Advice for waiting on a Major Airline

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02-23-2012, 03:45 PM

#21

VSTOLG4

Gets Weekends Off

Joined APC: Feb 2011

Position: Right for a long time

Posts: 298

You are prime for a major...get a reserve gig and wait for your number to be called with SWA or FedEx...they are both picking up guys with your exact numbers at nearly 20 a month...trust me I know from personal experience with both ;-) . I just got out of the military with very similar numbers/quals. Your numbers are good, get a sponsor/mentor/insider and apply until your finger is numb from hitting the submit button a million times. I suggest you stay away from the regionals...you don't need that career booster with your numbers. Oh by the way with 5 months to go...you are waaaaay behind if you don't already have apps on file somewhere.

thanks for you service, good luck!

02-23-2012, 04:39 PM

#22

tsquare

No longer cares

Joined APC: Mar 2008

Position: 767er Captain

Posts: 12,109

Stay in the reserves. Tri care is muito importante

02-23-2012, 04:49 PM

#23

Sink r8

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Joined APC: Jun 2009

Posts: 5,113

I'd disagree with Buzz above on one point: I don't think I'd put corporate flying on my resumé. Corporate pilots, IMO, are the most diverse community, so the least predictable. If I was in charge of hiring, I would only fish in that pond as a last resort, or with stellar recommendations. You're in a great position. Listen to the others about the back-up plan, then try for the reputable cargo airlines, maybe the marginal cargo carriers (shouldn't be too long), then the regionals. The last two are interchangeable, based on where you live. You should at least be able to get into a regional that doesn't make you want to puke. Too much.

By the way, are JetBlue and Virgin America hiring?

02-23-2012, 04:49 PM

#24

nwaf16dude

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Joined APC: Jan 2008

Position: 737A

Posts: 1,890

Echo all the comments about staying in the reserve. I know it sucks, but you absolutely have to have a plan B, and you cannot throw away the retirement points that you have already earned. Even the best airline could end up putting you out on your backside if a major world event happens like Iran trying to shut down the straits. My story...got out at the 12 year point, joined the reserves, hired at NWA. Was just about to give up and quit the reserves when 9/11 happened. Furloughed twice from NWA, managed to pickup a full time reserve gig. Now I'm an active duty retired O-5 with tricare for life, and nice big check every month before I ever get a dime from Delta. If I had quit the reserves, I'd have been bankrupt.

02-23-2012, 05:46 PM

#25

Skubajet

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Joined APC: Oct 2011

Posts: 201

currency requirement

Gents,
I am in a similar position. Getting out of active duty in 7 months. Planning on going reserves as a back up plan / keeping current until the big "hiring wave" happens. Exactly how many hours per month would be considered "current" for an active duty military pilot? 20-30 per month? X amount of hrs in the last year? Flying is starting to slow down at my unit and the months of 50-90 hrs per month are going away.

Just curious. Thanks.

SJ

02-23-2012, 06:16 PM

#26

nwaf16dude

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Joined APC: Jan 2008

Position: 737A

Posts: 1,890

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skubajet

I wouldnt worry too much about a minimum number of flight hours per month as long as you are in an active flying billet. Non-current in airline lingo means not in a flying billet and you don't have a current form 8 I/Q check.

02-23-2012, 06:56 PM

#27

pony172

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Joined APC: Oct 2009

Position: long haul

Posts: 126

If you don't want to deploy join an RPA unit in the guard. We are getting at least 4 more in the guard; Des Moines, Battle Creek, Fort Smith, Willow grove. Not exactly flying but acash machine. Unfortunately a growth industry these days and it is not AMC. Join a regional to stay current, get some121 stink, and then mil leave as muchas you want. The regionals aren't glamorous, but i know it helped get me on at UPS. Good for you to have the guts to vote with your feet.

02-23-2012, 07:34 PM

#28

PilotFrog

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Joined APC: Sep 2007

Posts: 1,227

On another track, use the GIBill, and go get a Masters or Law Degree or something that you are interested in. Can do that while supplementing the Guard/RSV job.

02-23-2012, 08:07 PM

#29

reconpilot20

Line Holder

Joined APC: Feb 2010

Position: Junior Varsity

Posts: 50

My Chances?

I have read the postings here and would like some of you guys to shed some light on my particular situation. I am nervously excited about retiring after 20+ years in August 2013. I will begin terminal leave in May 2013. My qualifications will be as follows:
MS Degree ERAU
4000 TT
2000 multi-turbine helo (UH-60)
980 PIC Helo
2000 multi- turbine airplane (C-12)
1100 PIC Airplane
CFI /CFII
ATP

I will not have any jet time and all of my airplane times are estimates based on current monthly flying hours.
Also, should I put converted or straight military time on my apps or convert only if a particular airline allows for it. My logbooks are currently straight military time. Thanks in advance.

02-25-2012, 04:35 PM

#30

Paok

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Joined APC: Mar 2007

Position: Heavies

Posts: 1,414

Why don't you try Ang/afrc in something other than a c130. I bet u won't have to deal w the deployments. I don't know any afrc guard c17 guys who are being non vol-ed to deploy