AFSOCFlyr

Haha too bad Congress kept us from getting your airplanes when ACC was done with them. I could have used those ME hours!

WARich

Amen brother.......Great platform.....as I always say 95% boredom followed by some of the coolest *hit you could ever imagine....I'm proud to have done it.......best deployment I've done....

ApachePhil

6500 mil hours. I chose the Warrant Officer path, so was able to stay in the cockpit my entire career and I was lucky enough to have served in busy units. I did have a break in service and flew 2000+ hours of FAR121 and FAR135 EMS Helicopters.

As you transition to the civilian world, I suggest casting a wide net. Apply now, update often, make your applications PERFECT, and attend the big 2-3 Career Fairs annually. When you are 6-8 weeks from ETS, and if you haven't heard anything from a major/legacy, broaden your search to the 2-3 regional airlines closest to where you live. The regional airlines will call within a week or two of hitting the submit button. Check out the guard/reserves...IMO it is best to commute to "work" rather than commute to drill. Don't commute to both.

Good luck!

AFSOCFlyr

Thanks for the advice! I have my ATP practical when I get back stateside and then I'll get those apps in and keep them updated. I hear they aren't particular about the formatting at all..

cruiseclimb

I was a rotorwing guy, then UC-12s with the Navy, B-350s with L3 for 3 years, and then a corporate jet, and was still told to go join the regionals.. I signed on with Trans States a few months ago, and to be honest, it's been a great education. I've learned a lot. It's a great training base for airline flying. They now have a bunch of us there from military C-12s, and want more. They want to make it a military transition airline.. By that, the recruiters want to help guys get from the military, to the majors.. They get a year or so out of you in the mean time. They will get you your ATP, and help get you to a major. Upgrade is fast there (about one year or less). PM me if you want some info..

Julio

Either way you need to start rushing Grd/Reserve units.

Work towards a retirement and have something to stay current in and fall back on if the industry sh!ts the bed.

F224

We are early in this hiring cycle. The majors will be looking for the most diversified overall backgrounds. The HR and flight ops departments both know that the first third of the next group of pilots that are hired will wind up getting the quickest upgrades to Captain, will become the standards and training Captains and some will wind up in management.

Good for the guys hired early, I was hired at the peak of the industry wide 83-91 wave at NWA, we are not even into the middle of the first third of the group that will be hired in this wave. Unlike the 83-91 time frame, more over age 40 pilots are being hired this cycle, meaning a more consistent turnover rate on the seniority lists in the future.

In 87-88, there was a huge fight over the 1,000 hour TT F16/F15/F14 guys. Minimums became "hoped for 500 hours of quality time" as part of your total of 1,000 hours. It only got worst over the next two years.

Stay positive, keep improving your resume and be persistent but not a pest.

AFSOCFlyr

I could easily see the regionals as great way to transition from one world to the other. And folks don't get me wrong, I have nothing against going to the regionals for awhile if need be. Granted, I have a couple of years still..its just about time to start figuring out where things stand.

Cruise, I was considering the L3 gig as a potential avenue myself, but it seems like I'd be better off getting in some Part 121 time instead.

Thanks for all the info!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk