Angry:

Some questions:

1. How much PIC do you have?
2. Are you getting passed-over because you got in trouble, or just hosed by the system?

The first question is whether you can get an ATP.

The second has to do with Guard/Reserve and/or airlines.

If your record is clean, being Passed-Over wouldn't be an impediment to the airlines. I have a good friend who got boned by a RIF in the early 90s---great guy, great pilot, and a good record. Due to some politics, pilots were racked in my squadron low on promotion boards because it was felt that their pilot-rating would get them promoted.

It didn't work for promotions. Still, he got on with a major carrier.

If there is something negative in your service record, it is probably a show-stopper for the Guard or Reserves.

If there is nothing negative, the Guard/Reserve is still going to ask themselves---and you---a lot of questions about "Why?"

There are Federally-mandated limits on length of service based on rank. For Major, it is 24 years, and LtCol, 28. I'm not sure about Captain, but I would guess 10 or 12. If you got passed over, and the Reserves hired you, three outcomes:

a. They hire you as a Capt, you don't get promoted, and you are forced out after a few years at the end of the limit of service.

b. You get promoted to Major and can stay until 24. Keep in mind, you have to be in the Guard/Res for at least a year to meet a promotion board (which means you might be bumping up against the service-limit for a Capt), and I'm not sure if you can meet a board if you've been passed over twice.

c. They can apply for a continuation in service exemption, but I believe they are rare.

Good luck; I hope this helps.