Returning to cockpit
 

Hello I am 55 years old I have not flown for 20 years. I'm a former KC 135 PIC. I have been hired in 1993 with America Airlines...never made it to training. I am going through a midlife change and want to pursue commercial aviation and would like to know what the best way is to get retrained so that I can be hired by a regional or a major. Time is of the essence, any advice would be helpful in terms of getting currency, being competitive in the hiring process, and who is the best airlines are that would hire me. I am on the verge of committing to ATP to go through a 3 days of sims for $2500 in DFW. Is this a good idea? (Class 1 successful). Thanks

How many hours of total time do you have?

If I were you, I'd visit your local FBO and get a Flight Review and an Instrument Proficiency Check, then send out applications to the regionals.

Let them foot the bill for your CTP/ATP...and they will for someone with a military flying background.

There's lots of studying to do in order to get you reacquainted with the business, but nothing that you can't get with some ground time with a CFII and hitting the books for self-study.

Thank you... Good advice ... I am told that ATP Cos has a 3 days sim course to teach me everything needed... Then, the Director would recommend me and he assures that I could get on with a Regional...for $2500, the 'to good to be true; not a big risk for me)

Total hrs 1600...650 PIC

Spend some time on the Instrument procedures section of the AIM specifically RNAV procedures. The Gleim ATP book is a good reference also. Is there a flight school with an Instrument Sim nearby? If so
get in there and practice your instrument skills.

Good advice...thank you

I was out for 10 years.

Did some training at local flight school:
Did Instmt ground school, training flights, BFR, IPC, and some sim stuff. A guy who lived near me had a GREAT setup in his basement (he did sim evals for AWAC), and flew with him several times. Also was flying my PC with rudder pedals and a control wheel.
An advantage I had was I was prior military, and had flown a number of large sim hours.

I think, today, that many of the PC sim programs are really, really great, and great for flying instmt procedures. I also did this at the local flight school with instructors.
In case you didn't know, don't bother flying NDBs. I don't think anyone does those in training anymore...

Recently, read about a guy out TWENTY years. He did nothing at all, just showed up day one of class, and had no problems with training.

PM me if you want...I flew -135Rs about a year...got out in 1991.

Namaste...

I had a 9/11 career and was at a major for one year and furloughed in 2001, flew corporate till 2008 then left flying till 2014. I was out for 6 years and decided to return to flying. Went to a regional, got a new type rating and did very well. I was at the regional for 9 months before getting on with an LCC almost 3 years ago now. I also teach the ATP CTP course as a part time job and have seen new hires from our regional clients as old as 63! I doubt a Legacy / major will talk to you until you get current. But I say go for it. I wouldn't spend the money TBH. Just get a FAR/AIM study that and a computer flight simulator to learn how to scan and fly again. It really was like getting back on a bicycle as the saying goes. Good luck.

Thank you... Good advice

11/3 Just submitted my application and a regional invited me to Interview... Lots to do in 2 weeks.