captande

I wouldn’t worry about crossing the barrier until it’s presented. Polish the apps and throw them out to the regionals. Prepare yourself to spin it as a learning experience for yourself and don’t place blame. For example with the first company you left. You were paired up with someone who made it difficult for you to do your job safely, you brought it to the company and the only options you had was leave or keep flying with him, so you took the safer route for yourself and your certs. The second you just had an emergency, the adrenaline was flowing and you made an off the cuff remark to your FO that was unfortunately overheard. The worst came of it and the company decided to part ways. What did you learn, how will you be better next time. Things like that show the people doing the interviews you’re not going to just be a money pit in training if they give you a chance.

TiredSoul

Let me take some time and try and give you at least a somewhat helpful answer.

At the 135 where I cut my teeth on my first jet we had one of “those guys”.
He was already a pain as an FO, came from a Regional where he’d flown a couple of years ( not upgraded) and no doubt he would have been at a Major right now, today, if he hadn’t been such a drama queen.
He got upgraded at the 135 and here we go, almost every diversion and almost every “emergency” and definitely every dire-straits-imminent-demise event.....was this guy.
I upgraded at the same time and flew the same tail numbers in the same geographical areas and in the same weather. Had no drama apart from the normal stuff you deal with as PIC.

Now, having said that.......
Important to note I’m NOT saying you’re a drama llama.
However, you have two strong resume indicators saying that you are. Especially if they take the trouble of calling your previous employers.
135 is a relatively small world and you can count on it your name is tainted.
Most companies are small enough that the DO/Chief pilot still makes the calls themselves.

Solution:
Get into 121.
Large regionals with a revolving door.
They probably won’t call.
Doesn’t mean you’re in the clear.
You can’t lie about your employment and drop one of them off your resume either.

I’ve done some hiring and firing and my attention span is pretty much 3 seconds. So keep my attention.
Don’t go off into the weeds.

Leaving is easier to explain then the firing:

1. “After 3 months I made the decision that this company conducted its operations in an unsafe manner and wanted no further part of it.”
End of story.

2. You’ll need to package this one a little better.
After a frustrating week with weather and cancellations and diversions you had an emergency and following that you had a lapse of judgement and you voiced your frustrations within earshot of customers.
We all know that “pilot-speak” doesn’t translate very well to the non flying public.
You’re very well aware and very sorry about your mistake and you accepted being let go as a result of it.
If you had been the Chief Pilot you would have been forced to do the same.

Now, may I have the job please?

* Something like this ^^^

Now don’t come back here in 9 months after resigning from a Regional.
You need to stay drama free for a couple of years at least.
Good luck.

NatGeo

Don't list either of those employers on your resume or your initial application when applying with a Part 135. List the plane types and hours in your hours section, but nothing about those employers.

I used to be a recruiter in the oilfields. The purpose of your resume is to get you hired and nothing more.

Judging from the posts that you have made so far it doesn't sound like you view yourself as a confident person. In your aviation career, I'm sure you have made a lot of accomplishments but right now you are only focusing on your shortcomings. When you walk into any interview always remember how lucky that interviewer is that he/she got to interview you instead of all of the thousands of other companies in the US.

Don't be a TMI guy. I wouldn't mention that thing about the employee who threatened you again. Don't talk about those 2 jobs again. After the interview, when they give you the PRIA to fill out, list those employers on your PRIA, but don't talk about them unless they ask you. If they do ask you about them, than this is what you say. Well, I lived in a small town and ended up working for both of these companies because the jobs were "available." Don't say anything more than that unless they ask you. If they ask you more questions about it, remember, short and concise answers, no TMI.

KitCloudkicker

This is really good advice and exactly what I was looking for. Thank you TiredSoul.

rickair7777

What he said. Except don't list negative's on the resume. The resume is your sales pitch, stick to positives only. It must be truthful but is not a background check form, so it does not have to be complete.

Most likely you'll have to disclose previous employers on the app or at the interview, but who knows, maybe not in the case of a small mom-and-pop. Don't lie if asked.

Try get on with a regional and get lost in the crowd. Upgrade and try to accumulate training and volunteer credentials. If you establish a good long track record the majors may not be in a position to be picky about something vague that happened when you were young in the distant past.

dera

He would have a 6 month gap in employment, and that would be the first question anyone asks in an interview.

galaxy flyer

Tired Soul,

We had a guy like that in my squadron when I was the DO—the joke was it’d be easier to fly the trip for him than send him out. It’s amazing how some PICs can go out, everyone has a good time and on schedule; while others are constantly the author of or victim of a crisis.

GF

Excargodog

And they’d already be biased against him because they would know he’d tried to sneak one by them. Much better to put it in the resume, apply to regionals, where you would likely be in a better position to actually get a recruiter to TALK to you rather than just getting rejected out of hand.

Look, you’ve dug yourself a hole, no sense sugar coating it. Rightly or wrongly you’ve probably poisoned the 135 world well for anything but freight (boxes don’t care if you b|tch). Even there you will find it easier to get a SIC job currently). You have the numbers and the experience to get a regional job. Survive your probationary year without difficulty (as Rickair says, get lost in the crowd) and in a few years you’ll be competitive for something better.

Note of caution: third time will NOT be the charm if you can’t make the next job work, doesn’t matter if it’s your fault, their fault, or nobody’s fault.

TiredSoul

Enjoy the wonderful world of 121

dera

One of the best things about 121 is that you dont often even know what your boss looks like.