I had dinner last night with a bunch of Corp types from another board and I just have to say that I'm very impressed by some of the stuff you Corp types put up with. I was across the table from a gentleman currently on a contract for a mid sized three engine aircraft through January, with his principal picking up a large three engine aircraft after that and my pilot friend just sitting there saying "I hope he lets me fly it." Heck of a way to plan for retirement.

I can definitely hear your concern about age and what not (and feel it myself as I'm 35) but I do think you have some advantages in your position that you're undervaluing, chiefly the fact that you've already been there and done that at the major airline level. If I were you, I'd become reacquainted as quickly as possible with anyone you ever flew with in 121 and see where they're at and whether or not they could be an internal for you. Secondary to that I might hit up some job fairs as well. Point being I'd approach it as a networking challenge rather than an impressing the reviewer of resumes challenge. I've seen you around enough on other boards to know that guys whom you interact with think highly of you as a person and what you bring to the table. I'd make use of those assets.

At the same time it could be advantageous for you to use your Corp experience to look around for a different department. Since you've now been in that market segment a long time finding a job in a smaller department with a more defined path to larger equipment and few layers between you and management could be a profitable move as well. Additionally, perhaps moving to a different employer whose raison d'être isn't low prices might have some more longer term stability.

In short, I'm just a guy still flying pistons around trying to make it into the bottom floor of the regionals so take my advice with a grain of salt. My primary message to you however is I think you undersell yourself somewhat. Given what I know of your history that doesn't surprise me. Truthfully, I do it to myself as well.

Bottom line, do a search on this site and others for Albie's article "Avoiding Square Corners," get some of Cheryl Cage's aviation job search books and take them to heart, and network, network, network with the vast array of contacts you already have. I think you may be surprised. It may take a year or three, but I think it's possible.