Thread: Separation timing from Active Duty
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Old 02-06-2014 | 07:40 AM
  #38  
Rusty17
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Originally Posted by dicec2
I'm a Navy soon-to-be-retiring with about a year to go. I've got around 1800 hours with around 1000 PIC in P-3's and T-6's. Getting my ATP in a month or so. Standard question: how competitive am I for the majors? And is a year out sufficient time to be ready? I've been told my crew-based background in the P-3 will help, along with the multi-engine and having flown internationally. Honestly, what's my best bet here? Any advice would be great.
Dice... check out the Regional vs Other thread here in the military section to see what some guys in a similar situation are doing; you have a few options. I was looking at punching out this year via the TERA option (was denied) and got some advice from a few old bosses who are Capts for Majors. CheapTrick is right... your numbers as they are right now meet the mins for many Majors, but right now probably aren't very competitive. You would likely get a call eventually, but there are lots of 3000-5000 hr military guys out there with Apps in who haven't been called yet so they will make it through those guys first.

If you are still flying now I would say to fly your arse off and add as many IP/PIC hours as you can. Depending on your financial/family situation, with your totals and an ATP you should have no problem at all getting picked up by a good Regional where you will easily add 600-700 hrs of Total Time in a year to your resume/Apps, plus gain some good 121 experience as well. Have your Apps in with every Major and update your hours every month. It’s a big financial hit to go from Military Officer pay to $20-25K with a Regional, but if you can get by on that with your pension and maybe some savings then logging all that Regional time will put you right in the mix as far as being competitive with military experience. Not having to cram in 8-10 days of Guard/Res days on your 10-12 days off a month may help make the family life a little more bearable if you do have a wife/kiddos at home. Yes, life will suck for a year or so, but if your dream/goal has been to fly for a Major since you were a kid then it will be worth it
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