returning to 121 after 4 years away
 

Forgive me if this has been covered before, I tried searching and couldn't find much about it

I had to step away from the airline world back in 2020 for family reasons and now I'm ready to get back in. I am not current but do have about 1k hours of 121 time all SIC. Any suggestions on getting my app pulled?
I do have plans to go to a conference or two this year and get some face time with the recruiters. I have my app in to AA and UA at the moment. Im not thrilled about having to go the regional route just to get current and leaving but I will, if thats what needs to be done.
Any constructive input is greatly appreciated

Others closer to the problem can weigh in but I suspect you need to be current to get called at the moment, as a fairly low time civilian (unless you have extensive prior 91/135 turbine experience). Hiring has slowed, very much so for regional FO's and stopped for some ULCC.

For the majors do you have a degree?

Also does "about 1,000 121 SIC" mean at least or slightly more than 1,000? If so you could almost certainly get hired very quickly as a regional DEC. Money would be good and 121 PIC would be good. If you have slightly less than 1,000 121, you might be able to get hired as-is and get the 1,000 121 while on captain OE... you're actually the SIC while doing CA OE with a check airman. You'd have to ask the regionals, but they need captains bad.

And yes face time with recruiters is a good thing, at the very least they can tell you where you stand.

Going to depend on your overall resume. Do not have enough info. Also nobody knows what AA hiring is really looking at and whatever it is it constantly changes.


However with that being said with 1000 Part 121 SIC you would be able to snatch up a DEC at a regional and a fat bonus right away. After some TPIC time you would be very competitive for a Legacy spot.

Get a job and get current. That’s likely your best bet.

And it doesn't have to be regionals. The ACMI cargo and charter airlines are hiring like crazy. Personally I'd find one that I could stomach the pay and schedule and do that and then start applying at Legacies as soon as you're off OE. Be wary of the DEC bonuses. They come with a 2 year contract and a lot can happen in two years. And if you leave early it's hard to recover the taxes that the employer witheld (You'll receive your bonuses net of taxes, but when you have to pay it back you have to pay back the gross amount. There are IRS forms to receive a credit for what now amounts to a tax overpayment but it's a PITA.) And if you are a DEC, you will be at the very bottom of seniority forever.

more info
 

Sorry I guess it would help if I put a bit more info about my flight time. I have about 4300hrs TT, 972 SIC-121 regional flying, about 1250 in airplanes and the rest is helo time

I was given a CJO in December and I will give you information from my perspective only. As previously stated, I have no idea what they looked at only what I experienced. I am currently flying helicopters and haven't flown a fixed wing in over 2 years. I asked what kind of aircraft an EC-145 was and told them it is a helicopter and that I am FW uncurrent. I asked if that was going to be an issue because I could get current if needed. They told me that it wasn't an issue. I have 995 hours of 121, military, have a degree (but wasn't asked for my graduation certificate). I was given a CJO that day. Another question you need to ask is are you willing to sit around and wait for the interview phone call or go fly for ACMI/Regionals/135 etc until you do?

Get a fresh First Class and get a twin turbine job ideally part 135 or 121, in 12 months you should hear something. Hit the job fairs also.

the twin turbine job can be flying Beech 99's for a freight outfit, etc.

I highly recommend booking a session with an interview prep or career counselor. They know all the details of any carrier you are interested in and can give you solid advice on how to reach your goal.

I suspect the regionals would hire you as a DEC, in some cases they'll put DECs on the line for a few months as FO I think. Although you could get to 1000 121 while on CA OE, so maybe that would be an option.