03sport007

In early 2007 I got out of aviation after flying for a Regional for 10 years. 6 of those as a captain on a CRJ200. At that time my children where young and not being there for certain life events was tough. An opportunely for a 9-5 job making decent money working with a family member presented itself. I took the leap and was able to coach my childrens different sports teams and see them grow up in a way that wasn't possible at my current flying job. Fast forward to now and my children are older and the pull to get back into flying is very strong.

I've been trolling the forums for a couple of months and this seems like a good time to get back into flying. My last 121 flight was in December of 2006. I completed a flight review at a local FBO in September of 2008 and haven't flown sense.

Any advise on getting current again?

Thanks

bedrock

Get some Frasca time or set up your own home system. Do you still have your old company training manuals? Review those just to refire the neurons. Go over all the Pt. 91 stuff for IFR, review approach plates. Review VMc factors. The interview will probably question you on the systems of the last jet you flew, so review those.

Think about a good response to the question "why you left aviation and will you leave again?"

Stratapilot

I know this is none of my business but...

There's a reason why you left in the first place. If you were to go back I imagine the impetus for your departure for the industry might reveal itself again if you got back in to it.

Nothing's changed.
You'll still be paid sucker wages.
You'll still be gone 18 days a month.
You'll still be another mans pawn in another mans game.
It'll still be radio contest rules "Many will enter, few will win"

Rent a plane once a week. There's more than one way to keep your love of aviation alive.

(I'm extremely drunk right now,( I'm not flying for 7 more days so hoity-toitys stay your judgemental blades) so my this is as frank and honest an assessment as you could possibly get)

chrisreedrules

I actually agree with the drunk poster above lol. Flying is great but flying for a living is a drag. I've been at a regional for a year and a half and even with all the movement in the industry I think about what else I could do to earn money and provide for my family. I own real estate and I've been thinking of getting my real estate license because I know I would be good at it. Working this job I feel like I'm missing half of my life back home and that gets old. Now the wife is talking about kids and like you, I don't want to miss that stuff either. All that being said, if you want to get back into 121 flying, it won't be that hard. Every single regional is actively hiring right now. Study your old 121 manuals as one poster above said and refresh your memory of IFR procedures and multi-engine aerodynamics. For everything else there is a gouge.

SimWorld

As an instructor at a regional, I agree with the first responder. Review IFR, Airspace, and Jeppesen Charts. Get a few hours in a plane, doesn't have to be a twin. Get a BFR, and your instrument currency back. I would recommend the book Everything explained for the professional pilot, as some reading material to help refresh your memory. I refuse to blow the horn of come here because we are ........ for Endeavor, but find an airline that fits best with what you want. Pay is getting very comparable at all regionals, and if getting to a major is a goal, maybe look for a garunteed flow. Otherwise, just getting current will help you tremendously since you have more than enough TPIC. You already experienced it once before, so, quality of life is most important. Find a company with a base that works best for you. I believe all of the regional airlines training departments are good and will get you comfortable for any PC event required.

Irishblackbird

I'd say jump back in if your interest is that strong. If you find it is still not to your liking you can always go back to what you were doing before. Sounds like you put your family first(a good thing), maybe achieved a better financial position in life, and are now able to fly without the financial concerns of raising a family. That being said you will probably enjoy the flying more. Regional flying isn't the only game in town, lots of other avenues to choose from, corporate, charter, fractional many with good pay and benefits. Lots of bitter new entrants to the industry that haven't been in it for ten years are going to tell you to stay away. There is lots of opportunity out there and you have the experience in hand to find what's right for you once you are current. When I started 25 + years ago I was flying charter in light twins and turboprops, and getting into a jet and type rated was an achievement. Regional airlines were even competitive to get hired into as well. So for anyone to belly ache and tell you not much has changed is probably just a miserable person that is unable to change with the times or unable to move on to something better. Jump back in, the water is fine! Good luck.

Flogger

To the OP,

Please ignore those imploring you to not get back into flying. Every bad thing you can say about this career at the regional level is absolutely true. That being said-on its worst day this job beats most out there. The only career I would put above it for satisfaction is running your own successful business, but we all know how much work that is.

If you are going to work for some version of "the man"-the man being anyone but you- you should do something you love. Flying for a living is a blast and in today's environment you have more options than ever before.

Get current, breath on a mirror and get hired somewhere you won't have to commute. Not commuting trumps most other factors in this biz.

TalkTurkey

Yea go with drunk pilot poster guy.

Name User

I worked for over eight years at a regional and some days it was very tough. But I never considered leaving aviation. The biggest difference that can be made is living in base. That makes it a damn good job IMO. Are there better? Yes of course.

For those who have spent 1-2 years at the regional level, especially at a fast growing carrier, and are considering getting out, leave. It won't get any better than it has for you. I have news for you - even at the major level there are times things won't look so rosy. Don't spend a significant portion of your life P/O at the world because you hate your job. It's not worth it.

Reminds me of a student I used to have. I asked him why he got into flying. "Well, my neighbor works for FedEx, he doesn't work too much and makes a lot of money". I knew right then and there he would never make it. He didn't even finish is PPL.

Flying especially for an airline, affords many advantages over the 'regular' working stiff. Ability to commute. Higher pay than the median after just a few years of putting your time in. Good health insurance. Excellent 401k company contribution (even my regional gave 8%, my wife works for a large, successful IT company with excellent benefits like on campus free healthcare and even they give 4.5%). Lots of time off to explore side business ideas and improve your life, something many don't have the time for. The list goes on.

HighFlight

Bravo, Sir. Bravo!!