Go Back  Airline Pilot Central Forums > Career Builder > Military
MIL to 121, Request Advice >

MIL to 121, Request Advice

Search
Notices
Military Military Aviation

MIL to 121, Request Advice

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 11-27-2019, 06:14 PM
  #11  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Adlerdriver's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Jul 2007
Position: 767 Captain
Posts: 3,988
Default

Originally Posted by MainlineUpgrade View Post
In order to not miss out on the legacy spot that is waiting for me in the next 24 months,
This is not an attitude that is going help you attain your goal. While the hiring environment is one of the best in decades, there is no upside for you to go into your quest with this viewpoint. I think it's easy for mil guys to get to the point where a legacy job appears to be a done deal. They've got the quals, their buds are being scooped up left and right, airlines are making $$ hand over fist, etc. Be careful. Having an attitude that the job is "waiting for you" is not going to be easy to hide as you interact with all the people who you will meet on your journey toward a 121 career. Shake that attitude off now and realize you have a lot of prep work to do in order to make that goal a reality.

Quals and meticulous application work get you in the door. Confidence in the interview seat will come with self-study on all topics ATP/121 and (while not required but highly recommended), a good interview/test prep course. Landing the job is all about you and how effectively you present yourself and express your desire to work for that specific company. I guarantee you that if you show up assuming the job is yours and the interview is a formality, it's going to be a humbling experience. You're being evaluated during every part of the process and regardless of which airline it is, it's very likely you're only going to get one shot. Plenty of very qualified, very good pilots have stumbled for a variety of reasons and been shown the door. Don't think for a second that it can't happen to you. So don't be that guy - a humble, "grateful for the chance" attitude is a great place to start. Good luck to you.
Adlerdriver is offline  
Old 11-27-2019, 09:55 PM
  #12  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Gundriver64's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Jul 2017
Posts: 249
Default

Originally Posted by Adlerdriver View Post
This is not an attitude that is going help you attain your goal. While the hiring environment is one of the best in decades, there is no upside for you to go into your quest with this viewpoint. I think it's easy for mil guys to get to the point where a legacy job appears to be a done deal. They've got the quals, their buds are being scooped up left and right, airlines are making $$ hand over fist, etc. Be careful. Having an attitude that the job is "waiting for you" is not going to be easy to hide as you interact with all the people who you will meet on your journey toward a 121 career. Shake that attitude off now and realize you have a lot of prep work to do in order to make that goal a reality.

Quals and meticulous application work get you in the door. Confidence in the interview seat will come with self-study on all topics ATP/121 and (while not required but highly recommended), a good interview/test prep course. Landing the job is all about you and how effectively you present yourself and express your desire to work for that specific company. I guarantee you that if you show up assuming the job is yours and the interview is a formality, it's going to be a humbling experience. You're being evaluated during every part of the process and regardless of which airline it is, it's very likely you're only going to get one shot. Plenty of very qualified, very good pilots have stumbled for a variety of reasons and been shown the door. Don't think for a second that it can't happen to you. So don't be that guy - a humble, "grateful for the chance" attitude is a great place to start. Good luck to you.
This^^^^^^^

Go to a regional and get your feet wet in the 121 world. Solves, your ATP dilemma while giving your resume a lot more horsepower with any major prospects.

Cheers,
G
Gundriver64 is offline  
Old 11-27-2019, 09:57 PM
  #13  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Gundriver64's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Jul 2017
Posts: 249
Default

Originally Posted by Peabody17 View Post
Not all of them. The Army’s new Initial Entry Fixed Wing Course (https://www.cae.com/news-events/pres...flight-traini/) is up and running.
With the current austere situation that Army fixed-wing is in (excluding ISR) it just doesn’t make sense for the Fixed-wing for Life program to persist. But, then again we’re talking the Army here. They’ll do the opposite of common sense.
Gundriver64 is offline  
Old 11-27-2019, 10:31 PM
  #14  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Joined APC: Jul 2013
Posts: 4,670
Default

Originally Posted by Adlerdriver View Post
This is not an attitude that is going help you attain your goal. While the hiring environment is one of the best in decades, there is no upside for you to go into your quest with this viewpoint. I think it's easy for mil guys to get to the point where a legacy job appears to be a done deal. They've got the quals, their buds are being scooped up left and right, airlines are making $$ hand over fist, etc. Be careful. Having an attitude that the job is "waiting for you" is not going to be easy to hide as you interact with all the people who you will meet on your journey toward a 121 career. Shake that attitude off now and realize you have a lot of prep work to do in order to make that goal a reality.

