Farm and Fly

Long time lurker, first time poster.

I resigned from my regional captain job in Oct 21 to help with the family business (Farming) due to a family members health issues. I inquired about an LOA, but I wasn't offered one. Those issues have been resolved and I'm looking at the viability of returning to the cockpit.

During my hiatus, after 13 years of crickets, two legacies called to give me an interview. I was not offered a position at either one. No feedback from the interviews. I assume it's because I wasn't working as a pilot at the time, but I don't know. Without any sort of debriefing its hard to come up with a plan of action going forward.

7000hrs, 6000hrs 121, No 121 busts, no violations, clean record and health, DEC training summer 2019 (XJT Refugee), And I personally feel up to the task.

I feel like a lone penguin stuck on a chunk of ice, am I a viable candidate at all right now? Or has it been too long?

I've got my eye on a ULCC I really would like to work at, is that out of the question?

Is flying around for myself and some training with a CFI for a few hours worth anything?

Do I need to give my apps another pass through the interview/application gurus? (probably)

Is back again for round 4 at the regionals my only option right now? As you can probably assume I would rather not, that's partly why I'm asking these questions.


Thanks in advance for any feedback or advice, it is greatly appreciated!

Fly Safe

rickair7777

Could have been lack of recency, but they knew that when they called you presumably. I'd get some professional interview prep because there may be something else going on.

Check your apps to make sure there are no inconsistencies with resume or PRIA/PRD.

Also with two TBNT, better pull ALL of your .gov records, FBI, NDR, FAA. Probably need to FOIA those to make sure you get everything.

Any TPIC, or just completed DEC?

I'd think you could get hired by a legacy as-is, the fact that they called tends to confirm that. But maybe you need some recency,

They'll probably hire you, unless you have some serious background glitch. I'd get all your gov records to confirm you don't have an error or mistaken identity before applying anywhere else. If they pull your records and see that you're a convicted felon, 12 DUI's etc, you probably won't ever get called by that airline again.

Maybe, maybe not. If you can afford it, it can't hurt.

Yes.

That would improve your odds with legacies, especially if you do DEC. Hard to say if it's strictly necessary. Again, make sure your background stuff is good and get prep to make sure you're not stepping on your own crank at the interviews. Obviously for legacies invest in a good suit, shoes, haircut, grooming. If you're out of shape, try to tone up a bit... yes legacy interviewers will consider that, every little bit helps.

I think you could get on with a LCC without recency.