Originally Posted by
Tummy
I'm separating in June of 2015. Right now, I have ~1350 hours. I flew 500 hours last year, so I'm hoping that over the next 16 months I can make it to 2000 hours. All of my time is single engine (T-34C, T-45C, AV-8B, T-6B).
The ExpressJet recruiter said that they could hire me with 25 hours of multi engine time and give me the ATP as part of the training, so I'm going to need to buy at least 25 hours of multi time. Is it worth it for me to buy the remaining 25 hours of multi time in order to get the ATP, or with my total time, am I going to have to go to a regional first anyway, so I might as well save the money and get the multi time and ATP as part of their training?
Most important... knock out your ATP written ASAP (before Aug and the new rules take over). Once you hit 1500 hrs get your ATP practical done. Yes I know you can get a restricted ATP as a military guy, but why bother since you are talking Summer 2015 and will easily hit 1500 hrs long before that. Have all of your Apps in with Majors and Regionals 6-9 months out at least. START TO NETWORK! 2000 hrs as a Military guy with mostly PIC and plenty of IP time will eventually get you a call from Majors... "eventually" (get those internal Recs... NETWORK). I've heard of guys with 2000 hrs getting calls, but most were 90% fighter time, so if you are waiting for that call from a Major it may take a year or two. If you don't get a call from a Major and can't get a ME full time Guard/Reserve gig you can definitely get on with a Regional. I know some military guys with 1500-2000 hrs who put in Apps with Regionals and got a call within 24 hrs... pick a few of the "good ones" and put in Apps 6 months out; you'll definitely get some calls. Pay will suck, but it will be a mutual benefit for them to get an experienced FO and for you to get 700-800 hrs of ME jet and 121 time in a year while you are waiting to get a call from AA, DAL, UA, SWA. I wouldn't waste $12K on 50 hrs of ME time just yet.