Originally Posted by
MooseAg03
Gents,
I have a feeling there will soon be quite a few guys in my same boat, so I wanted to pose this question to those who have recently made the jump to the airlines. With the Air Force now requiring ADSCs for any re-qualification or formal upgrade training, I will be separating next year without attaining IP in the C-17 (previous RPA IP).
How competitive would someone be for any of the legacy, Fed Ex, or SWA with only about 2,000 hrs total time with 1,700 of that being C-17 and somewhere between 800-1,000 C-17 PIC? Already have ATP complete. No SAFSO, DO, or any of that experience, just the standard flt/cc and shop chief jobs.
I'm thinking I may have to do a touch and go at a regional to get some 121 time to make myself more competitive, but I do recall seeing a spreadsheet with United airlines hiring data from a few years ago and one of their new hires was a mil guy who had barely over 1,500 hours.
Any info would be appreciated for myself and several bros who will be in the same situation.
Most of the 1500 hour guys going straight to majors seem to be fighter bro’s, but apply everywhere. I have heard of 2-3k heavy guys getting called. Hiring has just started picking up, retirements are just starting, and the pool of qualified mil guys has been draining, so over the next year you may be ok with those times depending on the rest of the resume/app/recency. FWIW, JetBlue has historically advertised competitive mins as 2k for fighter guys, 3-4K for mil transport guys, and 5-6k for civilian guys...can’t vouch for other airlines. Apply everywhere, line up a regional (or LCC or cargo) backup job that hopefully you don’t have to take. Even if you do, it isn’t that bad. First year pay at a regional with the bonuses they are giving out isn’t that far behind first year pay at majors. It’s not good, but it’s way better than it was a few years ago. And a 121 job/type will help with application points, and it’s good experience anyway.
I suggest guard/reserve as well, for the medical, retirement, and safety net, but that’s a personal call that may not be worth it to you and your family. Medical bills can add up though depending on your family size and medical issues, as most airlines’ medical plans aren’t that great, and the trend seems to be getting worse.