New 737 pilot needs advice
 

Looking for some advice. I am currently in the Navy Reserves flying the C-40 (737-700). My background is a mix of helos, single engine, multi-engine (king air) and now this. I only just started so I have just under a 100 hrs in a 737 but by summers end should have around 300 total. My total time now is 1600 ish but since some airlines dont count helo time my total fixed wing is around 1200 and by mid summer it should be just over 1500 fixed wing. Fixed wing T-PIC is around 650. I also have my ATP. So the question is- by mid summer, with around 300hrs in a 737 and just over 1500 fixed wing- would I have a shot at getting an interview with a major airline (assuming they are hiring)? Or what about a company like JetBlue (they count helo time and have 1.3 military conversion factor-so my total would be just over 2000 with them)?

Nope. No way. You'll need at least 1500 PIC time in the C-40 to be competitive for the majors. I had 5200 hours of Navy time with 2000 in C-9s, 1000 in CV-580s and 1000 in C-12s with NATOPS IP quals in the C-9 and H-46 plus IP quals in the C-12 and C-131.

That got me exactly squat at Delta, NWA, AA, FedEx and CAL.

Did you have anybody from your squadron walk your resume in? What do you think about getting an interview at a company like jetblue?

Walking in your stuff doesn't help if you don't meet the minimums. Most places want at least 1000-1500 TPIC. Most applicants have way more than that. You may be able to use a military conversion factor of .3 times your totals, but that varies from carrier to carrier and sometimes only applies to TACAIR guys.

Most majors now require only 1000 turbine (SIC or PIC). You are much more competitive with the TPIC, but if you know someone or have multiple internal recs you can get called with out the TPIC. I've seen it many times.

FDX, UPS, SWA still require TPIC. Nobody knows about AA because they haven't hired in over a decade.

The OP should be competitive at many majors..he has military wings, a variety of FW aircraft and quals, and boeing time. He will of course need to leverage his military network...especially the navy reservist/airline guys.

rickair,
thanks- i am banking on the fact that i will have 737 time under my belt, i also have a number of good contacts at the squadron who can walk my resume in. I am targeting United, Deta, American and JetBlue (as i will meet their minimums) and non of these require TPIC. I have been hired by Skywest but would rather wait it out doing the reserve thing than work for 20k a year...

what year are we in? 1992 ?

joke joke, good luck

I would take the 121 gig. Yes, first year pay sucks. But it gets better. More importantly you'll gain 121 time which will help your chances of getting called by a major. There are many ex mil guys here at OO ranging from full-birds to LTs. All with the same goal in mind, get 121 time until majors start to hire. Good luck.

You don't target Delta.... Delta will target you.....