stormyseas

I am active duty Coast Guard, prior C-130 pilot. My last flight was in June 2012. I was a co-pilot and I have about 380 hours logged. I had to change careers within the Coast Guard to care for my daughter as a single parent, it was very difficult decision for me and I still owed the 8 years payback for flight school.

I will be eligible for retirement in 2020 and my daughter will be an adult; I would like to start flying again. I have my FAA license (multi engine - instrument). I don't have any recency (the single parent thing makes paying for recreational flying a challenge) and I am very rusty.

Any advise on how to get back in the cockpit after such a long time out would be appreciated. Thanks!

FLY6584

This is an unusual case, but there is a chance you would qualify for restricted ATP minimums based on the fact you went through a military flight school. Now this would bring the minimums down to 750hrs which then you can either fly part time banner towing, aerial photography, etc until you get out in 2020 and then go to work for a regional airline.

Is there a possibility to do an inter service transfer to an Air Force guard/reserve Herc unit? Ideally if the family situation allowed it then getting back to military flying is your best bet.

Albief15

Here are two data points:

Datapoint 1 is a guy who got his navy wings (like you did), got jets out of school, and made it through A-4s at Meridian back in the ealry 90s (drawdown years). EA-6s didn't go as well, and he was eliminated from training. During that period reflowing into a P-3/C-130 track wasn't an option, and he left the Navy. However, with the NEW ATP rules with 750 hours and navy wings...he qualified. After years outside the cockpit (but still teaching and flying GA) he got his 750 hours, his ATP, and is now at a very good regional. He'll be at a major carrier in 2-3 years. He has connections in the industry and is a fantastic guy.

Story 2 is a guy who left flying back in 04/05 to take an assignment close to home to help an ailing parent. Retires 06-07-ish, right in the middle of the big downturn and retirement age change. Despite being a KC-135 AC/IP, he figures the ship has sailed. Nobody is hiring, and after he goes "stale" figures its "game over". I checked in with him in 2015 and caught up, advising him that regionals might still consider him if he could get a little GA currency. Again--knowing folks helps--but a few phone calls and a little flying and he is off to the regionals (with a GREAT "glad to just be here..." attitude) and is again thrilled to be flying. He was at the regional maybe 8-10 months when FedEx called, and he will start in our next class.

I have never seen this demanding industry throwing out so many mulligans and second chances. If you are willing to roll up your sleeves, do what it takes for a couple years at the regional level, you could end up at a legacy. Even if you don't, working at a regional where pay has improved and contracts are better than 10 years ago is still a good job. In fact, my KC-135 bubba was prepared to stay there and simply enjoy what it offered if that was what was required. Instead, it worked out much faster than he dreamed it would.

In your situation, you seem more like the first case than the second, but you can still get into this industry. If I can help, send me a PM and we'll talk offline.

Otterbox

Long periods of non flying isnt a deal breaker anymore. It was over 3 years since I flew and I was hired without Anyone blinking an eye... I have friends who haven't flown for over 5 years and companies ask for a little time flying to get recurrent so they can hire... If you've got all of your commercial license, look into getting your CFI using your GI bill and Start getting back into flying part time. As long as you're doing some sort of flying and eventually get to your R-ATP mins, you'll be hireable at a regional in 4 years and eventually make it to a major airline... Maybe not a legacy and maybe not right away but assuming you retire between 38-45, you'll have 20+ years to make it to the show and spend some time there.

stormyseas

Thanks for the advice and the similar success stories! Looks like I need to figure out the best way to get to 750 over the next few years... At least I know it's possible, thanks again

rickair7777

Bottom line, you have military wings and no adverse flying history. That puts you ahead of all the civilians once you get the numbers on the board.

Admin item: When the time comes for majors, you may want to attend job fairs to speak with recruiters in person. Otherwise it's possible that the wrong assumption might be made about your abbreviated mil flying career before you even get called for an interview

bkmoore

I might hold the record here, but your experience is similar to mine. Nine years on the ground (three years FAC tour, 2 years Masters degree, and 4 years working as an engineer). Got current, passed the ATP-written and now have a job offer from a regional and am looking forward to getting started. If I could do it, anybody can.

Snaplock

First off, I didn't want to start a new thread so I'm posting my question here.

I'm a current pointy nose IP/EP and former FAIP. I've got ~2,300 total time and have been working hard on all of my apps. Looking through all of the various requirements I noticed that one company, FedEx, is looking for people with 1,000-1,500 TPIC in aircraft that are >12,500 GTOW. All of my time is in trainers and fighters. However, due to having been a FAIP and how slow time building is in pointy jets I have <1,000 hrs in anything that is >12,500 GTOW. FedEx is my #1 choice right now so with how I am reading the requirements I don't even meet their mins. Even with a military time multiplier I come in under 1,000 hrs for what they are looking for.

Does anyone have any knowledge or experience with these FedEx requirements? Has anyone here been hired at FedEx or another airline while not meeting the stated minimums? I guess I'm asking if FedEx and the majors evaluate military time differently, and if they will call someone with my stats, even though I don't technically meet the minimums?

I appreciate any help and advice!

rickair7777

FDX has been in a position to be pretty selective for a while now, I have no specific insight but I kind of doubt they would call anyone who doesn't meet their published mins.

Wouldn't hang my hat on that.

FDXLAG

I think the 1,000 PIC >12.5 is preferred and not a requirement. Do you have an application in? Have you paid for any expert advice? I would, that is my advice.