Lurchi

I had similar questions when I started the app process. Delta recruiter told me that they look for 100 hours in the last 12 months and it does not matter what type aircraft it is in. United chief of hiring said they look for recent time in something more complex than a 172 and preferably multi-engine with a crew. However, I last flew single seat military nearly 2 years ago but flew 100 hours in a 172 in the past year. In the United App I listed how many hours I flew in the past 12 months and how many complex turbine hours I flew in the past 24 months. I have an interview with United. I didn't apply with regionals, and didn't hear back from any majors other than United.

DWC CAP10 USAF

Good luck with UAL Interview!

I just interviewed with them last week...should hear results this coming Wed or Thursday.

DoUEvenLoopBro

What are your opinions on 100-200 hrs. (50-100 in the last year) in a twin-engine GA aircraft ??? I have the ability to swing that between now and the time I need to submit any apps.

I'm thinking something along the lines of a Cessna 310 or 340. Really, anything with retractable gear and variable prop to give it some semblance complexity.

Thoughts??

rickair7777

Barely better than a 172, but a lot more expensive.

You'd better off getting a part-time 135 job, or buying a citation type and doing the on-call thing...anything professional under an operating certificate would be better than private pilot time. Especially if it burns kerosene...

FlewNavy

Getting Back into the Game

Read that post from Albie. If you can financially swing that much ME GA time then go for it as any flying is better than no flying but it probably won't count significantly toward an application over any other GA time. On the UAL addendum on airlineapps.com it specifically requests "commercial/military" time in the last 12 months. I take that to means flying for compensation.

Here are the rumors that I have heard for recency:
Alaska - 50 hrs last 12 months to even apply
SWA - 2 of 5 years actively flying (not sure how that is translated)
UAL - 100 hrs in last 12 months "more complex that 172"
Delta - 100 hrs in last 12 months (anything goes?)
FedEx - 200 hrs in a turbine aircraft last 12 months
Regional - 1500 total hours and a pulse.

These are all unofficial hiring mins but there are examples (except DAL) of pilots getting hired without meeting them.

FWIW - I bought a small GA aircraft that is "more complex than a 172" and the operating cost is double what I originally estimated. My fuel bills are on par but all the extras like tools, oil, landing fees, paper towels, cleaning supplies, spare spark plugs etc etc and then add unexpected maintenance (radio failed etc) and then having to plan for ADS-B out ($5000)...just boggles the mind.

WhenPigsFLy

UPS: Not a player if your not currently flying corporate, mil, res, guard, 121, 135. No staff guys hired that I've heard. Must be current