Getting back in the saddle?
05-04-2016, 08:48 AM
#1
On Reserve
Thread Starter
Joined APC: May 2016
Position: CRJ FO
Posts: 13
Getting back in the saddle?
Hi,
first post here. I'm an ex-Hornet guy who got out in 2009. Decided the timing wasn't quite right for applying to the airlines, so did my Masters degree instead and have been working in a non-aviation field ever since. With six- going on seven years of not touching an airplane, is there any realistic chance of being able to get back into the cockpit? I have signed up for an ATP-CTP course and have enough total time for an R-ATP license. I am 42 years old, but still feel young and am still able to learn.
-Brian
first post here. I'm an ex-Hornet guy who got out in 2009. Decided the timing wasn't quite right for applying to the airlines, so did my Masters degree instead and have been working in a non-aviation field ever since. With six- going on seven years of not touching an airplane, is there any realistic chance of being able to get back into the cockpit? I have signed up for an ATP-CTP course and have enough total time for an R-ATP license. I am 42 years old, but still feel young and am still able to learn.
-Brian
05-04-2016, 09:01 AM
#2
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2014
Posts: 824
Originally Posted by bkmoore
Hi,
first post here. I'm an ex-Hornet guy who got out in 2009. Decided the timing wasn't quite right for applying to the airlines, so did my Masters degree instead and have been working in a non-aviation field ever since. With six- going on seven years of not touching an airplane, is there any realistic chance of being able to get back into the cockpit? I have signed up for an ATP-CTP course and have enough total time for an R-ATP license. I am 42 years old, but still feel young and am still able to learn.
-Brian
first post here. I'm an ex-Hornet guy who got out in 2009. Decided the timing wasn't quite right for applying to the airlines, so did my Masters degree instead and have been working in a non-aviation field ever since. With six- going on seven years of not touching an airplane, is there any realistic chance of being able to get back into the cockpit? I have signed up for an ATP-CTP course and have enough total time for an R-ATP license. I am 42 years old, but still feel young and am still able to learn.
-Brian
05-04-2016, 09:03 AM
#3
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2007
Position: Ending the Backlog one claim at a time
Posts: 486
I did it after getting out in '09. Traded in my government cubicle for an office with a view, so to speak. However I used my GI Bill to get a JD and LLM in aviation and space law. I let a regional cover the cost of the ATP and an quickly gaining currency and 121 experience. It's been a blast. Additionally, with your experience and presumed maturity and positive attitude, you will be a breath of fresh air to whomever you chose to work for. The word on the street is that the early to mid 20's new hires have seriously entitled attitudes that are not backed up by experience or skill. (some of the younger mil guys fall into this category too, unfortunately) Feel free to PM
05-04-2016, 10:06 AM
#4
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2015
Posts: 221
Originally Posted by bkmoore
Hi,
first post here. I'm an ex-Hornet guy who got out in 2009. Decided the timing wasn't quite right for applying to the airlines, so did my Masters degree instead and have been working in a non-aviation field ever since. With six- going on seven years of not touching an airplane, is there any realistic chance of being able to get back into the cockpit? I have signed up for an ATP-CTP course and have enough total time for an R-ATP license. I am 42 years old, but still feel young and am still able to learn.
-Brian
first post here. I'm an ex-Hornet guy who got out in 2009. Decided the timing wasn't quite right for applying to the airlines, so did my Masters degree instead and have been working in a non-aviation field ever since. With six- going on seven years of not touching an airplane, is there any realistic chance of being able to get back into the cockpit? I have signed up for an ATP-CTP course and have enough total time for an R-ATP license. I am 42 years old, but still feel young and am still able to learn.
-Brian
Best of luck,
DD
05-07-2016, 04:38 AM
#5
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2013
Position: Left
Posts: 636
If you want to get back into flying, the most it would take is motivation to get rolling again. Besides your ATP course, I would get current at a local FBO with light aircraft rental.
Overall I would do the fast-track as planned. With a solid base to build upon, you should be back up to speed before long.
Overall I would do the fast-track as planned. With a solid base to build upon, you should be back up to speed before long.
05-07-2016, 04:54 AM
#6
China Visa Applicant
Joined APC: Oct 2006
Position: Midfield downwind
Posts: 1,919
As was mentioned, nearly all of the regional airlines have CTP and ATP courses that they will pay for as part of the employment offer and newhire training. Some of them will require you to be "current", as in go to your local FBO and do a Flight Review and (possibly) an Instrument Proficiency Check before showing up to training.
Pick the regional that works best for you and submit an application. It is a buyer's market out there, and they'd love to get someone with your experience on board as a newhire.
Pick the regional that works best for you and submit an application. It is a buyer's market out there, and they'd love to get someone with your experience on board as a newhire.
05-07-2016, 06:33 AM
#7
On Reserve
Thread Starter
Joined APC: May 2016
Position: CRJ FO
Posts: 13
Thanks for the encouragement. I'm using the post-911 benefits for the ATP-CTP course at ATPFlight School in Dallas. I'll get recurrent and then see what options I have. My family is in Europe, so it doesn't really matter where I land at a regional. The only priority would be making enough to hold over financially and building time quickly to move into a major. My current job in Europe is not bad, I'm home by 5 PM and get six weeks off per year, but I do not see any opportunity for advancement and I miss having an office with a view. Flying in Europe would be nice, but the market is not very good and I would have to spend quite a bit on the EASA license with no guarantee that I would be able to use it.
05-07-2016, 08:47 AM
#9
China Visa Applicant
Joined APC: Oct 2006
Position: Midfield downwind
Posts: 1,919
Most non-current ex-military guys, in the current market, will spend a year or two at a regional before getting picked up by a major/legacy. There are a lot of variables to that equation, including what the airline actually defines as currency/recency, and the background of the applicant, of course.
Some will spend a lot less time than that (I know some called for the interview the same week they hit 100 hours and updated their application), but if you are financially and emotionally prepared for 24 months at a regional, you'll be in good shape.
Some will spend a lot less time than that (I know some called for the interview the same week they hit 100 hours and updated their application), but if you are financially and emotionally prepared for 24 months at a regional, you'll be in good shape.
05-08-2016, 01:03 AM
#10
Banned
Joined APC: May 2016
Posts: 38
Originally Posted by Extenda
As soon as you get your ATP any regional would hire you the next day. Then you could build a couple hundred hours while you update your apps to the majors. Fighter guy with a masters degree is the prototypical top tier candidate for the legacies.
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