I sent this to a few mil buddies recently, it's applicable to other lurkers out there thinking about making the transition. It's geared towards United, but applicable everywhere.
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This is after you have read Albies original post to this thread as well as his "Timing your exit" post.
http://www.airlinepilotforums.com/military/56541-timing-your-exit-2011-update.html
You may already be behind on a few items, but everything he says is spot freakin' on so start playing catch up now.
-FAA 1st class medical, get it, and make sure you keep getting it every six months (it has to be within 6 months when you show up for the interview).
-Social Security Card (4-6 weeks if you need a new one)
-High school and College transcripts (1-3 weeks)
-Passport (4 weeks if you pay for rush deliery),
-FCC licence (2-4 weeks)
-Driving record (I brought a copy from the state)
-Start getting all of that stuff together, now. Resume, keep it updated. Application, finish it, polish it, keep it updated.
If you need help writing a resume,
www.aerocrewsolutions.com can help. I thought mine was nice already, they made it better.
-Recommendations, it's never too early to start. Nor is it to early to start networking old squadron buddies, DH's, CO's, etc.
-Interview prep, I recommend both ECI and ACS. I used both. This was my first job interview in probably 15 years, you may be more comfortable and feel you don't need it, over to you.
-Suits, shoes, ties, shirts... etc. Get them, tailor them, make sure they're ready to go at a moment's notice.
Do you see a trend here? The point being, as Aaron spells out... when you get the call you want to be ready to go.
My call and intervew literally happened that fast. I got the call on a Wednesday to verify info, took the online personality assessment that afternoon, got the call Thursday to setup an interview, and I was able to take the first one available which was the next week at 0800. I flew in the day prior so I could relax, prepare and get some sim preparation in. Not trying to blow my own horn here, this is all just following Ablies advice, but I can't imagine trying to make that tight of a turn if I hadn't been preparing starting a year ago. I already had everything listed above, I just spent two days polishing my paperwork, making scans (put those Power point skills to use and scan/edit/print your paperwork vice crappy photo copies), making things nice and doing some final interview prep over the phone and via web meeting. It's stressful enough when the call does come (and all of you WILL get a call), so start getting ready now.
Sim prep, over to you. I bought 2 hours of box time the day prior, and it was $1100. Was it worth it? Abso-freaking-lutely. For me anyway. Someone smarter than me said sim prep goes like this: "Damn that was expensive." You get the job, and never think of it again. Or "Damn that was expensive," you don't get the job... but you don't hate yourself for not preparing further. Over to you on if you need it, I waffled on the cost and whether to do it, but you're shooting for a multi-million dollar career here... and I couldn't have performed doing it cold. Some guys can.
One last thought, the interview starts when you walk out of the house to the airport, and doesn't end until you get home. I can't stress this enough. If you're not a natural dick head then this isn't an issue, but you don't know who you're doing to meet along the way before or after the interview.
If anyone needs a testimonial to Albie, ECI or ACS, I got the job.
