CTP decision
#1
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Joined APC: Aug 2019
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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!
#2
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Joined APC: Jun 2019
Posts: 303
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!
#3
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Joined APC: Aug 2019
Posts: 200
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.
#4
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Joined APC: Jan 2019
Posts: 310
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!
#5
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#6
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Posts: 3,655
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!
#7
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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.
#9
Meh...
Joined APC: Jan 2012
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Posts: 240
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!
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-
Apply to all, take the first offer, then it it's not your dream legacy, hit up your dream legacy.
Tailwinds
#10
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Joined APC: Aug 2019
Posts: 27
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-
Apply to all, take the first offer, then it it's not your dream legacy, hit up your dream legacy.
Tailwinds
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-
Apply to all, take the first offer, then it it's not your dream legacy, hit up your dream legacy.
Tailwinds
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!
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