Ravenwing

I am one of many DECs that Envoy hired with no currency and no recency, I hadn't flown in 16 years when I started in March. They hired me with no interview, just a logbook review. The catch is that I was required to train as a captain. I decided that was the price of readmission. It was nice that I didn't have to wait for a local CFI and pay to get current in a small plane. Yes, it can be done, and many have. The hand flying was the easy part, I do believe that's a skill like riding a bicycle that you don't forget. Learning a new aircraft and company procedures was hard work. I would have preferred to start as an FO, but I figured many regionals were making upgrade mandatory and FO hiring had slowed down. I also came into this with 2,000 TPIC. Many people have made it through DEC training with only FO time. I'm looking at the job as a stepping stone to the majors. It was definitely a risk going directly to the left seat. But thanks to Envoy's strategy, they are actually over staffed on captains in anticipation of the delivery of additional E-175s in 2024 while everyone else is short of regional captains. I will say that in my experience the majors are still looking for 200-300 hours of flight time in the last year, and you are unlikely to be able to avoid that preferred recency without military flight experience. I am happy that I have been getting paid to build that time in an E-175.

TempAcct

Thanks for the info. After speaking with some friends that are still in the industry I'm going to start throwing out some apps later this year. I hit my 20 years in August so I'm looking around June-July to start sending stuff out.

Sliceback

Hit 20 years in August so you're going to send apps out in June-July? I'd start sooner. If it takes longer than 1-2 months you'll have dead time on your hands. Ask the companies how long their lead time is and I'd apply a couple of weeks (2-4), at a minimum, from their minimum turn time. That would provide you some breathing space if there's any hiccups.

Good luck.

BStill

I was in a very similar situation almost exactly a year ago. Left flying after getting laid off from NWA after 9/11, and had uniformed and govvie GS desk job (DoD) for next 20+ years. GS retirement eligible on 30 Sept 23. Made the realization/decision in Dec 22 to pursue a return to airlines, started GA flying last January just to get any kind of currency, and started submitting apps in March. Interviewed several times between May and August, with 3 LCC CJO's for October class dates. Used a week of terminal leave to fill a 25 Sept class seat opening.

I did have a military flying background, but you're way ahead of me on 121 experience and type ratings. I wouldn't wait that long to start submitting apps, just note your availability based on your retirement date.

Good luck. The office view is definitely worth it.

TempAcct

Thanks for the replies. BStill your situation sounds very similar so that gives me hope.