Windsurfer89

Thanks Otterbox. I'm in Phoenix. Looking at getting on with either Compass or Skywest. Both have domiciles here.

atpcliff

I read about a guy recently hired by a regional after being out 20 years. He did nothing beforehand, and made it through training no problem. Their training programs are set up now for pilots without much experience, which helps those out of the cockpit for a while.

Personally, I would do some stuff to get ready, like flying a local flight school sim with an instructor, IPC, etc.

Sounds like reasonable rumours going around about TSA Holdings (TSA/GoJet/Compass) merging into Republic. You can read about it on this website on various threads about the above four carriers...

Namaste...

Stimpy the Kat

True story:

An acquaintance of mine hadn't flown in about 10-15 years. Mid 50's. No turbine time. No type ratings. No 135, 121, or corporate experience.

For kicks he applied to Skywest, about a year ago, and when he got halfway through the flight time grid he basically said " EFF' IT ! Too much work " and clicked out of the application.

They called the next morning and asked if he needed help filling out the app. He replied that he did not and they encouraged him to continue and told him he didn't need to fill out everything in the flight times, just the basics. They then continued to call him on a regular basis for several weeks until he told them flat out " I'm not interested ".

Desperate for pilots? NAH.

Looks like you have a very good chance at one of your desired choices.

Go for it, and good luck !

Stimpson J. Kat

SGRogue

I’m sure you’ve received multiple PMs, but for the benefit of others in same boat, there are many of us who went down a similar path. For me, I took an 8 year break from flying after the military to take care of family. Looking at a soon to be empty nest at home I realized that I missed flying. Did some GA flying to get my hands wet, hired at a regional in no time, and 6 months later I’m getting major airline invites. All going well, I should be at a major by 55. To offset the pay cut I took going to the regional, I work part-time. Can’t say I’ve got a lot of free time, but the family didn’t suffer. Spending my last 10 years with a window office at 40,000 ft is way better than staring at my desk computer at SL. If you think you want to go back, now is the time.

prfly

SG Rogue, atp Cliff, rickair777, Galaxy flyer...and the original postman
I'm in the same boat. I retired after 20 yrs flying @43 yo. Family life took over, did that, I'm done.. and now I am PAST ready to GTFO of my house.
What do recommend for regaining Instrument proficiency and sell myself?

155mm

It's rather obvious the Regionals are hiring current or not...just qualified. Pass a first class medical and apply. If you want to get Instrument proficient well, the answer is within the question...get instrument proficient!

galaxy flyer

What did you fly on AD? Proficiency with “glass” cockpits is something of a hurdle, if you never flew it. Just different and the sim is fast paced enough that proficiency can be a challenge. Get a few hours in a Garmin 172 for FMS exposure and a hand back flying. You the idea of how it all works, not detailed knowledge, the RJ will be different anyway.

GF

prfly

In order to get hired at a regional you have to answer the Technical questions correctly.
So let me ask in a different way...
How does one relearn this:
aside from going back to Instrument ground school to ensure I am back up to speed on correctly reading charts hi/lows approach plates, SIDS, STARS...etc
Once hired, regional airline ground school won't teach you that of course.
Thanks guys for your assistance

galaxy flyer

Self study in the AIM, FAA Instrument Flight Manual, FAA Instrument Procedures Manual to start. That’s the equivalent of AFM 51-37 or whatever the 11-series is called.

GF

dhc8guru

I am also in the same boat. Haven't flown in 10 years (other then a couple of joy rides) but have nearly 2500 hours and a 1100 of it was at a 121. I started calling all my buddies who are still flying commercially and told them I was going to get back into it and asked if they had any advice about currency, knowledge review etc..
They were told me not to bother spending money on getting IFR current, unless I really felt the need. They claimed was the regional's and corporate fractional's have changed there training around guys like us. The ones who bailed years ago and are getting back into it. I left because of a furlough as did many and now we are coming out of the woodwork for various reasons. There are a lot of guys who stepped away back in 02'-08 and want back in. They aren't going to get your general aviation knowledge back but they will work with you to get your IFR flying skill up to speed.
I am starting out by reading the instrument proficiency handbook and the FAR/AIM. I am going to go shoot a few approaches in an actual airplane to get my confidence back but that's about it.