gasnhaul

Guys,

I'm not getting out of the USAF until Oct of next year. At least that's when I should be able to start my terminal leave. I'm trying to get ahead of the power curve and already have my ATP/737 type, FCC permit, etc, but still need a class one and my FE written, which I'm studying for now. My question is should I get my physical done and FE taken with hopes of getting in the current UPS window or should I wait until I get closer to my date cuz they ain't gonna call this far out anyway?

Preshkiate it!

GNH

Led Zep

GNH,
That is a very good question, and one that I'm not sure I can accurately answer for you. I'll give you my $0.02 on the topic, and perhaps someone with some more experience in this area can offer up some advice.

It is good to apply as early as practical so as to be ahead in the interview/hiring game. Also, I wouldn't safely assume that somebody would not call you this far out. I guess my advice would be to check and see if the application gives you the option to list your earliest available date. If it does and an available date a year or so down the road will not negatively affect your chances, then I think it is probably safe to apply. It has been a while since I've filled out an app, perhaps someone could elaborate further?

As far as the physical and the FE written, I would encourage you to do them as early as you could. The FE written is good for two years, so if you take it now it would still be valid for about 11 months past your date of separation. For at least that amount of time you wouldn't have to worry about taking it. With regards to the physical, I would get a first class before you apply because I think most applications will ask you if you have one.

I apologize if my response was vague, hopefully I was able to give you some insight. I wish you the best of luck!

MoosePileit

GNH, I agree w/ LedZep, You're sitting nicely. The 737 type says SWA to some and just plane ready for anything to others. The FEX says UPS/Fedex hopeful- do you have bros at all of the lines you are interested in? Letters of rec and the resume are also hopefully lined up at about this point. Your bros can best answer the timing for each application and resume- UPS, for instance, has been doing short windows of opportunity, and I have not heard them being rough on folks not readily accessible to starting.

An AirInc or similar conference planning/suit buying and post separation budgets for a year or so after DOS would be well timed also.

Your terminal leave can be cut short if stuff is stuck to the fanblades at that time, I hope you haven't lost too much leave recently on the use/lose balance sheet.

Good Luck!

UPS1856

Careful on that 737 type rating. UPS grilled me on that during my interview.
Makes it look like SWA is your #1 choice. Not sure about the other airlines. (If SWA is your #1 choice, then the choice is easier). Much easier to explain that the GI bill paid for it, but wasn't my case).
No need to study for that FEX written, go to www.allatps.com. No studying, just walk in, watch their computer program and take it that day.

JC Dude

I agree with the above. Apply as soon as possible to get your stuff in as you never know when the windows will close. Currently the Fedex window is closed to new applications. As far as the physical, get it to apply then I wouldn't worry about getting it renewed until you get an interview.

As far what qualification looks like to whom, don't worry about appearances. You have to qualify for all then dance with who brung ya. You can always explain that "brand X" is your first choice and you were trying to make sure you qualified for all in case they (brand X) didn't call.

My $0.02.

JC Dude

gasnhaul

Guys,

Thanks for all the replys. I know SWA won't let you apply more than a year out, but seems the UPS website won't let you reapply for a year, so I wasn't sure if it makes sense to do it now or not. Also, I'm possibly going to be upgraded to instructor in the Hercapotamus (previous KC-135 inst/eval) so I was thinking maybe I'd hold off until I get the IP stamp back and have that on the resume.

Zep, thanks for the inputs...not vague at all. Actually my question was pretty open ended and I appreciate the response.

UPS, thanks for the head's up. I didn't have any GI bill availablility either, but I think I have some pretty good reasons to have gotten the type. Mainly since we have to pay for the ATP, seemed to make sense to not spend the money up front to get the ATP, then have to go get the type if my #1 (Brown) doesn't work out. Plus I know another guy who did the same and like you is working there now. Also, I have the Sheppard FEX study program and hope to be ready by the end of the weekend for the test.

