Originally Posted by
AirAccra
I'm an active duty Army guy who will hang on for a few more years before retiring. I'm currently at ~1,250TT and ~450FW (all ME turbine) and can resonably expect about 300 to 400 more FW hours before I hang it up. I knocked out the ATP-CTP and written last summer, but won't be able to do the ATP checkride for another couple years due to assignment changes.
Soutwest is my target airline and I wonder if the hive mind here can provide any advice as to whether or not it might be more advantageous to knock out as many things as I can while on active duty, or if it might be smart to hold off on the ATP check so I would still qualify for D225 when I do retire.
Obviously, hiring three or so years from now is impossible to predict, but since I keep seeing how D225 cadets are the only ones moving through the pipeline, I'm starting to wonder if NOT having the full ATP might give me a leg up when the time comes (weird as that might be).
Appreciate any thoughts and thanks!
I would not pigeon hole myself to D225. Get as qualified as you can overall. When off the street hiring resumes being a mil pilot who already works at American/Delta/United would be very strong app. If hiring does not resume at SWA in a "few more years" you probably don't want to come here anyways.
And if it doesn't work out, you have a great job already, rather than sitting there unqualified.