Hello,

After spending the last 7 years in the corporate world I am excited to make a change and I plan on applying to Southwest and US Airways. However, I am wondering where my times fall into place with everyone else that is in the hiring pool so I was wondering if anyone can take a look and fill me in. I am not only concerned with SWA or US Airways, but in general . Keep in mind that I don’t have any 121 experience, but I have been in and out of 135 for about 5 years.

Currently a 135 captain on a mid-sized corporate jet
Total time – 3400
Turbine – 2800
Jet - 1640
Turboprop – 1110
Multi – 2815
PIC - 1650

I appreciate any feedback I can get and I look forward to learning a bunch from this forum, thanks!

Drew

 

Been doing some research and I want to give a little more specifics that seem to be helpful... I have 1,500+ turbine pic, have flown about 350hrs in the last 12 months, and have a 4 year degree. And unfortunately, I do not really know anyone who can walk in a resume, all my friends are flying in the corporate world... thanks

 

You have about the same experience as many of the people who have had their resumes in for 6 or more months. Without any 121 experience you will need a few internal recs, and someone to walk in your resume. Good luck.

 

How about places like Jet Blue would they hire a Part 135 corporate pilot with those times, It may be a good way to get your foot into the 121 world. I am in the same position with a bit less flight time but would love to get on with SWA in the future but I cannot afford to work for the regionals.

 

Your times are typical of a junior regional captain...most majors have a large stack of those resumes. You will definately want to persue an inside hook-up. I'm always networking when I jumpseat...do you get repositioned commercially? If so try to get a moment to chat up the crew if circumstances permit.

 

You could get hired anywhere you meet the mins (which is pretty much everywhere) but you will need an internal recommendation. Otherwsie there's nothing to seperate you from all those RJ pilots, who at least have 121 experience. JetBlue is not doing so great right now, not sure what their hiring situation is.

 

Rickair is right about networking on every flight you get on. I know a handful of people who went from new SAAB capts to the right seat at a major and were under qualified compared to many of the people in their interview and new hire classes. If the crew does not seem busy ask the latest company news, you might add you are pursuing a change to 121 in the near future and someone might ask if you have a resume handy.... at that point you have nothing to lose!

 

Your total time is on the low side for a civilian only applicant for many places. The rest of the info above is spot on. Even high time guys need to network these days.

 

Hey thanks everyone for your input... This biggest challenge for me is that I just dont have any connections with any majors, my friends from college and the industry are either buried deep in regionals or corporate flyers.
Here is my thought- I am lucky to have a pretty good gig in socal, I fly a lot but I dont ever overnight, not on-call aka not attached to a leash and a pager, pretty laid back atmosphere and flying good equipment. I could stay here for 1-3 years till something opens up at southwest without too much heartache. Thats the only reason I dont want to go to the first major that would hire me. USAirways is intriguing because I "hear" that there is a small chance they will send you to PHX on the bus right out of the gate, but who knows how true that is... I guess I just need to hang around the terminals and make some new friends!!

 

You can always apply in and see what happens. It is unlikely they will call you anytime soon, but if hiring picks up in the next 6 months and you already meet the mins, your stuff is already in there. They cant schedule an interview unless you apply. And by the time 2 years is up you may have decided a different route anyway.