Originally Posted by
bizzlepilot
I have two friends who couldn't air refuel to save their lives. Never busted a check ride but they couldn't upgrade either, languishing in copilot hell.
One is at a major now and loving life. Not much air refueling in fifi or guppy.
Keep pressing on, you can make it if your record isn't spotted with failures. If you did bust evals, then hope you can get a regional gig (I'm not sure how they look at busts, I've gotta think they are slightly more accepting than the majors). And if you do, be happy with a regional gig, get that 121 experience and pass all of those evals and then see what happens when the world runs out of pilots in 4 years.
Just my thoughts. Take it for what it is worth.
Some can't hook up with a tanker for the required duration and some can't fly 3' formation. Some can do both very well but can't fly raw data instrument approaches (yeah I know old school stuff) to save their lives. I think it's all psychological but who really knows why.
Thank your lucky stars for the likes of the Airbus, flight directors, automation, and even HUD/HGS to aid the WDs. Fortunately, airline flying is just point to point mostly-mindless flying and ex-mil bubbas will do just fine. As the saying goes, it's hours of boredom interrupted by moments of sheer terror. With so many retirements coming up, one should be able to land a job with some perseverance.