Moose, good point. I know terminal leave is exactly that, but I'm really not in bad shape and hopefully my leave won't be affected. I'm at Pope, we're being BRAC'd and my job has taken me out of the deployment window unless I want to go. Hopefully the Wing King won't have any problem finding a replacement for me...shouldn't be hard as I'm not very sharp anyway

Thanks again guys. Unless someone can chime in and tell me I can't apply this far out I'm gonna try to get my physical done this week and same with the test.

GNH

ugleeual

Put Apps in about 9 months out... get your FE and 1st Class done about 3 months prior to that date. You need that blasted Radio Telephone Op Permit... few bucks online (easy process)... but other than that you look GTG.

I would also recommend putting the money away starting now... I saved for one year before separation... and thankful I had a nice buffer. Money sucks for a year/two after you get hired... then you are back to what you made on AD.

4FrozenFans

The Sheppard Air study program worked like a charm for me. I studied the question bank several times, followed by the ASA book when I wasn't near my computer. The week before taking the test I just took the practice test via Sheppard each night until my mind was numb. The real test was a piece of cake after that.

-4FF

Albief15

As someone who's helped a few folks at this, here's some advice.

Apply ASAP. If you have a DAL or FEDEX app on file for 2 years and you update it, you A) won't miss a window when it closes without notice and B) send a signal you've been interested a long time (i.e...I didn't just apply because SWA turned me down)

Second--FEX written expires in 2 years. Shoot for 18-12 months out to take it. If you make less than 90% consider taking it again.

737 types are expensive and the BRAND you as a SWA wannbe. So--if your blood in canyon blue, and you are 100% that's your first choice--go for it. If you think you might want a shot at Airtran, CAL, Delta, or UPS...realize what the type says to the interviewer. With lots of folks leaving carrier X for carrier Y, the cost of losing employees does factor into the decision process. Make your own call, but if you are connected it seems you can get a SWA interview without the type. BTW...they probably won't be hiring for a year anyway, so why burn those bridges and that money now. If they open up you can get your type at Pan Am, FTI, Highter Power, K&S, etc in about 2-3 months max. No major incentive to do that early, IMHO.

And the most important tip of all:

Don't be a dirtbag at work. If you work hard until the last day, you can always stay in IF there is another 9/11, or things in the industry change rapidly, or you change your mind. I've seen several guys who I thought were 100% sure they were bailing change their minds, and stick around. So--don't burn bridges. Doing a good job there will also make you more marketable to a Guard or Reserve job--if you want to play that card. (I certainly enjoyed my job flying Eagles part time, and thought it made a huge difference in my financial situation those first couple years--as well as being very enjoyable for a lot of other reasons).

Network network network. Can't stress that enough.

PM if I can be of any help, and best of luck...

gasnhaul

- Ug, already got the FCC permit and I've been saving like a miser (except for the $7K that went to HPA)...my wife is thrilled with my newfound desire to spend nothing on her!

-4FF, I actually used their program for my ATP written and it did the trick, so I'm a repeat customer for them.

- Albie, actually I just got the type 2 weeks ago from HPA. The only thing I currently don't have is the FE written and I have to get a class 1 again. That's the reason I'm wondering if I should try to get my FE done this week and get my physical done or wait for the window to reopen in some months down the road. I'd rather do it sooner than later for sure, but since my firm separation date (w/out terminal leave) is Dec 19, 2008, I'm wondering if this is too far out and my app will be shuffled to the bottom of the stack and won't merit serious consideration. Also, nothing against the Guard or Reserves (actually wish I would have started out that way) but either I'm gonna be in or I'm gonna be out. If we have another 9/11 I'll find something else to do if there is no work to be had in the airlines. The deployments and having dudes stop you because your PT shirt isn't tucked in downrange grinds me to no end. We've lost the focus I'm sorry to say and it's time to for me to get out...

Thanks again for all the help guys!

GNH