So my current gig is getting ready to go away and I am strongly leaning toward getting out of aviation for a while. I have a question and I hope someone with hiring experience or someone who has been in a similar situation can help.

If I were to leave aviation and just stay current flight instructing on the side would I still be competitive with a legacy? I have around 7000tt with over 1000 PIC in both 121 and 135, heavy intl experience, yada yada yada. So I have pretty much been there done that and now feel it might be a good time to get out and try something else. I would still like to keep my options open to come back but I don't have any interest in most of the places hiring currently.

Opinions?

 

I would say staying current by Flight instructing a few hours a month might not cut it for a "Legacy", however with the experience you have and the ramped up hiring that is "supposed" to come i'm sure its possible. Good luck

 

What'll more likely happen is that you'll get offered a job at a regional or ACMI first. A few months later, after getting some "real" currency, you'll likely have a shot at the majors.

Then again, like JM said, if you're looking to come back in a few years the majors might be pretty desperate for anyone that meets the new FAA guidelines they might just take you.

But I think the first scenario is more likely.

 

You would be hire-able, but below other applicants with current military, 121, or turbine experience. If they exhausted all of those you would be next up I think.

You could probably get away with picking up some turbine 91/135 charter flying, maybe starting a year before you think you want to jump.

You do have an excuse...your job's going away. It's not like you quit the regionals because you got sick of it.

 

Brian,

I'd try to get the aviation job of your dreams and then go play with whatever your other interest is on the side. It boils down to, "which job is more difficult to obtain?"

Right now, good flying jobs are scarce and in high demand. But, getting leave from a good flying job for up to a year is pretty easy. Or, better yet, sit on reserve, do nothing and get paid from an airline while you are also getting paid from another job.

A lot depends on the flexibility of your employer. If you work for yourself in a small business you can always delegate or reschedule work to make the airline gig come first.

 

Stay current in something. I have been out for 4 years and am having a real hard time getting back in. I have similar quals as you and cant get a regional interview.
Not a lot of sympathy for those out of the industry.

Good luck with everything!!

 

I have to agree with the need to stay current. That is the only thing that may hurt you but you can always get back into GA when you feel like coming back. As others have said too, continuing to stay current by flight instructing would be great if you have that option.

 

Once out for even six months your value as a pilot quickly drops to near zero. Try to get back in and you will be over qualified for a regional and far from competitive for a major. My two bits is that if you voluntarily leave you had better prepare yourself for it to be a permanent change.

Circumstances might be different in the future but it seems to me that with every passing year minimums to make it into one of the good jobs is rapidly inflating while entry into the regionals is dropping. You could get stuck in the middle and become effectively unemployable as a pilot for anyone.

Coming changes in hiring minimums I believe will serve as a catalyst for the advent of cadet programs here in the USA. I watched as my own regional passed up very qualified applicants for brand new indentured servants with a few hundred hours. They make for better passive employees then experienced middle aged guys.

Skyhigh

 

Utterly ridiculous, and not at all true. Not remotely true.

That's true only if you were never properly qualified or credentialed in the first place.