Since the big guys are hiring now I'm putting in apps. Wondering if I should submit a cover letter explaining why I haven't been flying much since I left the Air Force and am now finally trying to get on with the Airlines, or if I should save that for the interview. My thought was I might not get an interview if I didn't explain. Recommendations?

 

I'm unfamiliar with the apps that allow you to attach a cover letter but I only went through airlineapps. I have been to told by hiring at my airline that some think a gap in flying...I mean that you're currently in a gap...severely hurts your chances of even getting called. The hiring people at my airline told me that, for whatever it's worth, flying is a perishable skill and lack of currency is not good. If it is just a gap in the past and you're now current? Who cares. They probably won't even ask about it.

I've heard supervisors say that lack of currency shows a lack of a commitment to the profession. Grain of salt taken.

 

Yes, I agree with all that, or have heard the same, so my question is, do I address that upfront, or wait and see? From your answer, you think they won't even consider me so I wouldn't have anything to lose by submitting the cover letter, right?

It's not that I'm completely non-current. I have been flying as a CFI in my spare time, but it's not the same as flying for a commuter or corporate or the like. In a way (in my own opinion!) what I have done, giving up my weekends to teach new pilots and keep my flying skills active, while continuing to provide for my family, shows a pretty solid commitment to aviation.

 

This might be a stupid question but, does a gap in flying mean a gap in a 'flying job' or a gap in flying all together? I am currently flying a desk, but I stay FAR current across the board. Just wondering what to put for a future airline application...

 

I don't think the type of time matters a ton. 121 or the like helps, but CFI would count for the generally accepted min of 100 hrs in the past year. Not flying at all would not get you a look.

Regarding the cover letter, I'm saying that I don;t know how you'd do it even if you wanted to (on airlineapps). Unfamiliar with any carriers who use other processes. Personally, I would not do it. I don;t think it'll help.

 

I agree with HT89. Assuming you have a good bit of flying time / experience with your USAF career, I've heard it doesn't really matter what you're flying now--just that you are still flying. You'll never lose those thousands of hours in your logbook If you've pursued a desk job post-AF but kept flying, I would think that shows a continued interest in aviation.

And, btw, I just got hired recently (waiting on a training date). Since I retired from the USAF 4 years ago, I've been a contract fighter sim instructor, which includes quite a bit of time in the cockpit, but I've also kept under my rear by flying civilian warbirds.

I think your resume will speak for itself. Adding something to a cover letter should only be along the lines of "I've always loved aviation ... since retiring / separating from the USAF, I've continued to pursue my love of flying by being an instructor, blah, blah."

Blue skies!

 

Outside of airline apps, many carriers let you attach other items like cover letters. But I agree that if you have kept some type of regular flying currency then you should meet the min cut to be considered and you will be compared to the others in the military stack being reviewed at the time.

From there networking and luck will play a big part in getting the call to interview at least during these initial stages of hiring by the majors.

Linked In, job fairs, and networking with old squadron members has paid big dividends in my efforts.

 

I don't suppose it matters anyway - I did their "Fit Assessment Questionnaire" yesterday. A bunch of psyco-babble questions that I probably tanked. I'm convinced these questions are written by someone not completely sane. "Does it always bother you when someone criticizes you?" True or False. Answer True if you "mostly" agree or False if you "mostly" disagree. How can you mostly disagree that you are ALWAYS bothered when someone criticizes you?

I'm not disparaging anyone who made it through this barrier! I just doubt there is any correlation between "passing" these tests and determining that someone is compatible with their company...