I get your point. I have not flown much in the last 7 years because I thought I was done with it. I could not sustain the 23 bucks an hour for long with a family and non working wife, but got my type and a little experience on the CRJ. So, I am not starting from 0. Things have changed a lot since, and I am evaluating a possible return. I would still have to take a sizable pay cut for the first 2-3 years. Not trying to "fog any mirror" here, just trying to evaluate what it takes. No decision yet because I am not convinced yet it is the right thing to do in my situation.

 

Please don’t let all the snark and hostility on here dissuade you. What it takes is a drive to succeed and lots of hard work. I am not convinced that lots of Cessna time is going to make a bigger difference than flying approaches in a sim. Only you and an instructor can decide how much refreshing your skills need. I think if you have your flows and memory items down cold and the instructors see you trying most will work with you to help you succeed. But you haven’t found the most welcoming and encouraging group here. I think there is a tendency for people to want to see others struggle as much as they have.

It is a changing industry, but the shortage of regional captains is slowing down the demand for FOs, and it’s quite possible the recruiters will find the eager young 1500 hour CFIs more tempting than someone with 100 CRJ hours who quit. Think carefully about how you will convince an interviewer that you are ready to go the distance this time. You can always call one of the pilot interview prep companies for advice, Raven Careers gave me a free phone consultation. Interviewers want to hear you take responsibility for and learn from your mistakes. If you want back in badly enough, start applying to multiple companies and keep going until someone gives you a yes.

 

Wasn’t what so ever trying he be hostile or snarky if that what OP or you think. But want to pass on the info that regional hiring has slowed down tremendously for FOs at the moment. AA WOs aren’t hiring whatsoever for at LEAST 6 months. The only thing most carriers wants as I mentioned are captains. A CL65 type rating might help their case, but it might not since they don’t have 1000 121 time. I know a handful of people that washed out in training, all of which had a similar story to OP. Got out of flying, and didn’t think about flying at all for several years and then thought they could just jump right back into it after a couple trips around the pattern or a IPC check. All they had been doing was their neighbors annuals once a year. Then got extremely overwhelmed with a fast paced ground school. Just suggesting a path to help their proficiency, all while waiting for a regional interview that might not come for several months. They would be keeping themselves more actively engaged in flying while building experience ans a little extra money. So that’s a Win win to me. To reiterate, things have slowed down tremendously, people are being turned away, left and right, when this time last year, all you have to do is fog mirror to get a job. Those days are done with. That’s all I wanted to say. Just trying to help and have them avoid pitfalls I saw other people experience.

 

The training department's assumptions are not numbers. Simply an expectation of performance.

The training department deals with folks of various experience levels, some with no glass cockpit or turbine time.

 

Thanks for your feedback and perspective Ravenwing, really appreciated.
Prex, I have not applied to any company yet. I am just in this evaluation phase and getting ideas from experienced pilots like you on how to get back in.
I am reading about the shortage of CAs slowing down hiring of FOs, that's a fact. It seems there are more options on the 135 side right now, but I am sure training will be challenging there as well. So, not going anywhere until I feel I am ready. I am thinking CAE SCM could be a good way to start (after getting an IPC, and practicing procedures) if they have a need for part time supporting crew members. One thing for sure, I do miss flying the jet!
All feedback is good, from the "harsh" to the "nice" crowd. So, thanks all!

 

Forgive me, I forgot telling somebody the truth in 2022 is now construed as hostility. Bravo to you mama bear.

 

I came back to 121 flying after a much longer break. It is not as hard as you may guess. Get IFR current and make sure you want to fly again and give it a shot. Endeavor has a great training program. Most of the new hires are flight instructors so the training is really set up to go from a Cessna to a CRJ. Good luck!

 

Thanks for your feedback Gregory, that is encouraging!

 

I agree with that statement too. (regarding the training and your ability to adapt)

 

I will echo one thing said before, all of the washouts I knew about a few years ago were people who had been out of flying for a while and just coming back. Something to be aware of. They’ll give extra training in the sim but the ground school was where those guys were down for the count. If you’ve got a type already you should be fine. But get instrument current.