Britany757

Hello aviators, hope everyone is well and healthy. Id like to get some advice. I have been in the 121 world for 10 yrs now. Unfortunately, i have had a history of failures in the 121 world. Not an excuse but i was unable to focus on my training during when those checkrides/orals were given due to personal challenges consisting of death of a sibling and going through a lengthy bad divorce. I have 2 oral failures and 2 pcs that went unsat. However, my last failure was 5 yrs ago. Since then I have had two successful 121 type ratings, and 3 successful recurrent checkrides and now I have upgraded to captain at my current airline. I know the industry is not well, but when things improve, and with my recent successes, do I still have a chance for a shot at a career with a legacy or a major airline. Would appreciate any honest feedback. Thank you.

ugleeual

yes... just be honest with your past challenges and ensure you can clearly articulate how you learned from each of them. Good luck to you.

TransWorld

Ditto. Be honest. Explain why. Show how your have learned from it.

Huell

What these guys said.

Own it.

I was going through a bad divorce and I didn’t handle it well.

Excargodog

Two successful type ratings covereth a multitude of sins. Unfortunately right now you’d be competing with a bunch of people whose only sins were being the new guy in a downturn. In a couple of years you’ll be far more competitive. Right now? Not impossible, but you have a lot of competition for very limited opportunities,

Flyhayes

Pre-Covid, you probably wouldn't have had too much of a problem to get on with a major depending on how well you interview.
Right now, in a saturated post-covid market, you have a lot more competition. As far as I'm aware 121 training failures count more against you than your GA training history. For some reference, back in the day, 2 GA training failures would almost guarantee that you wouldn't have a shot at a legacy...But things do change. You say that you've been successful for 5 out of your 10 years in the 121 environment. To frame that in another way, you've been clean for 50% of your 121 career (doesn't sound too good does it).
Things do change, and 5 years from now when you have even more time between your failures you might have a better chance.
The best thing you can do for right now, is to hone your captain skills, look for opportunities to build you resume with. Getting into training department would certainly be good, especially if you can spin your desire to be an instructor as a way to help others who struggle. And time, give it some time.

rickair7777

Become a check airman, you'll have plenty of time to try. Time helps, you already have five years with at least another five to come I'd guess. I'd say you're stuck for now.

When covid id over and majors are hiring again you could reasonable have a shot at a ULCC/LCC. Top-tier might be tough.

If I'm reading this right you have four total 121 busts (x2 orals plus x2 PCs?)

That's a lot in 121 and the orals are not a good sign... that's just rote memorization and preparation, so that will speak more to work ethic than aptitude or inadequate training. That's how they're going to see it. If you were young you might be able to spin it as a personal growth/learning opportunity thing.

You *might* be able to get a little mitigation by explaining the underlying circumstances but you have to be VERY careful with that... you cannot deflect the blame.

"I didn't prepare adequately due to distraction by serious family circumstances, and I take full responsibility for that. I've learned not attend any training event or perform any flight operations unless my head is 100% in the game"

Hopefully those failures were as an FO. If you were a CA, it's not going to play well if you were serving as a 121 PIC while you were that distracted.

Britany757

Thank you for the feedback guys, and yes i was a FO when those failures occured. For now yes I will sharpen my skills more as a PIC and let time do the healing and hopefully when things pick up, will see my options.

TiredSoul

Not making it to the “Majors” is not a failed career by any stretch of the imagination.
I’ll never make it to the “5” and I’ve had no failures, 91 nor 135 nor 121. None. Ever.
Doesn’t bother me.
Whether its 9-11 a Wallstreet bubble or the ‘Rona, any myriad of reasons can prevent you from getting a hiring wave at a Major.
Does not need to have anything to do with your history of failures and successes.
Its just the nature of the industry.

kaputt

Spot on. There are also far more avenues in aviation than just 121 airline flying.