Hi,

E-8 JSTARS 707 pilot in Georgia at 17 years in the Air Force. I am currently in the left seat as an aircraft commander. I was just wondering if I could get some opinions on being hired by Delta now or in the next few years I’m most likely getting out at 20 years but could technically exit next month.

One thing about being in the Air Force is that you have other jobs aside from flying. I just did a 1 year non-flying overseas tour and now am flying twice a month to be maintain some proficiency, but the rest of the time I do office work. That is most likely not going to change since the younger pilots are are lining up to deploy since that is how you get hours and upgrade.

I have about 2500 hours total with roughly 1200 PIC, 800 SIC, and the rest student and other time. That is probably not going to increase dramatically in the next 3 years when I hit 20, so I was just wondering what my chances are of being hired as a FO with Delta? From my research on here I’m thinking it’ll be the regionals, but you never know.

Thanks!

 

I'd say get your app in as soon as you can. While we have hired a lot over the past several years, retirements haven't really begun in earnest. If you have friends at Delta, hit them up for a letter of recommendation, which will at least get your application scored. Delta has a history of loving pilots with military time, so hopefully that will work in your favor and you can bypass the regional route. Best of luck to you!

 

I agree with the previous response as far as get your application in as soon as you're ready to get hired. It sounds like the toughest part for you might just be currency. Worst case I expect if you go to a regional you would only be there long enough to get good currency before you'd be snapped up.

Definitely get your full time in if you can, one way or another. Of course, the sooner you can get a seniority number the better as well. If you go out with some time left I'm sure you'd likely look for a reserve or guard unit to give you the last few years.

 

They would be in the Air Force but in the Navy he is a Captain, both O-6 ranks, which by the way was a PITA every time you made BOQ reservations at a AF base.

The extended career is easy to explain, Mav got off of active duty in 1992 was hired by Delta and promptly furloughed. He then got on with a fly by night cargo outfit flying mostly out of Hong Kong. During the second Gulf war he affiliated with the reserves flew G-4s for a few years waiting for the right time to come back to Delta. In 2006 with BK he gave up, went back on active duty and is now the oldest flying O-6 in the Navy at 55.

Sadly, Mav is a strong proponent of age 67 hoping to come back to Delta after he saves the world once again.

Scoop

 

Sorta parallels somebody we know, huh?

 

As a new guy I appreciate the info about reserve rules. For my own sanity: Live in Philadelphia and am 1:25 to Newark, 1:55 JFK and 2:00 LGA with “minimal” traffic (it’s never zero). I’m on the A320, and there are no A320 departures out of EWR right now, but it’s still ok to sit reserve at home? I’ll ask in my probation interview but all my buddies say it’s kosher. I appreciate any thoughts. Thanks! Very excited to be here.

 

The NYC base includes JFK, EWR and LGA. Period.

Doesn’t matter what aircraft you are on.

 

You’re good. If you want more peace of mind you can run it by your mentor or CP during your initial probationary meeting. Welcome and enjoy the ride!

 

Your drive times seem pretty optimistic from what I see it actually taking Philly guys but regardless you are legal since you can use EWR even if your fleet has no departures out of there.

 

I did that drive for 20 years, you're fine. And your times are accurate.