JetPiedmont

I have a 121 interview in a few weeks, but I haven't flown in two years. Should I rent a motion simulator and do some airwork and approaches so I can say I've at least done that?

Slice

I'd suggest going up in a real aircraft and getting IFR current again with a CFII.

JetPiedmont

Slice, I'm just trying to get current, not have a life altering experience.

Senior Skipper

How'd you manage to get an interview after not flying for so long? NOt criticizing or anything, just curious.

Slice, I didn't even recognize you, why ditch Cartman for a meatball?

Lori Clark

In recent past the regionals have struggled with hiring enough pilots to fill their rosters so if you have the minimums they may bring you in for the interview to evaluate "where the land lies"... if you will.
It is tough, if not impossible to gauge the quality of the applicant on paper alone. One of the rules of thumb that many regionals used to screen candidates was 100 hours logged in the last six months.

Having said that, if you haven't flown in two years then currency is of utmost importance, but proficiency is equally as important.
The airline will want you to be current, at the very least. But it's not just about the interview alone. You may be very sharp technically, but demonstrating it could be a different animal.

My advice is an emphatic "yes" you want to get some time in a sim - bring yourself back into currency at the very least. If the airline has a sim evaluation section of the interview then you will want to be ready.

The other side of the coin, which often times is not considered in advance, is that you will also want to be ready for training. Keep in mind that the interviewers are not just evaluating whether you would be a good fit for the company, but whether or not they feel you will pass their training program. Here's where proficiency enters. You might pass the interview, but how will you fare in training? If you haven't flown in two years I recommend an instrument proficiency check or an IFR Refresher course. Knock off some of the dust that has been collecting over the past two years and get yourself ready - Failing training is much worse than failing the interview.

I hope this helps!
Good Luck with your interview!!

USMCFLYR

Lori -

I've seen some websites lately that state a certain amount of flight time in the last year is required. For most in the industry I take it that a requirement of 200-250 in the last 12 months is a pretty easy chore, but during certain times in the military (for certain comunities) a 250 hr year can be tough to accomplish especially if you get sidetracked from the flying part for some job or another. Is this currency usually a hard requirement or one that is looked at in conjunction with other circumstances?

USMCFLYR

Slice

It's 'Meatwad' from ATHF...just a change of pace, another Cartman will be back...

Lori Clark

It's hard to say. Some airlines may use it as competitive where others may have drawn the line. If you are in the military it's kind of a different ball game. They know there are limitations to your flying (you can't just go out and pick up a side job or more students, etc) and they know your hours are calculated differently (wheels up.)

so, your best bet is to submit your application and if you happen to know someone on the "inside" have them check on it for you.
You may get some quality feedback...

Good luck!

Senior Skipper

That's a pretty funny show too, but nobody beats Cartman!

squawkoff

Lori,

I'm kind of in the same boat as far as currency/proficiency go. I just retired from the FAA as an ATC. Worked part time for a flight training co. here the DFW area and was a sim instructor on a corp. jet. Flew contract on corp. jets until the FAA found out I was enjoying myself and put a stop to it. I was an FE in the Air Force. I was told I could not cross train to be an FE because I was in an avionics field and didn't have the necessary background. Finally got a waiver and was the only honor graduate out of both schools. I own a Bonanza that I fly to stay current. However I'm running into a problem where it seems that I need a current flying job to get a flying job (catch 22) which is what I'm trying to get. I have over 2000TT and 1300ME, a FE certificate and a type rating. I just turned 50. I have only flown about 70 hours in the last year all in my Bonanza (I am IFR current). Companies seem interested at first then I get the letter that there are more qualified applicants (I'm assuming the 600hr kids, no offense, I was one once too.) I have a clean background both flying and criminally. I have an interview with a regional on the 10th and trying to decide if I should even waste my time going. I did get hired by a regional in the DFW area only to be told the next day that they had stopped hiring. Oh so close!!! Do you have any advice for me?????