Rusty military pilot considering applying
 

Hello, sorry if these questions are dumb or if there's a better place to ask them but here goes. I've been reading about the hiring surge going on across the globe for pilots and figured I have some skills that it might be a good idea to put to use. I'm a retired AF officer, F-111 pilot, KC-10 Instructor, about 2,000 hours. I have my commercial license, although limited to centerline thrust (from UPT) and radio operator license. I don't have a current medical, but getting one should be no issue that I can think of.

I haven't flown in about 10 years so I know I would need to invest a bit in getting current and upgrading my license. I'm 48 years old.

Any suggestions for next steps? I'll be searching out all the info I can but I am hoping I can get a good vector here first. Thanks in advance.

It's axiomatic that it's easier to get a job when you have a job (in flying), but everyone has to start somewhere. Get current and proficient enough to answer any questions about the job, IFR, aviation, procedure, etc, and to complete a sim check. You'll improve your chances if you have a job flying, so before jumping on an airline, getting into 135 or some part 91 flying won't hurt. It's not required, either, but most companies will ask right off the bat what you're flying now.

Get current and proficient, and apply.

Sounds like good advice, thanks!

You sound like a perfect candidate for a regional airline. Based on other threads here, they're hiring pilots who don't even have the required hours yet (as long as they do by the time they start).
Get some air under your ass and knock off the rust. Maybe get the CL thrust restriction removed just to get some multi time in the process. Get back in the books and contact a company like Emerald Coast consulting for interview prep. My guess is you could be in a new hire class in less than 6 months. Next year at this time (maybe sooner), you'll be current, have 121 experience and be competitive for a major airline.

I agree with both of the above responses. I would get current, proficient and ready for the ATP check ride then apply at a regional airline. A LOT has changed in the past 10 years: RNAV (RNP) approaches, climb via, descend via, a move towards ICAO phraseology (line up and wait) just to name a few. Also scheduled part 121 flying is very different from the type of flying you did previously. I prefer to fly weekends so I fly with lots of new hire pilots and the ones who struggle the most are those with a combination of low flight time over a long career and dissimilar flight time. Having said that within about 6 months they're up to speed and all is fine.

You're a retired military officer so obviously you're smart and motivated. Put those traits to use. I honestly believe it would not take long for you to get hired at a major airline. The regional airlines are hiring like crazy. Get hired by one, get comfortable flying a jet in 121 ops then start networking.

Best of luck. If you ever have any specific questions about SWA send me a PM.

You are perfectly set up to get back into the 121 airline career. There are plenty of out-of-currency/recency military pilots who have been doing the same thing you are over the last year or two, given the current state of the industry.

As has been said, the regional airlines are hurting for newhire talent, and they'd love to have someone with your experience *immediately*. Even better, with a year or two of flying at a regional, you're going to look very competitive for that "career job" (for the last 17 years you have...) at a major. Most guys in your non-current with similar military flying experience shoes have moved on from the regionals in less than two years.

IMHO, you should go to your local flight school and get a couple flights to knock off the rust then get a formal Flight Review and an Instrument Proficiency Check. At the same time, start working on getting the paperwork and requirements for the airline applications together (that is a bit of work in and of itself). I predict that you'll be getting calls from regionals to interview within a day or two of submitting.

FWIW, there is at least one (and probably more) regional airline (ExpressJet) that changed its initial training syllabus so that they could hire military pilots with the centerline-thrust restriction on their Commercial. I would weigh what additional pre-ATP training is offered when deciding which airline to accept a job offer, as the CTP course (the pre-ATP written) is an expensive bill to foot on your own.

I was in a similar spot with the exception that I got my ATP 'under the wire' and had some recent GA. Shop around for the regional you want, and pick them. It's like the stock market, hiring boom today but gas prices skyrocket and that could change, so puck something you can live with. Look at the fine print on the bonuses, some want payback of the first installment if you don't stay a year.

Your big competition right now is young guys from ND State end Embry Riddle who are smart and motivated but haven't flown anything bigger than a Seminole. Your experience and history of having completed a military training program is valued. So interview with one or two and pick your favorite.

It might also be worth a trip to your local FSDO if you're not too far away. It'd be worth the discussion, even though you're outside the 12 months, on how best to get the CL thrust removed based on past demonstrated experience. They're generally decent guys when not on the ramp asking for your papers and at RIC are largely former mil pilots.

I'm currently in sims at a regional, so PM me if you want the scoop on where I'm at.

Don't waste any money getting current on anything if you're looking at a regional. With your background, you'll be called back and hired in a day. I was in a similar boat. They know military guys have been out of the cockpit for a while. You've displayed the ability to be successful in a demanding aviation position once, and they know you can do it again.

If you don't have it already, I'd recommend getting "Everything Explained for the Professional Pilot" by Richie Lengel. It's a great cliff notes version of the FAR/AIM and will help refresh your memory on flying regulations, etc.

I wouldn't necessarily follow this advice. If you show up to new hire having not turned a wheel in 10 years and wind up having trouble, it'll reflect poorly in your training records which majors will be able to see. You're not in the same situation as say a guy coming off a staff tour that's only been out 2-3 years that is still semi current. A lot has changed in the last ten years. Agree with everyone else though, you're a prime candidate to spend 2-3 years at a regional and then go to a major assuming you can survive the pay for that regional duration.