135tankerdriver

Little nervous about leaving AD non-current without a CJO. And just wondering has anyone known any military types who’ve been hired recently while non-current.

By the time I can get out it will be shy of two years out of a cockpit.

I have 3000+ military flight hours, 1,000 turbine IP hours and 1,000 turbine PIC. Safety experience and trained and a decent amount of volunteer work.

Thanks

Hacker15e

It happens, but it is the exception rather than the rule. Pretty rare, even in this hiring environment.

Be prepared to go do a short stint at the regionals to get recurrent, polish up your resume with a successful run through a 121 training program and a new type rating, and learn how 121 flying works.

Yes, the pay sucks, but flying at the regionals isn't beneath you. Most importantly it will give you extremely valuable experience that will help at subsequent interviews and take some of the pressure off how much you'll have to learn in your *second* 121 training program (the one at your career-destination airline).

SaltyDog

Agree with Hacker15e
I went regionals many years ago during heavy furlough period, it kept me fresh when the hiring picked up again with the final destination carriers. The folks that went non current had to do the tour at the regional anyway, if plan that way, probably will be the ace that gets picked up by the major straight away
Best journeys

135tankerdriver

Thanks for the input guys. Just heard that a major airline or two was hiring non-current military guys depending on their resume of course. If the rumors were true I would double down my efforts to try and get hired... go to job fairs, etc. but if it’s not the case I’d focus my energy elsewhere or perhaps stay AD until I hit 20. If anyone has gotten hired out of a cockpit shy of 24 months, which meets SWA minimums I’d love to hear from you.

Hacker15e

Although I'm a proponent of dudes sticking it out to 20 to grab retirement, I'll go on record to say that if you're ready to leave the AF, a short stint at the regionals to get recurrent is going to be a lot less asspain than several more years with Big Blue.

For some reason folks find flying at the regionals so unpalatable that they'll do all kinds of backflips to avoid it, and IMHO their efforts are wasted.

I retired with 3000+ hours in fighters, trainers, and ISR and non-current. I spent just over a year at the regionals before I got hired at my career airline, and thought that it was a great professional experience. It was a great no-stigs environment to ask stupid questions and make stupid mistakes that didn't also carry the risk of being where I wanted to spend my career if I did accidentally pee in the pool.

rickair7777

I have heard that O6's and maybe senior O5's are now getting waived on recency requirements by some majors... since it's real hard for them to stay recent. I know two who got hired out of my command (career Navy AD at 25-30 years) who had no problem getting scooped up and who were long out of any cockpit. Not sure if the did any GA but were definitely not flying in the mil.

FlewNavy

Strength of resume is the key. The other common element about the relatively minimum/no currency hew hires seems to be O5/O6 RETIRED. I personally have not seen any evidence of someone that was separated getting a call without recent flying experience. Airlines may be getting tired of Mil Leave and USERRA - I haven't seen a retiree drop mil leave yet.

Strong resume usually means competitive hours and extensive leadership experience. Multiple T/M/S experience, leadership of large organizations, leading a community in a aircraft transition, weapons school IP, Graduated Squadron/Wing CO etc. Add to that multiple touch points with the airlines via job fairs, chief pilot meetings etc. Unless you have those boxes checked you are likely going to be considered relatively average in the pack.

Merle Dixon

How many years active-duty service do you have? If you have less than 15, I recommend bailing for the airlines (if a major wont hire you, hell yes go to a regional). If you have five or more years until your 20, and you stay until 20, you are giving up thousands of seniority numbers at DAL, UAL or AA. Even FedEx has massive hiring plans. SWA, not sure, anyone else have info of SWAs projected hiring the next 5 years?

Any Reserve or Guard interest? I have friends that left active duty at 16 and 17 years, got an airline job, got off probation and then via full-time orders, or an AGR position, and military leave, got their 20 year active pension.

PRS Guitars

Just listen to Hacker, he knows what he’s talking about. Get over your concerns and jump ship. It will likely be short lived, and you’ll get 3 calls from majors instead of zero.

Blackhawk

^^^^^ This. Regional pay and work rules are not what they were a few years ago. Find one with a base close by and good training. When I came off military leave and went through recurrent training there were about 6 military FW new hire pilots. Six months later the only one not picked up by a major was at the C-17 course.