Looking for some guidance
07-11-2018, 12:55 PM
#1
New Hire
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Joined APC: Jul 2018
Posts: 4
Looking for some guidance
Hello. I am a former Pinnacle CRJ200 FO. I was onboarded there in 2006 and had to stop flying for medical reasons in 2011. I have been considering getting back in the industry for a while now and after so much time not flying I am not sure where to start. Obviously I need to hit the books and log a few hours to get current. In order to be competitive in interviews what would be a good plan of attack? I would like to be based in Houston. What airlines should be on my short list for application? I was thinking Mesa, Republic, and expressjet. Someday I may hope to fly for Southwest but even though I have the mins to apply (aprox. 3600 TT 3000 in a CRJ) would it be foolish to apply now? To muddy the waters a bit my logbook with my crj time in it was destroyed in hurricane Harvey.
Any guidance as I get my ducks in a row would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time.
Any guidance as I get my ducks in a row would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time.
07-11-2018, 03:41 PM
#2
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim
Posts: 39,232
Go find a CFI (preferably a moonlighting airline pilot) and get current on the basics, BFR, stalls, steeps, LDGs, IPC (no need for commercial maneuvers or special LDGs). You probably don't need ME currency, unless you apply to a regional which requires it (if any still do).
Pick a regional. Any regional, any of them will hire you and beg you to start class next Monday. So do your research, because you have a choice to make. Will Fly for Food has interview gouge. Consider a regional where you can upgrade right away (like a few months after IOE), if you're going to be junior, may as well get CA pay and TPIC.
It would be easier on you if you return to the CRJ, that plane will come back quick... especially if you want to upgrade soon. I did a multi-year break from the CRJ and after ground school and about one sim I was checkride ready, we spent the rest of the time working on my sim buddy, golden gate bridge fly-unders, 100 kt XW landings, etc, etc. But even so, the E-175 training is pretty easy or so I hear. I'd probably avoid anything like a Q400.
I would complete IOE, get some major airline interview prep, and then apply to all majors you're interested in. Keep in mind that you'll need to update each app every month or two, which is a lot of work. You'll also need to stay in the books, because you might get a short notice interview call, even without TPIC. More likely you'll need a couple thousand TPIC, but it could happen at any moment, hard to predict since it depends on your whole person package, training history, and background.
If you want a ULCC, that could happen within months.
Try to get your records from Endeavor, they are Pinnacle's successor. The good news is that nobody is likely to question your flight time during a period that you worked for an airline.
Also be prepared to explain to a major why you left aviation, and why things are different for you now. "I hated being away from home" is probably not the answer they're looking for.
Pick a regional. Any regional, any of them will hire you and beg you to start class next Monday. So do your research, because you have a choice to make. Will Fly for Food has interview gouge. Consider a regional where you can upgrade right away (like a few months after IOE), if you're going to be junior, may as well get CA pay and TPIC.
It would be easier on you if you return to the CRJ, that plane will come back quick... especially if you want to upgrade soon. I did a multi-year break from the CRJ and after ground school and about one sim I was checkride ready, we spent the rest of the time working on my sim buddy, golden gate bridge fly-unders, 100 kt XW landings, etc, etc. But even so, the E-175 training is pretty easy or so I hear. I'd probably avoid anything like a Q400.
I would complete IOE, get some major airline interview prep, and then apply to all majors you're interested in. Keep in mind that you'll need to update each app every month or two, which is a lot of work. You'll also need to stay in the books, because you might get a short notice interview call, even without TPIC. More likely you'll need a couple thousand TPIC, but it could happen at any moment, hard to predict since it depends on your whole person package, training history, and background.
If you want a ULCC, that could happen within months.
Try to get your records from Endeavor, they are Pinnacle's successor. The good news is that nobody is likely to question your flight time during a period that you worked for an airline.
Also be prepared to explain to a major why you left aviation, and why things are different for you now. "I hated being away from home" is probably not the answer they're looking for.
07-11-2018, 04:01 PM
#3
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2017
Position: Retired NJA & AA
Posts: 1,913
This website might be useful:
http://www.pilotdomiciles.com/pilot_...-6-28-2018.png
Like RickAir said, you'll have your choice of regionals to work for. You said you left for medical reasons, you might be asked how long it took to get your medical back (not sure they can legally ask that thou) and if it was quickly, why didn't you return to flying sooner. But I doubt they'll did that deep because they're so desperate for pilots. Could factor into a major airline interview thou. If your goal is a major airline consider a regional where you have a flow-thru agreement. Southwest doesn't have any of those, but they are hiring quite a bit. Upgrade time there is longer than most majors, but the F/O pay is excellent. Living in base with them is a really good lifestyle as far as picking up and dropping trips. You can choose lots of $$$ or lots of time off.
http://www.pilotdomiciles.com/pilot_...-6-28-2018.png
Like RickAir said, you'll have your choice of regionals to work for. You said you left for medical reasons, you might be asked how long it took to get your medical back (not sure they can legally ask that thou) and if it was quickly, why didn't you return to flying sooner. But I doubt they'll did that deep because they're so desperate for pilots. Could factor into a major airline interview thou. If your goal is a major airline consider a regional where you have a flow-thru agreement. Southwest doesn't have any of those, but they are hiring quite a bit. Upgrade time there is longer than most majors, but the F/O pay is excellent. Living in base with them is a really good lifestyle as far as picking up and dropping trips. You can choose lots of $$$ or lots of time off.
07-11-2018, 07:13 PM
#4
New Hire
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Jul 2018
Posts: 4
Thank you very much for the great information. The medical event was an injury to my eye. My son was 2 at the time and accidentally raked my left eye with a plastic toy horse. Eye specialist told me I could have depth perception issues from the injury. I called up an ALPA rep to get some insight and was told that it wouldn't be impossible to keep me flying but he wanted to warn me that the company may be looking to get me out to "limit their liability" with a 2 year old and a newborn. I decided to try to find a more secure future for my family and walked away from flying. It was a tough day.
I have reached out to endeavor and I was told they wouldn't have any records of my time on file. I had spoken with a Mesa recruiter last year and he said my tax records could serve as proof I worked for Pinnacle. I am leaning towards Mesa currently but perhaps I should look into more options. Thanks again!
I have reached out to endeavor and I was told they wouldn't have any records of my time on file. I had spoken with a Mesa recruiter last year and he said my tax records could serve as proof I worked for Pinnacle. I am leaning towards Mesa currently but perhaps I should look into more options. Thanks again!
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