Airlines at ATP mins?
 

So what are the prospects in early 2016 for a military pilot with an unrestricted ATP and only a little over those min hours? C-130H time mostly and about 100 hrs of C-130J time. I'd be retiring at 20 and the reason my hours are so low is that I was prior enlisted, and a prior navigator that also did two staff tours. I'll be a graduated non-flying Sq/CC (not that that means anything but may explain the low hours). I could stick around and try for O-6 and still love the AF, but miss flying and the industry seems to be getting healthy again. Just wondering if airlines are a viable option? Thanks for any insights. Happy New Year.

Depends;

1) Who do you know? How good are your contacts at the airlines?

2) What other boxes do you have checked off? EVAL/IP, SEFE, etc?

Just reading the other threads, seems as if most (I say AGAIN most) pure mil guys have higher times, as well a lot of boxes checked. But that's NOW, when that herd thins, so will the competitive factors.

http://www.airlinepilotforums.com/mi...11-update.html

Thanks...probably early to be asking. I do have buddies at majors but not sure how well connected they are. I'll start getting back in touch. Forgot to mention I should be current/qualified at that point because I'll be an attached flyer (only about 30 hrs/yr) even though the unit I'm in is not a flying squadron.

Well connected or not, everyone you know can help you (assuming they choose to). Start reconnecting with them so you can ask for their help/recommendation as you get closer. Leave no stone unturned.

30hrs/yr might not be "current" enough. I've seen 100 in the last year in discussions on currency...YMMV.

I can't remember which app it was, but I thought one of them said something like "In the preceding 12 months have you flown more than 200 hours?"

Like I said, it was just ONE app I remember it on being phrased that way, but it seems as if others do ask in some fashion how much one has flown in the last 12-24 months.

Although depending on where else the candidate might score in the computers system may help if those numbers are low, etc.

To the OP, bottom line, APPLY EVERYWHERE!!!!!!!!!!!

What are they gonna say, "NO"? Maybe for now. Won't be that way for that long.

FWIW, I have barely over ATP mins (1950 TT) with half my time being helos, and regionals have been calling.

Majors, maybe not, but regionals are an option, and being that you are retiring, living on regional pay may be an option.

It's worth a lot to know that...thanks for posting. I'm not above flying for the regionals. And I think I have enough TPIC time to skip being a regional Capt. Current 121 time over a year or two may fill the bill for a follow on to the majors...Something to think about. I'm also considering getting the CFI ticket and doing some GA instructing to see if it scratches the itch.

Sounds like doing some time at a regional would be okay. What is the selection rate for 0-6 right now? Would be pretty impressive to climb up to full bird, although only you know if you really want to do that. I'm just a butter bar right now so making 0-3 seems far away to me.