I did the 737 type and ATP at the same time. Hard to say if I would recommend this path. For starters it had no impact on my interviewing and hiring at FedEx. Occasionally it comes up during a license check at annual training. Here was my logic, since I had not flown any transport category aircraft, the sim time would be good practice for the future. At the time the VA would pay for a large portion; for me getting the ATP in a 737 sim was only about $1,500 more than All ATPs.

However now that I have been in the airline industry for a while I have pretty much determined the sim time I got in the 737 was worthless. Here's the basic deal, cargo aircraft fly a lot different than fighters and the airlines procedures are a lot different than Air Force procedures. I thought I would get some of this in the 737 sim, but the companies which churn out the 737 type are designed for people who already know all the airline stuff. For those who don't, they basically just teach you to do the required take-offs and landings to get you through the type ride.

Once in the airlines you just kind of figure out all the airline stuff on your own and during training the company will help you out with learning their procedures.

If you're considering SWA, it would be worth the extra $1,500 for a backup plan. But if you want cargo, I wouldn't bother. Of course this is all based on the VA paying. If they don't, no way is it worth it, until you have to.

As others have pointed out, all you really need at the FedEx interview, is the ability to hand fly basic instrument maneuvers in a cargo category aircraft. There are lots of ways to practice this skill, but the 737 type ride did none of this for me.

My 737 type rating didn't come up in my interview. I did my ATP with the 737 type rating. The Reserve GI Bill paid a bit more than half at the time. I figured that I'd learn more in the 737 for just a bit more than I'd pay All ATPs. I wasn't too fired up about going to fly a Seminole either after flying
a heavy transport. My rationale was that it would put me in the running for SWA even though they weren't my first choice. I figured that it was worth the extra time and cost. I would say that the profiles were totally canned and you just needed to be a robot for the most part.

I also doubt you'd encounter an interviewer who would look down on you for getting the 737 rating. I'd imagine most guys would remember being in your shoes.

FWIW, I'm at FedEx. I was in your shoes a few years ago. In fact, I took a long weekend to get my ATP (in a 737 sim BTW, paid for in large part by the GI Bill), and while I was just stepping in for the "type ride", I got a call from the Wing CC saying congrats, I was going to be the new flying Squadron CC.... I said thanks and became the CC in a couple of months. I got my ATP and FEw done, and put my App in with FedEx, and updated it for 2 years before I said I was eligible to get out of USAF --- I just kept updating my FEw. I was called for an interview about the time they reopened the apps after being closed for a long time. And nobody asked me about the 737 type rating. And some AF Flight docs are eligible to give a Class 1---but I'd not do it with them---go find out where most airline guys go and go with that doc downtown.

Bottom Line--take a weekend or 2 and "git 'er done"

+1

Indy, I was was able to get in a type class at Higher Power in December on a couple weeks notice. The course itself is 2 weeks, not sure if the leave would be doable for you on such short notice. My class was almost all military and most were getting their ATP as well. I paid for mine out of pocket but will deduct it on my taxes. I had already transferred all my VA benefits to the kiddos.

PM sent.

FWIW Indy, I got my type at Higher Power 2 years ago in January and used my GI Bill, which paid 60%.

If you use the VA bennies, does that close the door on txfr to the kids? I'm still on the MGIB, but haven't cashed anything in and haven't looked at opting over to the Post 9/11 bill.

Aren't the Reserve GI Bill and the Post 9/11 GI bill separate entities?

No, it does not preclude you from transferring to the kiddos. They will just deduct a certain number of months from your benefits when you transfer over to the post 9/11 (at which point you can transfer to your kids). So, your kids might only get 30 months of bennies instead of 36.

For me, I determined it was better to just pay for the type out of pocket and deduct it from my taxes and keep full bennies for my kids. I recommend calling the VA direct prior to making any decisions. 1-888-GI-BILL1

Question for ya'll:

If you flew the C-12J (Beech 1900) for the USAF. Would you list the flying time under the Civilian 12,500-40K column or the Military Heavy column?

Thanks.

Fatty, haven't heard from you in a long time. IIRC, the last time we heard from you, you were giving us flying lessons (even though you've never flown an MD-11?).

I'll admit I haven't looked at the new hire application form ... but does anybody really consider a Beech 1900 a "heavy"? I'm guessing not? :confused::eek: