Getting Hired at Eagle w/12 yrs Gap
Hi Guys,
I am returning to flying after a long Gap in flying. I stopped flying about 12 yrs ago because of say Family reasons, and I didn't fly at all during this period, not even a minute. I have always wanted to come back but something or else kept happening on the personal side.
I am 37 now and I know that I will take a major hit in Income, Lifestyle, QOL, the cars I drive, the house I live in, etc.. And I am mentally prepared for that.....
The hiring is happening, the environment is conducive & I figure that if I don’t do it now, chances are that I will never be able to do it again…….
My Target: I want to join Eagle on the ATR’s & I have approx 740 TT /145 Multi/ 120 Multi PIC/ 560 PIC total / 400 x-country/ 110 Instrument. I have a buddy CFI who is willing to fly with me abt 2 hrs every day in a rental 172 & a twin, so he will do the entire syllabus with me for commercial, multi & instrument, just as if I was doing it fresh 1st time. He will take me to a level as if I was sitting with an FAA examiner doing check rides for each rating. I would have flown abt 60 or so hrs between now & June, so that I can get my proficiency back and also to complete my minimum TT required for Eagle.
I have been following the posts here, for a few weeks now on the APC forum & wanted to ask for advise of fellow pilots, who are senior guys working in airlines, those got just hired and anyone else who can offer some advise...
My questions:
1) My Biggest fear is How will they take my long Gap of 12 yrs at the interview, with no flying in between & just 60 odd hours recently………..
2) Will I be even called for an interview..?? Will they even consider me as an viable applicant...??
3) Do I have to be employed in aviation to get a job in Eagle or any regional. Can I have the experience & knowledge that is required and be working somewhere else & go to the interview…
4) Should I get a CFI and start working an instructor to have some aviation job history?
5) Is there a minimum # of flying hrs that EAGLE requires an applicant to have in last 6 or 12 months? Should I do more flying than 60 hrs… Should I do Glass Cockpit transition also & get glass experience.
6) Does Eagle has a training Contract or Bond for an X amount of years.....
7) Also, I have read here on APC that airframe is dependent on age, so do younger guys get ATR or do older guys get ATR. Can a new hire have a choice in what equipment/ Airframe one gets.