rickair7777

I did caveat this, nature of the industry (and AD to civ transition in general).

But this particular decade still has a lot of retirements to dampen routine economic cycles.

Still, plan B and C are suggested, almost goes without saying.

thrust

I assumed the OP was smart enough not to throw away their time toward a reserve retirement. Plenty of IMA jobs to min-run out there if people are willing to put forth a little effort.

SmolProps

I'm kindof in the same thoughtspace as the OP, namely being worried about getting the call before I jump into the world of unempoyment.

Seperating 1 Jan 2025. I'll have about 2000 turbine multiengine hours, 500 PIC, hopefully 200 instructor. Currently have the following tentative plans. Got apps going out to all the majors and then regionals as I get closer to sep date.

Plan A: Get lucky and get a CJO to a legacy. Happy days. Will apply to a Guard unit after getting vested to plug away at an extra retirement.

Plan B: Nobody calls and I guard bum until someone does while I open up my scope from legacys to majors to regionals.

Plan C: Touch and go at a regional to pump up my hours and hope for a call from my preferred carrier. Part time Guard to keep paychecks flowing while I look.

Plan D: MDS sim instructor? Local flight school as an instructor? Skillbridge to Baker aviation or similar to build hours while still making O4 pay?

I have a pretty solid vision of A B and C. D is pretty out there.

Am I missing any other good options?

tnkrdrvr

Overall, sounds like a decent plan. One question: what’s happened to flying? It seems like guys are hitting the end of their commitment with the same hours I had at the end of my first tour not so long ago. Have flying hours truly fallen off a cliff? Does nobody fly their butt off while deployed?

SmolProps

My hours are pretty low because I've only deployed 3 times in my career due to COVID tanking ops tempo and children health problems. We don't fly much home station, barely enough to stay current.

Squadron's in better shape these days, and I'm volunteering to fly any and all lines, but it's slim pickings.

IFR Cx Rcvd

We had someone skillbridge to a local flight school and racked up a crazy amount of hours in 6 months. Went right to a major after. It isn’t the most bizarre path.

A is the dream, but I’ve heard you do not want a break in service whatsoever. Maybe try to find a guard/reserve unit that’s flexible with your indoc/sims/OE schedule versus joining a unit after you’re established at an airline.

I’d go with C over B. I think we will see regional touch and goes coming back, maybe not for good, but at least until airplane deliveries normalize. It would diversify your resume with 121 experience and show that you can hack a 121 training program.

SmolProps

I think C is going to be the go-to fallback. I'm actively applying to my local guard unit and I figure I might as well take advantage of the huge bump in regional salaries while it lasts.

Or Atlas. Maybe? 🤔

sailingfun

Not trying to be harsh but for the benefit of others getting out you need to have started the follow on job process a long time ago. For a April separation they should have been sent last fall. In addition both Delta and United offer interviews and a hiring commitment a year in advance for military pilots. Apps should have been in long ago for both those programs.
You also should have a reserve or guard slot lined up or at least be heavily networking for a position.

chase

If your unit will let you leave early, go SKILLBRIDGE and get civilian flying experience before your official separation date. Search under the military section on APF and look for Baker Aviation. We've hired 20+ SB pilots of all makes and models, they've gotten good hours and have sent SB pilots to every major pax 121 operators. Send me a PM if you have questions or email at [email protected]. Just interviewed a Jan '25 candidate today and have another one tomorrow. Could be you. Send resume and interest to [email protected]

Good luck

Russell Case

I generally disagree with some of the above recommendations, but also agree with the ramifications. Your decision is kinda situationally dependent in that if you have a spouse that works or come from money, then your thought process is different from mine. I’ve always been told it’s easier to find a job when you have a job and have nightmares of being “in-between” jobs without a retirement and a family to take care of. The fact that you dropped your papers without actually having a CJO yet and a rudimentary “hope” plan is not me but to each their own. I know a guy who has a retirement staring him in his face quite soon and extended it like 30 days to stay employed until he starts at a Major with the class date he’s expecting. That’s more along the lines of what I also would do, but to each his own.