Quals and meticulous application work get you in the door. Confidence in the interview seat will come with self-study on all topics ATP/121 and (while not required but highly recommended), a good interview/test prep course. Landing the job is all about you and how effectively you present yourself and express your desire to work for that specific company. I guarantee you that if you show up assuming the job is yours and the interview is a formality, it's going to be a humbling experience. You're being evaluated during every part of the process and regardless of which airline it is, it's very likely you're only going to get one shot. Plenty of very qualified, very good pilots have stumbled for a variety of reasons and been shown the door. Don't think for a second that it can't happen to you. So don't be that guy - a humble, "grateful for the chance" attitude is a great place to start. Good luck to you.
Pretty much a longer/more drawn out but very direct way to say what I was saying in post #3.
John Carr is offline  
Old 11-28-2019, 02:08 AM
  #15  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Adlerdriver's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Jul 2007
Position: 767 Captain
Posts: 3,988
Default

Originally Posted by John Carr View Post
Pretty much a longer/more drawn out but very direct way to say what I was saying in post #3.
It's a gift, what can i say. No one has every accused me of being stingy with words.
Adlerdriver is offline  
Old 11-28-2019, 06:51 AM
  #16  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Joined APC: Sep 2007
Posts: 331
Default

Originally Posted by Adlerdriver View Post
It's a gift, what can i say. No one has every accused me of being stingy with words.
Loquaciousness is a gift with which some are blessed.
ipdanno is offline  
Old 11-28-2019, 08:19 AM
  #17  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Joined APC: Apr 2016
Posts: 376
Default

Originally Posted by MainlineUpgrade View Post
Hello all,

I’m currently a mil instructor flying C-12 variant King Airs. I’ve been flying since 2007, started part 141, decided to finish college, airline crisis hit, took the scenic route etc... Seeing the market come full circle since 2007 in terms of hiring is surreal. In order to not miss out on the legacy spot that is waiting for me in the next 24 months, I’ve been trying to take the necessary steps now to prepare for when I submit my apps. My goal is basically to step from my flight suit to a legacy, bypassing regionals. I’m trying to prepare incase that doesn’t immediately happen, which will certainly be better than 2007 regional pay in any event. I hear Mesa has come a long way... I’m anticipating being somewhere on the better side of 3k TT, with at least half that turbine PIC, by the time I’m looking to interview. About 500 hours civilian time also, GA trainers. Hoping for a 30 year 121 career...

My unique question specifically in regards to becoming a better candidate is this; should I pay for ATP-CTP out of pocket now, likely using my GI Bill? If so, is there a benefit at doing it with one company versus another? Delta versus CAE, for example?

I’m digging through the forum taking notes on what else I can/should do. So I would like to hear any specific advice or general feedback as well.

A 121 legacy has been my ultimate goal since I was 20. Being 2 years out from applying, what can I do now to make it happen?

