CODs4ever

Joining the club. I am in the same boat here...

3500 Total FW
2800 Turbine FW
1650 TPIC
B737 type
Part-121 and ex mil
(only 25 hours of light recip in the last 2 years)

But...I haven't flown professionally since 2005 (regional airline, post military). Would love to go back to flying real aircraft for a living but the rub is the paycheck reality. Make good money now and even with an offer from the highest paid major/legacy, it would take me 3-5 years to earn what I do now.
Having said all that, I still want to do it as I have 20+ years left before I would have to retire from 121 flying.

The hard part is, I will basically bankrupt myself if I go back to a regional to get real currency. So....I will take an opportunity to go fly pert time in King Airs to get current and see what happens (have a King Air type also). Hope the recent King Air time will be regarded as good enough for an interview.

Kingfisher

1650 TPIC: Turbine? or Total? Assuming that is turbine, along with your 737 type, you should apply to Southwest. The only stipulation remaining for SWA is "Currency: Experience must include actively flying two of the last five years." https://www.southwest.com/html/about...ns/pilots.html Network around the SWA crowd and start the application process.

CODs4ever

Kingfisher,

Yes that is Turbine PIC. I interviewed at SWA in 2006 and now I'm back in the application process there and with a few other major airlines as well, just need to get current in something other than a single-engine piston. Working on that now, via some part-time King Air flying.

fitflyer

Great thread! Considering a comeback as well. Haven't flown since '07. 2700 total, 500 tpic, almost all in a B1900.
Commuting seems inevitable so a base west of DEN is ideal for me. Compass seems like the best bet right now. Any advice would be appreciated!

CODs4ever

I got a retired USMC pilot friend at Compass. Went there to get current. He likes it. If you can afford the regional FO pay for a while you could upgrade to CA in a year or so and be making near 60K. Good luck.

greenleaf

I am in CA currently doing my IPC. I haven't flown PART 121 in 9 years. I am rather surprised my IFR skills are still as good as they are. I passed my medical ok and sent out a few applications. I haven't got any response yet but it's only day 2. I will give it a few weeks and see what happens.
Since I'm from Australia its a bit more complicated, but then again I was made redundant back home so thought I had not much to lose other than having a little holiday in the states...

will see what happens.

CRM1337

Surprised it's been 2 days without a reply. You apply to regionals or LCCs/majors? Regionals should be knocking down your door. Though, airline HR departments could be busy these days with other end-of-year priorities. Finishing your IPC will re-open more doors. While regionals are desperate, some want to see "some" recency.

Latest from my camp- I'm in the hiring mix with a large on-demand charter company. Should have my last interview some time after the New Year. Also recently networked around to gain more leads and opportunities. I have been flying every few weeks, mix of VFR and IFR to stay proficient. It's been fun wrestling the little Skyhawk in the clouds!

I recommend checking out *************.com . It's geared more towards 135 and 91 flying. There many job listings and networking opportunities including outside of the USA. It's a pay forum, but it's noticeably more professional. Pilots helping pilots!

mommyflyer

It's good to hear about all the hiring...I'm exmil who has been out of the flying world for 9 years. Got my BFR, working on an IPC, but my question is, should I use my GI Bill to get a 737 type before applying to regionals for rebuilding recent turbine time? Since I live in NW Arkansas (Tyson and Walmart Corp. aviation are both here), commuting won't be much fun, so best regionals to apply to? I'm seeing that Skywest, Delta, and AA flies into XNA, which is where I would commute to/from, since I doubt my husband would want to move anywhere else right now.

I'd love to fly Southwest or Walmart aviation as a year 1-5 long-term plan, but that might change as I get into the Part 121 world. Almost all my flight time (over 2500TT) is military turbine time.

atpcliff

I was out for 10 years, with less experience than mentioned....no problem with regional, then supplemental training. Got furloughed in training at regional, went supplemental because more pay and better at supplemental.

Ideas for you guys:
ATLAS AIR: to get to work they buy you an airline ticket from an airport near your home.

Southern: just talked to 777 fo new hire coming back. He is getting his 777 type rating at southern, a few hundred hours, then leaving. They also are hiring 737 direct entry captains. I would not recommend 737 FO there. 777 home based...NOT 737.

Omni. All passenger charter. I think you are home based.

Kalitta Air has home basing and needs pilots bad.

Fractionals have home basing...

The hiring situation will only get better for us in the near future!!!

Feel free to PM me...

CRM1337

Here is a good visual indicator of the coming hiring wave that should motivate everyone. (Don't take these numbers as exact and this is all barring any catastrophic economic meltdown, etc.... ) I'd save your GI Bill for a rainy day. Southwest doesn't require the type for the interview. "1 A Candidate may apply without a B-737 Type Rating. If a candidate interviews and successfully completes the entire selection process, he/she has six months from the date to obtain a B-737 Type Rating to be eligible for hire. " - https://www.southwest.com/html/about...ns/pilots.html

Focus on networking and getting current/proficient. Emphasis on the networking.