Old guy, where to apply
 

Where would you apply?

Former Naval Aviator who got out just about the time the airlines began a long slog of furloughs …So I got a “real job”, which was probably best for my young family at the time.

No complaints really, I’ve made a very good living but I’ve had my fill, and to this day go to bed thinking about airplanes…..

So I decided to do something about it. Got current in GA, joined a flying club and CAP have a 100ish hours In the last 18 months.

Drilling holes in the sky is expensive and boring, and frankly, I miss the profession, and everyone seems to be hiring, seems like I have a shot at a “3rd act”.

Now with a class 1 in hand I’m thinking I’d like to try my hand at 135/91 work. At 61, am I too old for 121?

I have friends at Flexjet and NetJets and all the majors.

I figure if I can get an FO slot in a good company l’ll learn the ropes, earn my keep, and figure out what’s next.

I’m based in DFW, relocation isn’t completely off the table, seems like I could find something here.

Started some conversations with FSI and CAE . I’ll be applying at Flexjet and NetJets. I know there are quite a few flight departments within driving distance.

Where wound ya’ll put your apps in?

age 61… rule out 121?

Not intimidated by training

ATP multi, COM SE
No civilian types
Total time 2006
Multi 1816
Pic 1480
Sic 410
Act ins 174
Night 235
Mil Instructor 298
Turbojet 269
Turboprop 1630

I'm 56, and almost a carbon copy of your situation. Glad to chat, PM me.

if interested in SWA, look into their D225 program, which has a pathway for "Military Currency". It's primarily for retiring military folks who spent their last couple tours behind a desk, but don't self-select yourself out of it without talking to them first. The OBAP conference next week would be a great opportunity to do that.

The other U/LCC's are also achievable. And don't rule out the legacies after getting a year or two of currency.

It was attending one of those conferences (TPNx last April) that kick-started my journey with two ULCC CJO's that directly resulted from engagements at that conference.

Good luck.

Apply to American.

Not too old.

I would particularly look at Envoy as they would LOVE to have someone who can upgrade to captain quickly and probably won't leave.

Or just start flying right seat king air, make some business cards, take some cookies to the line folks at Addison and let the word spread. Someone will hire you. Work your way up in Part 91 day work.

My app got through the AAL HR screeners, I got an interview. My dazzling personality couldn't overcome my 20-year gap in currency: TBNT. Now I have to wait 12 months to re-apply. Now I wished I had waited.

Envoy gave me an on-the-spot HR interview at TPNx. The HR guy tried everything he could to squint at my military (single seat) and 121 (FE) time in a way he could credit it to the Part 121.436 to shorten time to upgrade. He conferred with the pilot recruiter who confirmed that none if it worked. Haven't heard from them since. If the OP's military ME time was PIC in a multi-crew airplane, it would credit under 121.436(c).

Certainly an option if OP has the time and desire to do so, and it would certainly augment the resume with more relevant currency than the GA time. But very well might not be necessary, and I wouldn't recommend delaying his applications/interviews until then.

By part 91 day work i mean make a career of it.

Especially since you can take it past 65

What plane (s) ?

If P-3s it should count for a lot of good experience, multi crew, International, etc.
Every operator are looking for warm bodies so jobs can be had just by pointing your
pinky at what you want.
121 as a junior puke may not be the future @ age 61, but Corporate or some Government contract stuff
could be the ticket? Even Instructing part 91, or Flight Safety Simulators..
The best time ever to get a flying job , and I had 19 of them since flight school 1978.
Wish I was 61 again.:cool:​​​​​​​

In this climate since you're actively flying something you should be able to get hired by a legacy. At this point it looks like retirement age will go to 67 soon.

You have to decide whether 4-6 years at a legacy is better than a frac or bizav gig where you can fly past 67. I would assume that few pilots in their right mind will want to fly professionally after age 70 so I'd estimate that non-121 options give you an additional three years. All three big boyz should have very lucrative contracts by the time you get online.

2nd tier and ULCC should also be happy to hire you, but they don't have as many retirements as the big three.

https://www.ssa.gov/ssi/?utm_medium=...cm-ssi-english

Of course not. You have six more years.
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I flew OV-10’s, came up via the strike pipeline so I have a few hundred hrs of turbojet in the T-2 and A-4

I honestly see corp aviation as most attractive. Given my age and the diversity of flying

I have aps in at CAE and FSI, seems like some time at either would be a a good way to break into the bus av network, problem is they both have training contracts… a King Air gig would be a great way back in

What you need to do is network. Make up some business cards, get some good clothes and a nice haircut and a bunch of cookies. Go visit every FBO whete business jets Hang out. Talk to the line guys, talk to the desk girls, chat up the guys sitting in the sleep room.

After a couple weeks of that pick a few places and start keeping office hours. Just sit there for a couple hours a day. Somebody is going to need a warm body and that is your foot in the door.