flensr

My advice - Keep a good electronic logbook, not just the mil records. That will make updating your apps easier and you'll have some automation in the logbook app to help coming up with summaries like TPIC, turbine time, multi time, inst/night time (some ask for that), etc etc. Re-doing your conversions every time you update your resume is a total pain in the butt. I tried it and gave up. You're still new enough that transcribing your current flight records and then keeping up the logbook should be simple and straightforward, and it'll save you time down the road and give you peace of mind that you're not making errors when updating apps and trying to present consistent numbers during interviews.

"losing" a dozen or so flights or hours here and there won't ruin anything but have some explanations in your hip pocket in case there is any question why some numbers don't add up. For example, SWA wants PIC plus SIC to equal total time, so you're gonna have to put student solo in there somewhere or you'll have a couple dozen hours to explain away. Other companies might want that separated out, so you can't always use the same numbers on all resumes and applications. Just figure out what each company wants, jot that down on your summary sheet what assumptions you used to create each application's numbers, and then use the electronic logbook to update it from then on.

crewdawg

Vice, you're in the exact same shoes I was in circa 2011. My advice, as with others on here, is to go to a regional that allows you to drive to work. If you have multiple options, then go read on the regional forum and find one that has a better work environment...hopefully you won't be there long anyway. This makes life infinitely mo betta as it allows you to easily work both gigs to their fullest. I was able to find a gig that was an hour drive to my airline and I lived about 15 minutes from the Guard base and it truly made life much easier. I've been extremely lucky and my Legacy job gives me the same "commute." I can't begin to explain the QOL this provides while trying to balance both gigs.

I was never an IP (gave up my IPUG slot to go to a legacy) and I'm convinced I only got a call is because I had 121 time on top of my Viper time. You'll be doing your career a huge favor by heading to a regional. Of course, I will always recommend pushing for IPUG for reasons other than your civilian career, but it obviously won't hurt in that regard.

Feel free to PM if you have any questions. Best of luck!

DaleHog

To the OP (and anyone else with SA!). Just curious what you ended up doing and how it's worked out?

I'm in a similar situation...A-10 guard guy with the following:

TT: ~1600
PIC: ~1400
A-10: ~1300 (All ME turbine)
A-10 IP
Got my ATP

I've had apps in at the Major's for about 6 mo. Currently a full-time tech, but considering heading off to the regionals to get the 121 time and the experience. However, with a family and 2-kids we're struggling with the big pay cut (they just upped the GS pilot pay and got the tech bonus). We're frugal, so we'd do it in a heartbeat if I was convinced it would get me to the majors faster.

Thoughts?

Phoenix21

If you’ve got x00 hours in the last 12 months that they’re looking for currency, start networking harder. Get to those job fairs and have your buds submit internal recs. Have your app/resume reviewed by the consultants first.

If you’ve got to go to a starter 121 gig go to a LCC over a regional if you can since pay is better. Consider ACMI for the pay and positive space to work. If you’re left going to a regional go to on you can drive to.

rickair7777

You should get there eventually, but times are a hair low for the top tier, even for a fighter guy.

Regional might well put you over the top faster, more TT and more boxes to check. May depend on how much you're flying in the guard.

Advantage to regionals is fast upgrade, if you don't get out in a couple years the consolation prize is 121 PIC, which will put you over the top. That will take a bit longer at LCC and most ACMI. Majors don't seem to value LCC/ACMI time over regional time. I know plenty of reservists who did a quick lap at the regionals, typically takes about 18 months.

As was said, full court press on applications, networking, and job fairs. It's a full-time job in and of itself.

kme9418

Depends on a lot of things like the cost of living in your state. I live in TX which is inexpensive compared to many parts of the country and I'm thankful for that. I was AGR O-5 with a pilot bonus. I took a 40% paycut to retire from the USAFR (no AD retirement) and go back to my ACMI. Then another 10-15% paycut to start over at a Legacy. My wife stays home with the 2 kids. We make it all work on first year Legacy pay (around $80-90K) and we're almost to year 2 pay which will be a 50% raise. I'll be back to my AGR pay by year 3 and pulling way ahead after that. Do some planning, pad your emergency fund then bite the bullet. The breakeven point is only about 3 years out. If you want more details, feel free to PM me.

Sliceback

Dalehog - go do 121. A one year delay is the best year of your career, $300-450K, depending upon your age. That’s what the delay costs.

Bust both nuts cranking out the hours. Guy I helped had slightly more A-10 time (1600-1800????) and 800 hrs 121 when he got hired.

DaleHog

Thanks for the feedback gents. A lot of good considerations in here. It’s tough to know what’s competitive in this hiring climate and I think I’ve been a little ignorant thinking my fighter time at the mins is enough. Have definitely been updating my apps at least once a week and went through a professional review service. No skeletons, training failure or giant red flags (that I see anyway) on my resume. I’ll keep flying my balls off, get my network on and keep pressing forward. Thanks!

DaleHog

Just out of curiosity, do you know his quals? IP? SEFE? Any other boxes checked like safety school, flight commander, etc.?

ipdanno

Hey Rickair, he’s not a fighter guy, he’s an attack guy. There’s a big difference. Attack guys are more lethal, to more people, more of the time.

Interestingly, Attack guys (and gals) are much more socially developed than Fighter guys, and Fighter gals. That is because Fighter Folk are so woefully underdeveloped. And that comes from speaking only to each other.

Airland, Airdrop, Airsick.
Flying at the Speed of Smell—Tactical Airlift