CTP decision
 

For a variety of reasons I've been out of an Air Force cockpit for 4 years (all related to QoL for family, not related to interest in flying). I have about 3500 total jet time, about 3100 in a C-17. Debating whether I should go ahead and pay for CTP, written, practical on my own, or let a regional cover all that, then pay them back whatever I must if I get picked up by a major in, let's just say, one year. Bottom line, any chance a major hires me directly in next 8 months or so (without going to a regional at all)? I have been enjoying GA flying, but no other recency. Thanks!

I would think the larger issue to be overcome first would be that a major would want to see you flying recently. So one way would be to go to a regional. That would get you the ATP CTP and the recent flying experience. Four years away from it needs to be dealt with to give you a shot.

This^^^^^Majors want to see plenty of recency of experience flying jets. You'll probably have to play the regional game...at least for a bit.

Let a regional pay for it. There’s almost zero chance to go to a legacy with only GA flying within the next 8 months.

As a prior mil guy, I have to agree about the recency. I won’t reiterate what the above posts said but that’s the way to go for recency.

If you were thinking of going to Delta, then go to the CTP course that's held at their sims by some retired capts, that will get you an interview with your background. I know at least three at Delta hired with a near career of military big wing experience and nothing more than a smattering of GA in the last 5 years.

I've heard the same sort of thing. And I am interested in Delta and I am in comms with their CTP folks. Thanks.

Thanks for all the input! Like my handle says...tough call! Over the long term it will not be a huge issue, but I want to make best decision possible. Thanks.

Hi ToughCall,

MIL pilots working at wholly owned regionals get hired before they flow up.

AA for instance will hire a MIL pilot from Envoy/PSA/Piedmont far earlier than waiting for a flow. Sometimes, if the MIL pilot has command time (PIC time) even while the pilot is still a first officer.

Order of hiring preference (that I've seen as a casual observer)
MIL (current and flying)
MIL from a regional
Flow
Off the street

Getting hired before your flow number comes up as a MIL pilot (or any wholly owned pilot) is just a function of applying at AA

There is no prohibition to a pilot working in a wholly owned to apply to mainline. I encourage it to all the young pilots when I Jumpseat on their flight decks.

If you qualify for AA as your are now, apply.

Meanwhile get on with a regional (any) and get current.

A MIL pilot flying at a regional has a fantastic shot at getting on just as fast as a direct-hire out of MIL, depending on the timing of MIL releases etc. and the hiring demands of the month.

Apply to ALL the legacies, take the first one that hires you. Then if you want to jump ship to a more preferred legacy, you can but at least you've got your seniority number at a legacy.

One last thing: when looking at the legacies, don't chase a contract or "flavor of the month" -ahem-Delta-ahem- :D

Apply to all, take the first offer, then it it's not your dream legacy, hit up your dream legacy.

Tailwinds

757HI,
Great stuff! Thanks for the detailed reply. At this point, I think I will save the money on the CTP, ATP, spend some time at the regional level, get the hours, get used to the airline world and then move to a major. Taken as a whole, it makes the most sense, even if there is a small (but lucrative) chance I could get hired without going to the regionals. Just blessed to be having this discussion!

FWIW... my UPT classmate got out and pursued other work outside the Pilot world. He found he was miserable. Convinced wife to take a huge pay cut (he did finance on Wall Street), went to regionals and started flying again. The day he got 100 hours, off IOE and updated his app, AA called Within the next week. Your mileage might vary but my small survey (1 guy) says go get some 121 time and it’ll happen faster than you think.

AFTrainerGuy, thanks man. It's all starting to make sense. Hopefully I'll follow suit with so many similar stories...6-12 mos at a regional then move on.

I knew someone who was out of flying for years. Plenty of KC-135 time and Tweet instructor before that. About a year at Envoy, up to 500 hrs of certain mil time count toward the 1000 required for the upgrade, flew the rest, had AA class date before finishing the CA upgrade sims.

PS That pilot did hit the books hard, took the job seriously and busted balls. Don't want it to sound like it was a free pass.