FWIW, once I got my letter in to resign in a year, I got EVERYTHING done about 6-8 months prior to getting out...FE(w), First Class Medical, Restricted Radio Ticket, 737 type rating with ATP (VA paid for 70%) .

I do recommend that you get your application online, soon, I think they track how long you've been interested in working here or there.

Also, I don't know what you fly but, I got a type rating in the civilian equivalent of what I flew in the military.

Then just start logging time and get in line. I had speadsheets for each airline I applied to because each had different minimums and conversion factors.