Originally Posted by
DaleHog
To the OP (and anyone else with SA!). Just curious what you ended up doing and how it's worked out?
I'm in a similar situation...A-10 guard guy with the following:
TT: ~1600
PIC: ~1400
A-10: ~1300 (All ME turbine)
A-10 IP
Got my ATP
I've had apps in at the Major's for about 6 mo. Currently a full-time tech, but considering heading off to the regionals to get the 121 time and the experience. However, with a family and 2-kids we're struggling with the big pay cut (they just upped the GS pilot pay and got the tech bonus). We're frugal, so we'd do it in a heartbeat if I was convinced it would get me to the majors faster.
Thoughts?
You should get there eventually, but times are a hair low for the top tier, even for a fighter guy.
Regional might well put you over the top faster, more TT and more boxes to check. May depend on how much you're flying in the guard.
Advantage to regionals is fast upgrade, if you don't get out in a couple years the consolation prize is 121 PIC, which will put you over the top. That will take a bit longer at LCC and most ACMI. Majors don't seem to value LCC/ACMI time over regional time. I know plenty of reservists who did a quick lap at the regionals, typically takes about 18 months.
As was said, full court press on applications, networking, and job fairs. It's a full-time job in and of itself.