One other bit of advice for going the regional route: make sure that you are able to live in domicile in the first year! I decided to join a regional that has NO west coast presence, and I live in San Diego. Commuting for poverty pay is bogus! Also, recent pay increases at most regional carriers is around $37/HR. Don't go anywhere that isn't keeping up with that. Republic is at $40, if you can live in domicile with them, you might be able to afford uniforms AND food. We are lucky to have that military pension, but still not enough to put us into the tax bracket we've gotten used to.

Regional life isn't as bad as it may seem, especially for retired military, there's a light at the end of the tunnel for us. 121 flying is a different world, and regional experience has really shaped my expectations and desires for my "forever job." Also, you meet and fly with some solid dudes, who, in my experience, have put my sense of entitlement in check. We are tourists at the regional, these guys have been slugging it out for 10-20 years, and are incredibly competent. They aren't going to get a call to a major before you!

Anyhow, I'm rambling. Nothing better to do while on reserve far from home. Keep me updated on your progress, I love to see poor rotor trash make good on the world.

 

Define "top down" selections...

 

Higher ups in the company having input on who is selected for hiring. During our Delta interview, it was stressed to us that it didn't matter who recommended us, the scores that had earned us the invite to interview were based on our application, not our recommendations. We found out later that one of the guys had a recommendation from the CEO, and another had one from a senior VP. The only discriminator that seemed to make a difference was doing interview prep. The ones who skipped that failed their interviews and didn't get hired.

 

I second that. I left active duty in 2004 and spent a year commuting from San Diego to DFW to be on reserve at American Eagle at like $18,000/year. Paying out of pocket for hotels & crash pads. Brutal. Of course I didn't have a military pension to fall back on, so after a year I had to bail out on the whole deal. Now looking to get back in the game again, but I am staying way clear of the regional route, even at $40 per hour. Still an insult to any pilot. But if you don't have any other way to build hours, well.....you gotta do what you gotta do.

 

SWA CJO

F-15A-D
3500 TT
3200 TPIC
1500 IP/SEFE
Masters - 4.0
10 internal recs

26 Oct interview
9 Dec CJO
20 Jan Class Date

6 weeks+ Interview to CJO. Good Luck!!

 

Got a fix it email 18 Dec from different airline. Made changes and replies by 24 Dec. Interview offer came today.

 

Congrats to all the new hires!!!

Can someone please give me a clue what I am doing wrong? Here are my stats:

2800+ TT
2400+ MEL
1650+ PIC (all heavy military)
750+ IP/EP
Masters w/3.9
BS w/ 3.7
Currently flying 121 for a regional making peanuts. Apps have been in to the Majors and Legacy guys for two years. Finally retired from the AF this summer and have been flying 121 for about 4 months. Several internal recs at DAL, UAL, AA and SWA. One friend sent an email to HR at DAL over 8 months ago. I have heard nothing but crickets. No "fix it" email. No "TBNT" emails. Nothing at all.

I will say I have not been to any hiring events yet. I planned to go to the last WIA but I ended up being in indoc at my regional during the conference. I will hit every single one I can from here on. But, being on reserve with no seniority will make that hit or miss.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

BTW...I totally agree with this statement. I have flown with some great people and have learned a lot flying at the regional. I don't mean to sound entitled.

 

For what it's worth I don't think you're doing anything wrong. It's a total crapshoot. When I left active duty I had very similar hours. I ended up flying for a regional for almost a year without a single interview. Almost two years after I quit, I finally got an interview at SWA (but wasn't hired). Of course this was 10 years ago, different time altogether. Not sure the airlines care about your GPA or even what you majored in. Some people get hired with no college or an associates.

My advice is keep networking and go to a WAI or OBAP event. It can't hurt. I agree that it's a frustrating process as you see others with fewer hours seemingly getting multiple job offers. Then again, you have only been at your regional job for half a year - it will happen eventually.

 

Hahaha, you're not making peanuts with that retirement being deposited into your account every month.

You have great stats, obviously. Is there anything you're hiding? A couple busts, law infraction, DUI, anything?

If not, attend a job fair (which sucks), and you've checked another box. Continue to push your contacts for info and look for Chief Pilot meet and greets if any are going on.