Sliceback

Had a conversation on this subject today. Guys were talking about chasing a regional FO job if they get no traction. So what is so great in your current job that six more months of it might get you hired? Or is six months of 121 FO a better resume bump?

Current resume - 2000 hrs fighter

Option 1 - 2150-2200 hrs fighter

Option 2 - 2050-2075 hrs fighter
300 hrs 121 FO
RJ type rating

What's worth more, another 100 hrs of fighter time (5% increase) or getting hired by a 121 company, a small jet type rating, and a couple hundred hours of 121 regional FO experience?

tunes

Option 2.

Option 1 gives you minimal more time, option 2 checks a new box and its a big box

Indy

That's no brainier- Option 2.

The only thing the Big 3 like more than mil pilots are mil pilots with 121 experience.

Jughead135

What you're missing is the time lag. Put in apps everywhere; you don't actually have a choice to make until you have two or more offers in hand. If nothing else, interviewing at the Regionals will give you some practice for interviewing at your target Legacy(ies), a skill you likely have not honed in the military (I certainly hadn't, despite several selective-hire jobs for which I "interviewed" while on AD). Interview prep only goes so far, there's no substitute for the real thing.

Further, you may get lucky and get a call from your target airline 10 minutes after you send in your app--or, as others have posted, you may be waiting a lot longer than that. Why wouldn't you want to (a) get the Pt 121 / Regional box checked as soon as possible; (b) have a position in place right away to ensure some continuity of income (albeit not at a sustainable level); (c) get as early a seniority number at a Regional as possible (you don't want to be there very long, but you can't predict how quickly you'll move on--and every number counts, even over a matter of months)?

You asked for advice, and on one subject it's been unanimous: get started yesterday in order to put yourself in the best position long-term.

Factor

Based on my experience, I think Grumble is right on the money.

I just recently dropped applications at three regional airlines because I will be out of active duty in Jan. All three called for interviews within a week. My apps to the majors have been posted for 6 months, lots of internal recs and networking but no movement.

In hindsight I wish I could have applied sooner, but a combat deployment delayed my ATP. I don't have any friends that have had to go the regional route to get to the majors, all have been picked up in 3-6 months.

My stats are current weapons officer, ECIC prep, 2450TT, 2300 PIC, 275 in last 12.

AF2Navy

My response to this was formlated in my mind, i was ready to post, then i read what "jughead135" said, and its the exact same thing i was going to say.

What i am confused with -> if you know you are going to retire to avoid a 365, why haven't you already applied for retirement and got that process in motion? Not sure why you would delay that......especially with the current hiring trends.

You are concerned with you "availability" date, if the retirement process takes 120 days, list it as 120 days from when you put the request in.

Things do change, its ok to update an availability date as time goes on. Even after you receive a job offer, you will be asked, what is your availability date? At that time you could modify it once again, within reason(retirment process took 30 extra days,etc)

The common response you will hear is, "don't delay getting that senority number"

Ewok

That's what I'm doing now. I had TERA approved in June, updated my apps to the majors and started looking at something to do after I get out. I got the regional idea from some friends in my position and put my app into Horizon in Aug (I'm retiring to Spokane) got an interview and CJO at the end of Sep. If you read the other threads on here about who's hiring there is a slight slow down in hiring and class dates with Delta as they add sims. There is likely going to be some time between retiring and getting an interview so I think the regionals are a good place to keep flying without paying for it and get a little 121 experience.

Hacker15e

All great info so far, but just want to reiterate a couple things;

- Put applications in everywhere (including the regionals) *now*, but make sure you take your time to fill out AirlineApps/PilotCredentials and build your civilian flying resume well before you hit "send". Reach out to your folks sending you recommendations and have them give your application a once-over before you send it in. Have it well refined from the start. Although you will probably update/change/improve your applications many times, you don't want to put yourself out of the running because the first version of your app you submitted was a hastily-filled-out trainwreck. It might even be worth it to pay ECIC or Aero Crew to critique your app and resume before you hit send.

- All indications are that the majors like military guys who also have 121 experience. The crappy pay and ho-hum work rules mean that flying for a regional is going to suck a little both in your time away from home and the joke of a paycheck you'll get twice a month, but the boost it will give to your resume/application IMHO is more than worth it. We've all gutted through long deployments, so just about anything is tolerable for a year or two. Who knows...you might be pleasantly surprised at how much you enjoy the 121 life compared to life at Big Blue. You'll also learn a lot about the business and get some more stories for your TMAAT "bag of snowballs" as a residual benefit.

- Going to a regional is probably better than doing one of the overseas contractor jobs. I have an ex-squadronmate who was flying King Airs over in Afghanistan for a year after his retirement and was getting no calls. He saved up his pennies, and decided to try his chances at a regional out on the east coast. Within two months of hitting the line in that 121 job, he got an interview call at two majors. Might be coincidence...but it might also be that the majors like the 121 job on the app better than the contractor job.

- If you go to a regional, find one that is either a short commute or no commute at all to their junior base. Be emotionally and financially prepared to spend at least a year (and maybe more) at that company before moving on to the majors. There can be a long lag time between interview invite, interview, CJO, and starting a class date.

RhinoPherret

Tolpin,

I apologize for jumping in here and piggybacking on the "good as gold" information the folks have provided to you in this thread. I wanted to reemphasize a few of the points that Hacker15e made in his comments because they are SO IMPORTANT.

Put applications in everywhere (including the regionals) *now*, but make sure you take your time to fill out AirlineApps/PilotCredentials and build your civilian flying resume well before you hit "send". (Most important)

Reach out to your folks sending you recommendations and have them give your application a once-over before you send it in. Have it well refined from the start. (Also extremely important)

Going to a regional is probably better than doing one of the overseas contractor jobs. (Yes)

Be emotionally and financially prepared to spend at least a year (and maybe more) at that company before moving on to the majors. (It comes with the territory)

There can be a long lag time between interview invite, interview, CJO, and starting a class date. (Solid truth!)

Tolpin

This is all awesome! Thanks for all the great insight.
I've finished the applications and will have my friends review them. I've got ECIC scheduled. I'd like to write the letters of rec for those who have offered to sign one for me. Is there a good source for some samples?


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