Originally Posted by
akulahunter
Greetings! I have read through the forums and noticed a few posts that are similar or in the same realm as mine, but not quite close enough to really help...
I am retiring in Feb and looking to transition to the Airlines. I have ~1350 hours TT (not counting any specific airline mil-2-civ conversion). 1000+ of that time is in a ME Turboprob (P-3) with ~400 PIC time. I just completed my ATP written and have a graduate degree (MBA).
My short term plan is to fly 20-25 hours in the next couple of months and complete my ATP Practical in early October.
My questions are these:
(1) What is the best/easiest route to one of the big guys?
(2) Should I hold out for a larger airline or go through a regional to build time?
(3) Is it worth it for me to use my GI Bill to: (a) build ME TT or (b) go through a company like HP to get a 73 type?
(4) What is a realistic expectation for timeframe to get a job with one of the legacy/majors?
(5) If a regional is needed, what is a realistic timeframe for hire?
Thank you for the assistance!
This is just my personal summation, and some may disagree, but having seen this before, it's what I can pass along:
1.
What is the best/easiest route to one of the big guys? Go to a regional or big-airplane ACMI cargo carrier, or Allegiant (if you live in or near one of their domiciles; the trips are 95% out-and-backs, so you can't commute). You don't have any 121 time, and you will get there faster with 121 time. Plus, the airlines want to see not just currency, but jet currency if possible.
2.
Should I hold out for a larger airline or go through a regional to build time? Apply to both, but go to a regional if you haven't been in a turbine for more than 3 months. Plus, as you mentioned, you need to build time, especially if you only have 400 PIC. One exception is jetBlue. They would likely take you in a second.
3.
Is it worth it for me to use my GI Bill to: (a) build ME TT or (b) go through a company like HP to get a 73 type? Don't burn the GI Bill yet. I'd wait on the 73 type until you have 1,000 total PIC. The only carrier you need the 73 type for is SWA, and they won't look at you with such low PIC time. As you get close to 1,000-1,500 hours, go get it. Other majors may see that type and assume you really want to go to SWA. Don't give them that ammunition (esp. jetBlue and Allegiant).
4.
What is a realistic expectation for timeframe to get a job with one of the legacy/majors? You might get lucky, being ex-military. Delta would be your best bet, but I don't know if your low PIC time will hurt. The fact that it's P-3 doesn't help, but doesn't necessarily hurt. United would be right behind Delta, but they are going gang-busters right now with highly qualified regional captains.
5.
If a regional is needed, what is a realistic timeframe for hire? As far as getting hired by a regional, some are hiring on the phone. If your apps are in and accurate, you could be in class in a week.
In sum: I'd go to a regional (try Allegiant first, as they fly main-line equipment), and get some 121 time, maybe some management time (check airman, chief pilot, sim instructor, etc.), and get your PIC time up as much as possible, as fast as possible. To upgrade quickly, you will likely have to go to a lesser-tier or smaller regional (PSA, TSA, Silver) and avoid the larger ones with much longer upgrade times (this makes Allegiant a tough choice: you get the experience in a larger mainline-sized plane, and get paid more, but you're several years from an upgrade).
If you get on with an ACMI carrier like Atlas or Kalitta, the PIC time is nowhere near as important, because of the overall experience (international, some dangerous places, crazy schedules, etc.), which tells the majors you can--and will--do just about anything.
At the same time, start building a network of guys and gals at the regionals and the majors, and keep applying to the majors. You're going to learn that this is a very fickle business, and there isn't always a lot of rhyme or reason to it, so approach each job/job offer as though it is the last one you will ever get.
Good luck!