Exactly! AA will soon be today's DL and tomorrow's AA will be replaced with (insert airline of choice) shortly after.

 

I think it's often over-looked that a good number of guys aren't trying to get "hired by a major", they're trying to get hired by a select group of airlines that will allow them to live in their desired location and have minimal commute. I know that was the case with me. I only applied to 3x majors, because they were the only ones that I was interested in working for. Those companies aren't necessarily better or worse places to be than the ones I didn't apply to, just a much better fit for me and my family.

I was extremely fortunate to have a job that I didn't need to leave and that I enjoyed. I was in no rush and I could afford to wait for the companies I wanted. I was also very fortunate to get the thumbs-up from my 1st choice.

I know there are folks who are not in the situation I was in and need a j-o-b right now. I know there are also folks who's dream is to fly for a major, not any one in particular, just one of the big guys. There are also guys who legitimately have no idea how the industry works and just want to apply to the #1 company on the block and nobody else. I just think we need to take a second before we call someone a dummy because they didn't fire off 11x apps. Maybe that guy was waiting for DAL and FDX because they were right for him.

Either way, if he's waiting for those 2-3 companies, that's one less guy you'll have to compete against at the other places!

 

This is funny to read, now that I've been at this for almost a year. I started filling apps out last June, a year before I'd be available (mil retirement June '14). I figured I'd get hired in the late summer or fall and have a class date a few days after my retirement date so I could just step from one to the other. Then "reality" set in and I realized I might have to wait until Feb to get hired. It's May 25 and I still don't have a class date. But I've learned a lot and interviewed with a few majors and am expecting to get a call soon. You just have to understand it happens on their timeline not yours.

 

Good points.

I started out with the wait for the right fit mentality as well. I gave myself a timeline as to when I'd start broadening my job search. Seven months prior to separating I had definitely transitioned to the need a J O B category.

 

I'd write ya a letter of recommendation Boss. "I Like Johnnie Walker Blue"!

 

There's a lot of wisdom in the recent posts. Civ guys should take note that if ex-mil guys are having to wait a while before getting hired, the legacies aren't gonna be calling purely civilian guys in big numbers for a while.

Also, don't hold out for your #1. Like someone else mentioned, there's a lot of things that could happen like you don't even get an interview with your #1. Meanwhile, you'll be losing seniority everyday at your #2, #3, etc. For the guys at a regional, ask yourself this-would I rather retire at my current regional or at my #4?

 

Prior USAF here been out since mid 2010. No calls from any major or LCC carriers. It's rough out there even for prior mil folks too.

 

What have you done since separating?

 

Flying Lears and King Airs Part 91/135. Keeping current at least.

 

Probably just a matter of time. I know recent classes have had USAF guys. In fact there have been pilots from everywhere: Airforce, Marines, Navy, Guard, Coast Guard, Jet Blue, Frontier, Alaska, Southwest, United, and most of the commuters. About the only place guys aren't getting on from is Delta and of course the reason is it's considered a better place.