Originally Posted by Flymeaway

Just curious on people's thoughts on this...

I'm married to an Air Force officer who just got orders to the Air Force Academy in COS, and who will be eligible for retirement after this assignment. I have about 2600TT, 900 of which is turbine helo (military). Another 800 PIC turboprop instructor (military), and the rest light SEL piston training/CFI (civilian).

I do have my ATP MEL, but no 121 or 135 experience and very minimal part 91 corporate flying. I have maybe 100 hours in the past 12 months.

I know I meet mins, but am I realistically competitive at Skywest?

Also, while I really want to get back into flying full time, my wife is full time military and I can't just leave my family without a father either. Being a CFI for so long is really stagnating my career, but everything I read on these forums about commuting at a regional is that it's the worst of the worst and you can say good-bye to your family. Is it realistic to get reserve in KDEN or KCOS out of training, and stay on reserve there until I could hold a line at one of those 2 airports?

I realize that reserve means little money and little flight time compared to holding a line, but it would likely be more of both than I make now as a part time CFI, and I'd still get to see my kids.

I also understand that what employers are looking for is a 23 year old with 10,000 hours and an attitude that says, "Fly me, fly me, fly me for no pay, no time off, no benefits, just give me hours." Unfortunately, that's not me anymore. Is anyone making Skywest work with kids, but without a stay-at-home spouse?

Thank you everyone for your time.