Best Airline Option for Non-current Mil
 

Non-current and looking to transition to one of the major airlines as soon as possible and just wondering what are some good options that could get me there the quickest without too much of suffering.

Rough numbers:
3,000 ME turbine time
2,000 PIC
1,000 Instructor
Safety Experience
Out of the cockpit 2 years

Thinking about moving to NM to be close to fam so I’m guessing Pheonix or Denver would be my best options to be based out of and assuming California and Texas would work as well. But open to suggestions.

So based on the above info what are my best flying options or do I take the first place who hires me with in reason.

Are ACMIs (ATI, etc) and ULCCs (Spirit, etc) hiring non-current mil guys?

Also, should I pay for my ATP-CTP if I have the option to have it paid for by who hires me? I’m assuming I’d have some sort of commitment if they are giving me an ATP but I know what assume does. Either way I want to stay away from commitments and contracts if I can, unless someone can talk me into it making sense. My thought is if the airline of my dreams calls I want to be able to pack up my bags and leave when I want to and the sooner I can get my ATP the sooner I can get apps out there for the majors.

Thanks!

Go with the regional that doesn't involve a commute from where you want to live. Commuting for a major turns a great job into a good job but commuting for a regional is like practicing bleeding.

SWA hires non current military folks. Having a 737 type rating will get you extra points on their application which may help you score an invite. You can get your ATP along with the 73 type provided you complete the ATP-CTP course and take the written beforehand.

ACMIs and the other LCC/ULCCs are looking for flight currency.

ISR companies and regionals will take you non flight current. The regionals will get you your ATP-CTP course and ATP as part of new hire training. The ISR companies only require a commercial so you’ll have to spring for ATP-CTP on your own (but can still combine ATP with a type ride if your contract requires a type rating).

Regional and ISR commitments are financial only. Nothing is preventing you from resigning if a major calls. After you leave, they may send you a bill which depending on your state laws, may be enforceable. If it’s a regional signing bonus, you may be able to decline taking the money if you’re staking your stink at the company will be short.

I didn’t think any regional still had a commitment/training contract, but I could be wrong. I think some signing bonuses may be tied to longevity requirements but not 100%.

Some ISR companies do 12 month training contracts. The regionals do “signing bonuses”. Sometimes full payback is required if leaving within 12 months and a prorated payback after that down to none by the 24 month mark.

Folks who hop regionals seem to pay off their signing bonus commitment from their old company with the signing bonus at their new company if they get a bill.

Trans States is huge at Denver and growing. They’ll hire non-current mil guys. A great intro to Part 121 while seeing high/hot, snow, ice, and actual IMC.

If mainline won't take you yet, I'd go to any regional that doesn't have a commute. Was in class with a former mil guy that was years out of the cockpit, got the call after he got 300ish hours 121.

This might be food for thought for the OP, but I'm also posting for additional help from the forum.

I am also prior Mil: flew F-16s. I stopped flying in 2002 (not a typo) with 994 hours (about 750 TPIC); all but my T-41 time was turbine. After other jobs, I decided to come back to flying New Years of 2018. Friend of a friend got me an interview with Envoy and I got the CJO, but they didn't call back with a start date. So I interviewed with ExpressJet, got the job and a start date, and I was flying by August. My goal from the start of this experience was to get my ATP unrestricted, which I did last week after surpassing 1500TT and stopping by the FSDO to prove it. I'm actually glad I came to Expressjet when I did: I've flown a lot compared to what other reserves get elsewhere, and it's taught me the 121 world.

What I'm wondering now is: am I on the right track to moving on?

I've got my app in with all the legacies, FedEx, UPS, Kalitta, and Omni. Other than the usual volunteering and joining the special interest aviation orgs, is there anything that will get me an interview? Internal recommendation maybe?

Networking is still huge. Some airlines try to minimize the role of internal recs to eliminate the "good ol boy" system. But once you actually get an interview, they cannot help but note multiple internal LOR's.

Bear in mind most mil guys have plenty of LORs on file, so that's almost an expectation. They like people people.

You’re on the right track. Look through the apps at empty boxes. Is there anything you can do to get some “good” boxes checked?
If you haven’t already, look at getting your app reviewed.