Consequences of taking a break...
01-27-2009 | 09:44 AM
#1
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Gets Weekends Off
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From: School Bus
Consequences of taking a break...
I have been considering taking a break from flying for 2-5 years until things are a little more upbeat again so that I can pursue other endeavors. I am curious to get some opinions on just how difficult it would be to land a corporate or major job after taking a few years break?
Please assume:
1) the economy has rebounded and airlines are hiring once again with some growth and
2) pilot has ATP, 1300 PIC Turbine, 4000 TT, 737 and CL-65 Types.
What steps, if any, do you think would be necessary to have a major consider you and call you in for an interview?
Thanks!
Please assume:
1) the economy has rebounded and airlines are hiring once again with some growth and
2) pilot has ATP, 1300 PIC Turbine, 4000 TT, 737 and CL-65 Types.
What steps, if any, do you think would be necessary to have a major consider you and call you in for an interview?
Thanks!
01-27-2009 | 09:52 AM
#2
Line Holder
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 949
Likes: 1
From: A320 CA
Gettig back into the industry wouldn't be too difficult, but to get a major to hire you with zero recent flight experience would, IMO, be very difficult. It would depend heavily on who you know and how many recommendations you get. My advice to you is if you have flying job now, hold on to it. There are too many pilots out there on the street that would love to be in your shoes. Plus, it will be much easier to get in with a major when they do start hiring again if you dont have any big gaps in your recent flying career.
01-27-2009 | 09:59 AM
#3
Can't abide NAI
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 12,078
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From: Douglas Aerospace post production Flight Test & Work Around Engineering bulletin dissembler
You'll need to shave.
Then you'll need a couple hundred hours of recent flight experience. The problem is timing the wave. You want to be hired at the start of a wave, but others will be getting hired while you are getting current.
Also, airlines wonder if you really like flying if you get out when times are tough. I understand your position, but it was a question that has come up in my interviews. Only Delta seems to really appreciate the idea of a pilot getting a Masters (or other higher eduction) and going into management, then coming back out to fly. Delta probably has more pilots in management positions than other airlines.
Then you'll need a couple hundred hours of recent flight experience. The problem is timing the wave. You want to be hired at the start of a wave, but others will be getting hired while you are getting current.
Also, airlines wonder if you really like flying if you get out when times are tough. I understand your position, but it was a question that has come up in my interviews. Only Delta seems to really appreciate the idea of a pilot getting a Masters (or other higher eduction) and going into management, then coming back out to fly. Delta probably has more pilots in management positions than other airlines.
01-27-2009 | 10:00 AM
#4
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Engines Turn or People Swim
Most employers require some sort of recent experience...100 hours in 6 months or 200 hours in 12 months.
I think that as long as you could meet the recent mins, that would be good enough if you total times were otherwise competitive. In other words, you would need to get an aviation job of some sort when things turn around.
The one thing I'm not sure about is if you would need recent turbine experience...if so, you could get a regional or 135 job. If not, you could just CFI or whatever on weekends and keep your day job until the majors call.
I'm going to move this to the recruiter section, maybe Lori has some insight.
I think that as long as you could meet the recent mins, that would be good enough if you total times were otherwise competitive. In other words, you would need to get an aviation job of some sort when things turn around.
The one thing I'm not sure about is if you would need recent turbine experience...if so, you could get a regional or 135 job. If not, you could just CFI or whatever on weekends and keep your day job until the majors call.
I'm going to move this to the recruiter section, maybe Lori has some insight.
01-27-2009 | 10:18 AM
#5
Thread Starter
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 134
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From: School Bus
Thanks to everyone for your comments and opinions! Please keep them coming!
01-27-2009 | 02:22 PM
#6
Self Employed.
Joined: May 2005
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From: Corporate Pilot
Take a Break?
I have taken a forced five year break and it has not been good for my airline career. Whenever I try to get a lessor job to regain currency employers are leery and when I try to get an appropriate position I am told that I need to be current.
On top of that the industry is changing fast. Flight experience is already worth half of what it was five years ago. My guess is that if you voluntarily sit out for even a year the climb back up would be difficult.
I would stick it out.
Skyhigh
On top of that the industry is changing fast. Flight experience is already worth half of what it was five years ago. My guess is that if you voluntarily sit out for even a year the climb back up would be difficult.
I would stick it out.
Skyhigh
01-27-2009 | 05:31 PM
#7
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,626
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From: blueJet
I agree that the industry is changing fast, but to me it means that in 5 years many of us would not want to come back to it.
01-29-2009 | 08:00 AM
#8
Self Employed.
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,120
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From: Corporate Pilot
Five years ago
You lost me - are you saying that 4,000 hours today will seem like 2,000 hours in 5 years, or that competitive flight time only goes halfway toward getting an interview?
I agree that the industry is changing fast, but to me it means that in 5 years many of us would not want to come back to it.
I agree that the industry is changing fast, but to me it means that in 5 years many of us would not want to come back to it.
You have a better answer. After being out for five years most likely you will not want to come back anyway.
Skyhigh
02-12-2009 | 05:08 AM
#10
Kept down by the man
Joined: Dec 2007
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From: 767 CA
Just a thought, if you have a current CFI you could instruct part time on the weekends or evenings (if you can find a job) just to stay current. That would probably help and you would be able to pursue whatever other field you chose.
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