Originally Posted by
Chinabug
Interesting read from the beginning. Getting ready to retire from 20 yrs in MIL fighters and can only speak for my buds in the same boat: All are applying to FDX and SWA. Nobody wants to touch the others right now due to climate, pay, and uncertainty. Suppose things will change if the first 2 say no but the AA, UAL's, etc are not getting their "pick of the litter". Interesting to see how this translates when the current pilot pool dries up...
Not trying to single you out, but I see and hear from a lot of military pilots who think they're the shiznit and assume they'll get hired where ever they want due to their background. I heard a pilot recently from my old unit say, "I'm going to go fly for UPS when I get out ... yada yada yada". It just doesn't work that way.
As a military guy, you should be applying EVERYWHERE. The last thing you need is your military pilot ego to be crushed when your top three picks don't hire you ... wait a second ... or even call you! A military friend of mine didn't get hired from his first pick and his dad is a senior check airman there.
There are plenty of former military pilots who have worked at other companies gaining lots of Part 121 experience that are applying to the same jobs you are. Equally so, there are lots of regional Captains who have thousands of PIC hours. Not putting you down, but your military only experience makes you a dime a dozen.
Use your contacts to the max extent possible, but don't set yourself up for failure. The best airline out there is the one that hires you. Apply everywhere.