cwprovan

I am a retiring military pilot but has been shining an office chair with his ass for three years. Plenty of time and certifications, but no time recently. I may have an opportunity for some Part 135 type flying, but want to make sure that this will help getting through the interviews with a part 121 company like UPS, Fedex, etc.

Any suggestions?

SNAFU

Part 121 time would obviously be the cat's meow, but ANY flight time would be better than none at all. Part 135 time is fine for currency at FedEx. 172 time would work, but maybe not that well. I would think the 135 time would be excellent.

SaltyDog

UPS calls folks like you in to interview on a regular basis. I met one a month ago. Sitting in the lobby. Didn't know him but went up to wish luck. Turns out he already interviewed. He was shining at Wright Pat. He was asked why UPS should hire him without recent experience. It really seemed he was caught off guard.
IMO,
1. UPS HR knew he had no recency of experience (I trained one new hire who had not flown in over 5 years)
2. The question is perfect to see if you had been mindful of this issue prior and have an answer (so you meet this one!). Also, perhaps just to see how you handle a perceived difficult question.
3. Retiring military aviators will naturally bounce in and out of flying tours over their career. The military trains these folks successfully all the time in new aircraft, old aircraft, etc after non flying tours, etc. Normal business.
4. #3 is, again IMO, is the root of an effective answer to HR.
"While certainly serving in a career routine non flying tour recently, I kept my basic skills active by flying at the base flying club, blahblah. And always had successful flying tours between my non flying tours (example) and look forward to doing the same at (insert airline name) with you in my new career!"
Can be done in 60 seconds, with absolute confidence and truth and I believe it becomes a non-issue. Even if you didn't fly at the local FBO etc, they will hire you if you are confident you will succeed just like you have been doing.
5. Hint: The airlines all have crewmembers who have medical issues out for long term that can be out for years and return very successfully after the issues are resolved. i,e. Heart issues, cancer, accidents. All conditions that can take several years to get the FAA medical back. All successfully trained as they return. HR knows this. You are not something unknown. They called you in to give you a job, Non currency is not an issue because you have already independently, courtesy of the taxpayer, proved you can be trained (they look at your resume timeline)
Relax and good luck! BTW did you apply to Fedex/UPS?? Hopefully you are.

Magenta Line

At brand X, the recency of experience is, or at least used to be, a big issue. I tried to get a bud in and couldn't even get him a M&G. Tickets, type-rating, hours, etc... but he had been making coffee and ppt. slides for 2 yrs and my ACP said 'he doesn't compete.' I was not happy.

SNAFU

Try a different ACP or another time. I know we have hired guys (albeit in the past) who haven't been current for at least a couple of years. Not many, and maybe not lately, but it has been done.

It is pretty hypocritical to hold lack of currency against you when you might be stuck in the back seat for 2-3 years or more as a new hire anyway. Of course, perhaps that is why they would prefer you to be current. I don't think there is much difference in 2-3 years out of the cockpit and 5-6 if you have the experience required to get an interview here to fall back on.

In either case, I like the way Salty Dog suggested you approach the topic when/if raised.

Tweet46

That is great advice Salty Dog. I am a year out myself and my last job was flying the BD3D...(Big Desk, 3 Drawers). This tour I am flying albeit it's day, VFR, SE.

MD11Fr8Dog

Not totally true, buddy of mine hired in Jan 06, hadn't flown since before 9/11. Still hasn't yet, either, not until he starts IOE on the -11 in Dec/Jan.