Thank you greatly for your responses.
There is a book called Cockpit2Cockpit. A bit dated now but still good...answers most of your questions. If you are 2 years out and don’t already have a plan you are a bit behind in my opinion. Build plan A for a major and then build plan B for the regionals. If no major invites at 6 months....execute plan B. Start now by saving as much money as possible. If you want to be competitive for a major...plan on getting your ATP on your own to include the ATP CTP.
FlewNavy is offline  
Old 11-29-2019, 08:05 AM
  #18  
New Hire
Thread Starter
 
Joined APC: Nov 2019
Posts: 3
Default

Originally Posted by FlewNavy View Post
There is a book called Cockpit2Cockpit. A bit dated now but still good...answers most of your questions. If you are 2 years out and don’t already have a plan you are a bit behind in my opinion. Build plan A for a major and then build plan B for the regionals. If no major invites at 6 months....execute plan B. Start now by saving as much money as possible. If you want to be competitive for a major...plan on getting your ATP on your own to include the ATP CTP.
Would you mind elaborating on what this plan should include?

Yes, I’ve heard of the book, will be reading it soon.

My approach now includes interview prep/records and resume polishing, knocking out the ATP, and publishing my apps at about eight months pre-seperation. Then job fairs/conventions. I understand the possibility of starting at a regional. Other than ordering copies of my driving record and college transcripts, what else am I missing? Also, I’ll have letters of recommendation from current CAs at SWA, AA, and DAL. With at least three from AA.

In response to being cheap; I’ve spent nearly 60k on getting all my ratings. I’ll likely pay for the ATP too.

And the entitled bit; I hope not. I’ve worked pretty dang hard, like most others. While likely a long shot, I think it’s a possibility to get picked up right out of the gate given my stats and some improvement. Like anyone else, that’s my hope. We’ll see how it plays, either way I am very grateful to even be seriously posting about this here.

Sincere thanks for the feedback.
MainlineUpgrade is offline  
Old 11-30-2019, 06:59 AM
  #19  
Banned
 
Joined APC: Jan 2019
Posts: 271
Default

Originally Posted by MainlineUpgrade View Post
Would you mind elaborating on what this plan should include?

Yes, I’ve heard of the book, will be reading it soon.

My approach now includes interview prep/records and resume polishing, knocking out the ATP, and publishing my apps at about eight months pre-seperation. Then job fairs/conventions. I understand the possibility of starting at a regional. Other than ordering copies of my driving record and college transcripts, what else am I missing? Also, I’ll have letters of recommendation from current CAs at SWA, AA, and DAL. With at least three from AA.

In response to being cheap; I’ve spent nearly 60k on getting all my ratings. I’ll likely pay for the ATP too.

And the entitled bit; I hope not. I’ve worked pretty dang hard, like most others. While likely a long shot, I think it’s a possibility to get picked up right out of the gate given my stats and some improvement. Like anyone else, that’s my hope. We’ll see how it plays, either way I am very grateful to even be seriously posting about this here.

Sincere thanks for the feedback.
You should get your atp asap, those job fairs only occur once a year, you need your atp today and need your apps all polished up and you need to be hitting the job fairs NOW. Or just go to a regional and lose a few years of seniority, your choice. Are you a commissioned officer because you are acting like one. You still might get hired in a couple of years with minimal effort because by then The hiring wave will be out of control everywhere. Good luck and I dont mean to be a jerk but I hate to see army guys quibble, hit me up if you need any help.
AAfng is offline  
Old 11-30-2019, 07:27 AM
  #20  
Banned
 
Joined APC: Jun 2019
Posts: 442
Default

Originally Posted by AAfng View Post
You should get your atp asap, those job fairs only occur once a year, you need your atp today and need your apps all polished up and you need to be hitting the job fairs NOW. Or just go to a regional and lose a few years of seniority, your choice. Are you a commissioned officer because you are acting like one. You still might get hired in a couple of years with minimal effort because by then The hiring wave will be out of control everywhere. Good luck and I dont mean to be a jerk but I hate to see army guys quibble, hit me up if you need any help.
Say what??
jamesholzhauer is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Shenzi105
Fractional
72
11-21-2019 03:20 PM
Bones421
Regional
28
08-07-2016 11:31 AM
CharlesSpringer
Career Questions
8
12-17-2015 11:09 AM
Taildragger79
Career Questions
12
10-29-2015 08:45 PM
jnav
Flight Schools and Training
9
02-26-2006 09:52 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On



Your Privacy Choices