I sent this to a few mil buddies recently, it's applicable to other lurkers out there thinking about making the transition. It's geared towards United, but applicable everywhere.

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This is after you have read Albies original post to this thread as well as his "Timing your exit" post.

http://www.airlinepilotforums.com/military/56541-timing-your-exit-2011-update.html

You may already be behind on a few items, but everything he says is spot freakin' on so start playing catch up now.

-FAA 1st class medical, get it, and make sure you keep getting it every six months (it has to be within 6 months when you show up for the interview).
-Social Security Card (4-6 weeks if you need a new one)
-High school and College transcripts (1-3 weeks)
-Passport (4 weeks if you pay for rush deliery),
-FCC licence (2-4 weeks)
-Driving record (I brought a copy from the state)

-Start getting all of that stuff together, now. Resume, keep it updated. Application, finish it, polish it, keep it updated.

If you need help writing a resume, www.aerocrewsolutions.com can help. I thought mine was nice already, they made it better.

-Recommendations, it's never too early to start. Nor is it to early to start networking old squadron buddies, DH's, CO's, etc.

-Interview prep, I recommend both ECI and ACS. I used both. This was my first job interview in probably 15 years, you may be more comfortable and feel you don't need it, over to you.

-Suits, shoes, ties, shirts... etc. Get them, tailor them, make sure they're ready to go at a moment's notice.

Do you see a trend here? The point being, as Aaron spells out... when you get the call you want to be ready to go.

My call and intervew literally happened that fast. I got the call on a Wednesday to verify info, took the online personality assessment that afternoon, got the call Thursday to setup an interview, and I was able to take the first one available which was the next week at 0800. I flew in the day prior so I could relax, prepare and get some sim preparation in. Not trying to blow my own horn here, this is all just following Ablies advice, but I can't imagine trying to make that tight of a turn if I hadn't been preparing starting a year ago. I already had everything listed above, I just spent two days polishing my paperwork, making scans (put those Power point skills to use and scan/edit/print your paperwork vice crappy photo copies), making things nice and doing some final interview prep over the phone and via web meeting. It's stressful enough when the call does come (and all of you WILL get a call), so start getting ready now.

Sim prep, over to you. I bought 2 hours of box time the day prior, and it was $1100. Was it worth it? Abso-freaking-lutely. For me anyway. Someone smarter than me said sim prep goes like this: "Damn that was expensive." You get the job, and never think of it again. Or "Damn that was expensive," you don't get the job... but you don't hate yourself for not preparing further. Over to you on if you need it, I waffled on the cost and whether to do it, but you're shooting for a multi-million dollar career here... and I couldn't have performed doing it cold. Some guys can.

One last thought, the interview starts when you walk out of the house to the airport, and doesn't end until you get home. I can't stress this enough. If you're not a natural dick head then this isn't an issue, but you don't know who you're doing to meet along the way before or after the interview. ;)


If anyone needs a testimonial to Albie, ECI or ACS, I got the job. :D

Congrats Grumble! I'm glad things worked out for you. How did you find sim prep? Did you use ECI or was there someone near your interview that you found? How recent was your interview?

Someone in one of the prior threads here mentioned FTI in Denver, so I googled them. Top notch operation, the instructors were great and know the United process. Ran into some of the United interviewers while there and they were excited guys were learning about and utilizing the facilities, so they're on board. Interviewed last month. Nothing really to add beyond what's posted on here. The whole process was exciting and everyone couldn't have been nicer or more encouraging. Charlie Venema and his staff are first class. Keep networking and updating those apps, from what they told us calls are only going to increase!

Thank you for sharing these insights. I am all for any hints to make an interview less stressful and increase its likelihood of success.

An update:

Delta calls going out.
United telling interviewees 110/month in 2014.
Us Air hiring.
SWA hiring 200.
Jetblue hiring.
American hiring Nov/Dec.

Its really happening. The rush is finally here. I have not seen this much hiring in 10 plus years of interview coaching.

We have a sim program in place in Denver. We may also add sims in Las Vegas.

Only dark spot is rumors of no FDX hiring until late 2014, and then very limited numbers.

You have been warned. Get ready. UAL alone is going to hire more pilots in 6 months than the AF can produce in a year. Guys stuck at regionals are finally going to get a shot at the next level. Military renention experts and regional recruiters are about to have a really tough period.

Late getting to this party and saw your OKC class next week is full. Any chance of adding seats or another class? I would love to attend.

Delta is calling? I am still waiting........ Patience was never a virtue of mine. Meanwhile, I am getting offers at Corporate Fight gigs and Regionals so often they have my head spinning. I retire from active duty in less than 2 months and I am not sure if waiting for the golden call from Delta will ever happen, but I can tell you one thing, I will have a flying job of some sort.

Another Emerald Coast customer here--was hired by my 1st choice on my first real interview ever. As others have said, I didn't know how not ready I was until I went to the seminar.

I did Albie's seminar back in April and didn't interview until late October, but after looking over my notes and going over my TMAAT stories I was ready.

Do not wait to do interview prep, do it now!!! Emerald Coast has a "customer for life" policy and you can always attend another seminar if required.

Also, for any UAL interviews--DO THE SIM PREP! I used FTI the night before my interview and it made the simulator event a non-event. $1100 is a lot of money, but I honestly would pay twice that amount knowing what I know now. Also, at FTI, I was able to do my practice sim in the same sim (same box) that I used on interview day. Not many companies can claim that.

Bottom line: Get ready for the interview before you get called. Get your stories in order before the call. Clean/polish everything up after the call and schedule your sim prep ASAP after a call from UAL.

Good luck.

What's a recommended way to go about this if you don't want your current employer to know you are job hunting? I work at a small company where I can't just say "I'm taking the day off", but they wouldn't be happy to know I'm looking for another job. I don't want to burn that bridge in case other things don't work out.

APC newbie here. If Albie's program is good for life, then it's presumably not too early to start now? I'm a flight instructor about a year away from ATP minimums, maybe less if I stay this busy through winter. Stupid question, but I'll ask anyway: is Albie's program overkill for regionals? Or maybe it should be thought of as early prep for the majors, since interviewing is a skill all its own. Thanks to Albie for the wake-up call & inspiration. Hadn't realized that it's time to snap out of the daydreams and get my butt to work!