Age is the one thing that they don't care about. Every hiring wave has several 25-26 YO in it. Several were hired the last time around and also the time before that. I wish I was that young when hired.

I'm like you waiting for an invite. I'm definitely much older and have the TPIC and other stuff, but I would like to complement you on your achievements. I think for a 26 year old you have an impressive resume. You very well could receive an invite soon. There have been a few from my employer that have received an invite and have above and beyond credentials as you do with no TPIC. You definitely have additional stuff than many FO's I've flown with don't have - usually on a trip the conversation about applying and what ones creditials comes up.

Best wishes to you. Wish I could give you advice, but in the same boat as you. Even if you don't get hired till 27 or 28 you are way ahead of the pack in many respects.

Join the ANG, and you will get picked up pretty quick.

They are not allowed to discriminate against people over the age of 40 per the Age Discrimination Act in Employment of 1967 (interesting that laws used to be named based on what was actually in the law...I digress). They can discriminate at will against people under the age of 40 though I'm not sure why they would.

http://i.imgur.com/IW8simF.gif

Serious question for those who say upgrade is not in sight; why don't you try to get into a place where upgrade is in sight? Aren't Compass and Trans States growing like crazy right now? Maybe there are others I'm not aware of? Is there a good reason to stick around a place with few opportunities?

First year pay sucks but regional FO pay sucks a lot more than regional captain pay and major FO pay is better than both.

If he's looking to get on Delta pretty quick via that method unfortunately I don't think that will do it. Alot, if not all, units hire this year for next years slots. So he'd be interviewing 2015 for 2016 slot. By the time he interviews, goes through OCS, UPT, and qualifies at his/her unit it could be an easy 3-4 years before he's back to life and available to DL. Join ANG or Reserve because it's an awesome opportunity and way to serve. No doubt it would help his resume, but almost certain it won't result in a quick pick up - IMO.

The problem with many jumping to go to another "quick upgrade" is it could be a complete flop. I'm not saying it is and many wouldn't gain to go, but unless you are on property when it is announced for the growth many may not reap those benefits. The way many of these regionals will be able to fill the seats of their planes with FO's and captains is if they can attract them from other regionals. There really is not enough new up coming pilots through the pipeline that meet RATP or ATP mins. This is fact since I've seen it through visiting many flight schools to talk to pilots who want to be airline pilots.

Flew with one FO that was at the 4th regional of his career because it was the "place with a quick upgrade" at the time. Now being a 7 year FO he said he should have stayed at regional #1. Endeavor was supposed to be an excellent place for people to go with their SSP, ETD, but look how that faired for them. There will be some that go to places with quick upgrade and win, but many would not gain from that - IMHO.

Oh plus you tell the wife that you are going to commute to regional XYZ because they now had the quick upgrade, but she remembers current regional had the "quick upgrade " 7 years ago, but still FO and also you've spent thousands on job fairs and interview prep and you tell her that now you are going to take a pay cut, but it will be a " quick upgrade"....... I've actually heard this story before from someone. Not everyones story, but it has happened. There are many dynamics to seeing if it worth starting all over.

You don't need to be a military pilot per se to get the application points. Delta is looking for any military service.

Don't worry, Delta likes young boys............wait....no.....that didn't come out right.

From the time you walk in the door at a ANG unit and request a pilot slot you are looking at around 4 years before you finish up type specific training and 90 days of seasoning. Just getting the Top Secret clearance now required can take a year.