them. I know of several folks personally that have gone this route, so it is a great option to consider if your terminal leave date is fast approaching and you still haven't gotten the call. Lots of options in this arena with varying bonuses, bases, etc. As Albie mentions, this a great option to enhance your resume and has worked for several folks I know that lacked only currency.

Good luck hunting.

vanhuffel

Also, don't let a lack of ATP stop you from going to the regionals. SkyWest and ExpressJet will both give you the ATP for free (three extra weeks of academics and you get it with your checkride). I'm retired as of Sept 01 and already have >100 hours 121 with a solid regional. I am really enjoying the experience.

Grumble

This. If you retire in January, your apps should have been in a year ago. You are behind the curve Tolpin.

Tolpin

Guys this is great help.

Grumble- I'm retirement eligible in January not retiring in January. My exit made a little earlier then planned by my position on the 365 list.

So, anyone else have thoughts on the regionals? Is it a viable plan to put apps in with the Majors wait a month or two to see if there is any interest.... If not apply to the regionals? Or am overlooking something.



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