Alighted

Here's my $.02. I have been with 5 121 carriers (mostly not by choice), and hiring seems to boil down to two common denominators: quality flight time and career progression.

Even if HR recognized that you were furloughed from your last carrier, they will not like the fact that you have gone back to flight instructing -- it will look like you've gone backwards rather than forwards.

In my estimation, you have two choices: you can wait for the "more qualified" (read: higher multi time) pilots to make it through the system and get called; or you can improve your qualifications by accruing some multi time (preferably turbine).

I get that ITE it has been virtually impossible to get a multi job, let a lone a 121 gig. If you choose to accrue more multi, you'll have to be extremely flexible, think outside the box and dig through the weeds to find that job that will get you over the hump.

Finally, I think the 121 resignation can be explained given the flight time and experience you had at the time -- plus, a lot of time has expired since. Work on an interview answer that is concise, unemotional and up front about the situation and don't make the issue bigger than it is. IMHO the resignation is not the stopper, your lack of quality multi time is. Good Luck!

Lori Clark

It's hard for me to 'guess' what's going on, but based on what you've disclosed here it seems that the ME time might be a kicker. If the airlines are using AirlineApps then they are setting their search parameters higher than what you have. They probably don't even know you exist. The 'not qualified' letters are something you can do within AirlineApps - basically those who do not meet the original search parameters they can send a blanket email to without even pulling up your information.
If this might be the case, then I would say to really network (operative word here being "work") your friends and have them walk your resume into the recruiter. They can get some straight feedback on where you are competitively.

Other than that, it sounds like you know what you have to do to be more competitive. Find that ME time and get the ATP. They won't really care why you don't have an ATP, just that you don't have one. You might have to really think out of the box with regard to finding a way to build the ME time. Start talking to people... someone might know someone else who wants to split cost or a friend who owns an airplane, etc. Check into any flight operation within a 2-hour driving distance... if they fly twins, find out what you can do to work for them. This is going to take some homework.
The other option, as Alighted pointed out, is to sit back and wait it out. But who knows how long that will take and what opportunities you'll miss in the meantime. Not to mention it will enhance the disparity of your TT and ME time.

Lori

mooney

what's a furlough supposed to do then if not flight instruct? Nobody else was hiring pilots, I would think that staying current in aviation as an instructor would look better than Home Depot. Instructing isn't going backwards if you are unemployed....now if you voluntarily left 121 to instruct, yes they might not like that too much. Instructing and the other grunt jobs like banner towing are the only other ways to have the x number of hours in 90/120/etc days to get another job if you are furloughed in hard times.

Spin

Why don't you try Cape Air?

Good luck

Red Forman

Agreed, going back to instruct when there are no jobs out there and even finding an instructing gig is tough, is not going to hurt you.

Lori Clark

Absolutely! Sometimes going backwards is the only option. Don't forget too that it means the former employer wanted you back...there is something to be said for that.

IndyAir Guy

I was on the pilot interview board at Atlantic Coast Airlines and I wouldn't have an issue with your past depending on how you explained it. If you passed the blame and started pointing fingers that would be bad. If you excepted responsibility and admitted that you bit off more than you could chew with 300hrs and thats why you threw in the towel then that would be good. We ALL make mistakes, do you learn from them, do you incorporate steps to prevent them in the future? If yes, then hire they guy... if he passes the buck/blame... no. Also most airlines only hire about 25% of the people they interview so keep plugging away at it. I have a large stack of rejection letters even though I was very qualified for the position, there is no shame in that.

fjetter

I'm trying for Cape too, sent Krista my application last week. I have a friend there too trying to help me out. Cape really is my most desirable option other than 121 regionals. To get some ME PIC time quick.

AtlCSIP

Ameriflight could be good also. You would upgrade from the Navajo in 6 to 18 months and have an opportunity to build turbine PIC multi engine time. That would definately qualify you for every regional and some LCC's and majors.

DryMotorBoatin

Also, remember that just because you meet POSTED minimums doesn't mean you meet COMPETITIVE mins. 133 multi when mins are 100 may not make you competitive relative to the resumes they are getting. Just out of curiosity...how much worse is it to actually fail out of 121 training. My initial class had alot of guys sent packin...do they stand any chance?