lack of recent experience
 

Has anybody been hired recently by a major airline without recent experience? I know some companies specifically state a requirement for recent experience (Sprit Airlines requires 50 hours in the last 12 months); I am interested if during this time of “pilot shortage” airlines are more lenient on the recent experience requirement.



My flight time is very competitive and includes check airman experience and international wide-body PIC time, but my last flying job was over six years ago. I am “current” with a recent IPC and BFR in a single engine airplane. Of course, I can just put out my applications and see what happens but I prefer to not wait an additional three-to-four months before it becomes clear that I need to get current (regionals, 135) before my phone rings. I am considering buying an A320 type (again Spirit Airlines, they prefer it) but this does not give recent experience, just simulator time.



Any input from people in the know or from anybody who did get hired without recent experience would be much appreciated.

Lack of Recent Experience
 

I have put the same thread out in the Major Airlines section but I am just as interested in working for a Corgo Airline:
Has anybody been hired recently without recent experience? I know some companies specifically state a requirement for recent experience (Sprit Airlines requires 50 hours in the last 12 months); I am interested if during this time of “pilot shortage” airlines are more lenient on the recent experience requirement.



My flight time is very competitive and includes check airman experience and international wide-body PIC time, but my last flying job was over six years ago. I am “current” with a recent IPC and BFR in a single engine airplane. Of course, I can just put out my applications and see what happens but I prefer to not wait an additional three-to-four months before it becomes clear that I need to get current (regionals, 135) before my phone rings. I am considering buying an A320 type (again Spirit Airlines, they prefer it) but this does not give recent experience, just simulator time.



Any input from people in the know or from anybody who did get hired without recent experience would be much appreciated.

I know at JetBlue they've been pretty strict on recent experience. I don't know the exact numbers. There's a guy that posts on here that made it to the second phase of our interview process only to be asked to go get recent experience. He went to a regional and was subsequently hired by Jetblue.

I don't agree at all with how that went down but at least they reinterviewed and hired him.

Going to a regional is a big sacrifice for just about anyone that isn't a CFI and even for most of them I'm sure. But with your experience and then a recent training experience in a jet at a regional you'd have a very competitive resume. But with just a BFR and some recent single engine time I'm guessing it would be tough to get an interview at any major. Good luck!

I had the exact same question going into my military retirement this year - and it was answered for me as I waited to hear, but did not. My recency wasn't very significant (I had only been able to keep current with ~100 hours/year). All else on resume was competitive--but nobody called. Notes above on jetBlue are right on.
I took the regional route and my recency is now building quickly...check in with me in a few months to hear the exciting conclusion!

Best of luck!

I'd paint the walls with your resume and apps. See who bites. I wouldn't go to the regionals unless you got shot down by every other scum bag lift for hire cargo allegiant type operation.

Good luck out there!

Check your PMs.....

Thank you very much for your reply. Your example seems close to my situation and confirms my concern about lack of recent experience.

Working for a regional would not be a sacrifice for me: I would be happy to get back into a jet in a well-structured 121 environment. It would be a delay to the ultimate goal of course and I am no longer a twenty-one year old CFI....

I am considering that too. There is a major downside to that idea though in that some of those companies near the bottom rung of the ladder have a lack of solid training, higher potential for violations or maintenance issues.

I would would hope that most regionals have less of these potential problems although that might be wishful thinking.

Thank you.

Lack of Recent Experience
 

I have put the same thread out in the Major Airlines section but I am also interested in working for a Charter Airline:

Has anybody been hired recently without recent experience? I know some companies specifically state a requirement for recent experience (Sprit Airlines requires 50 hours in the last 12 months); I am interested if during this time of “pilot shortage” airlines are more lenient on the recent experience requirement.

My flight time is very competitive and includes check airman experience and international wide-body PIC time, but my last flying job was over six years ago. I am “current” with a recent IPC and BFR in a single engine airplane. Of course, I can just put out my applications and see what happens but I prefer to not wait an additional three-to-four months before it becomes clear that I need to get current (regionals, 135) before my phone rings. I am considering buying an A320 type (again Spirit Airlines, they prefer it) but this does not give recent experience, just simulator time.

Any input from people in the know or from anybody who did get hired without recent experience would be much appreciated.