Restarting a flying career
 

I walked away from aviation two years ago after flying Lears on 135 pax charter and airmed for a small company for two years. I walked away due to being burnt out with the endless trips, minimum days off and the treatment of the pilots by the company. When I quit no regionals were hiring and I returned to a non-flying job.

I now want to restart my career, either with a regional or maybe 91. I have 1530 total time, 960 turbine multi SIC and 1193 multi. Oh and a bachelors degree. I realize my biggest issue is my lack of recency.

What steps do I need to take to be hire-able and/or more marketable?

Thank you for your help and fly safe.

rthompsonjr -

I'm curious what has changed in your opinion about the airline industry that would draw you back if most stories from the regional ranks echo those that you seem to have felt at your -135 gig.

USMCFLYR

Thanks for the response USMCFLYR.

A few reasons, one of which is that being away from flying has made me realize how much I miss it. Plus I always wanted to try 121 flying and I got out before I did due to my 135 experiences.

Where I was working we got 3 days off a month and were on call 24 hrs a day unless in rest. Once, I was home for a total of seven nights in a two month period. On top of that, we were only flying around 35 hours a month and sitting in hotels with no car and on 24 hr call in BFE for most of the time away from home.

I miss the actual flying, and I realize that the 121 world is not big paychecks and hot flight attendants. It's hard work for small pay, no recognition and instability with your company. I figure at a regional I will at least be flying when I am away, and know what my days off will generally.

As for pilot treatment I know that all companies have issues, and that pilots are treated like crap most of the time, but at least with 121 there are unions and other pilots on your side.

I'm not sure I'm going to return, I haven't flown since Nov. 2010 so I have plenty to study and need some recency, but I want to at least explore what I need to do.

You'll be surprised how quickly it all comes back and two years in my opinion is not a long time. But those who will be reading your resume′ it will look like a lifetime unfortunately.

You mentioned 91 flying, that is a broad area from C-310s to 737s. What I have learned from all the job applications I have filled out over the years is there's always some kind of "experience" I didn't have. Recently I filed out an application for a local Fort500 company to fly a Gulfstream as a First Officer. I had three times the time required and all the "required" experience. But then there is always the "preferred" experience like time in type and previously working with a particular avionics set up. So those boxes are checked "NO" and my best guess is the computer program never allowed my info to be seen by those looking. 91 flying is equivalent to being drafted in the NFL, one player for one position. But in the world of football recruiters at least have the opportunity to watch you preform, access to your performance records as well as inviting you to camp to demonstrate your abilities.

It might not sound like a great idea, but the easiest way to get current again is to flight instruct along with getting a fresh IPC. Many of the Regionals are hiring pilots out of flight schools and in fact the school I work for part time has lost several to Go Jets. The Regionals should not have a problem hiring you if you are flight instructing to stay current, just a thought and with your time and experience they'd be fools not to.

Hope this helps and best of luck.

With your time you will have no trouble getting a regional job, especially with 1500 hour rule. I assume you meet all the ATP requirements...make sure you do.

You will need, at an absolute bare minimum, to get current...BFR, IPC, AMEL landings. Maybe just knock out your ATP? The advantage of that is it makes your new-hire sim checkride less of jeopardy event, they have more flexibility to rewind and repeat a maneuver if needed. It also gets you into that "training/checkride" mindset that you'll need as a 121 new-hire.

You probably will also need some recency. Look at regional websites to see if they have a formal requirement (100 hours/12 months, 50/6 months, whatever). Even if they don't have a formal number, they will be still be wary if you only have three hours in the last two years.

If you're serious I would get current, apply to everybody, and then try to build some recency while waiting for a call. CFI if you can, otherwise you can always do $100 hamburgers or whatever. If you decide you need to buy a lot of time, you can get a discount on a block purchase...maybe take a trip across the US or something cool like that. Alaska would be even cooler but it's getting late in the year for that...

Job fairs are good...you can talk to the recruiters and get a direct answer as far as what they are looking for in your situation.

At an interview you will have to address why you quit flying, and what you think will be different this time. IMO that's your personal business, if you don't have a good answer feel free to make up a sob story about having a girlfriend (now ex) who didn't like your schedule, etc, etc.

get current...even if its just in a 172.... take an IPC.... start applying now to all the regionals that are hiring...see what sticks first and take it .. you can always move on if something better pops up. having the 1500 hours is def a plus.

I have also been out but it has been almost 10 years. I was furloughed from American and I am looking for ways to get back to an airline (not holding my breath for if/when American calls). Would getting current in a Cessna or doing something like getting a float rating help? Would going to a job fair do anything?

Thanks,
Bob

Thanks everyone, after speaking with my mentor in the flying world, my former chief instructor and a bunch of friends at the regionals, I'm going to try to get on with RAH. I have a couple connections in the PHX area and will most likely head back down that way to instruct for a bit. But I'm going to submit apps as soon as I get a fresh 1st class medical next week and see what happens.

Thanks again for the advice.

Hi guys, my first post here. I'm in a similar situation too. Last time I flew was in March '05. I just got my 1st class medical back (I've got some cardiac issues), and I'm anxious to get back to flying. I've got a commercial ticket and a HS-25 type rating, 2100h total with about 1000h of Hawker time. I'm thinking of paying for an upgrade course at Simcom, as that would include 16h in the sim, which I really need to brush up. Top that off with an ATP checkride, and I'll end up current in the hawker, with an ATP. What do you guys think of the plan?

That's pretty much what the first few years at the airlines is like on reserve also, except I only fly 5-10 hours a month instead of 35.