Ya doesn't make me feel great that they are not hiring, but it might actually work out in my favor since I can't get out until April '09. That puts my application at southwest around Oct - Nov of '08 all the way until April '09, I just hope I can catch a hiring window in there. I am actually worried that they will start hiring again before Oct when I will be more than 6 months out and can't have my application considered.

As for the cost of Higher Power, since I have the GI bill to use I will end up paying just over 4k, I figure that isn't that bad for quality training...we'll see.

Don't know when we'll start hiring again, but we still will. SWA just deferred a/c, they didn't cancel it.

You can also throw in your app upto a year before you separated. When the hiring window opens, you definitely want to already be competitive and not playing catchup.

Pilot recommendation letters
 

Anyone know where I can get a sample recommendations letter? I have been trying to search for one online, but have not been able to find one so far. Any ideas?

Letsfly--
My experience with SWA: I never had a sample letter. My Southwest buds just knew what to do. What I did do, however, was get a Southwest pilot and former SQ/CC copies of the OPRs he wrote on me. Another Southwest pilot gave me two checkrides in the viper--so I got him copies of the checkride forms he wrote on me. I think your best bet is to get in touch with guys that you have flown with at the airlines that you are targeting.

Any questions, PM me.

Bernie

Dude, I am almost identical to you. C-17, 3300 total etc... I start with CAL on April 22nd. It was liberating to drop my papers to say the least. Good luck with whatever you do, but remember to give the AF 6 months notice or you will be screwed. BTW, I was at TCM now WRI. Good times. I have sample letters I just used for my interview, I can email them to you if you would like. Let me know.

Dannolars,

Man that would be great if you could email a couple samples of recommendation letters to [email protected]. I really appreciate it!

I was at CHS now SUU, and like I said I am really getting excited about getting out. I realized it isn't an easy road at first, but I have to say its all I can think about. I really hope that I won't struggle to get a job, but I think at least I can get a reserve job somewhere. Did you get a reserve job?

Good luck at CAL, a buddy I know there loves it.

Thanks again in advance for the letters.

Apply to EACH and EVERY airline that you would like to fly for. You have good numbers but you might not get hired by everyone you apply with.

Also get a good physical before you leave the military to find out if any thing is possibly out of wack. Color blindness, heart murmors, etc, etc. Have all these things documented as your OK to fly for an airline and that yu can pass there physical. Good Luck.

Letsfly,

I just got out of the Air Force in September (C-9s and C-130s) and have recently gone through just what you've been talking about...getting a type/ATP, researching companies, sending out apps, etc.

I got hired by Air Transport International (ATI) in Dec and just finished my DC-8 PC. I'm really looking forward to the varied schedule...flying freight out of Toledo or flying int'l ad hoc trips or even AMC charters. Plus, I'm home based so they buy an airline ticket to get me to work. I can also sit reserve at home.

I didn't intend for this to sound like a recruiting message, but just wanted to make the point that you have many options available to you. Don't limit yourself to only a few companies.

I may have missed it, but did anyone post anything about Netjets. I've been there for almost 3 years and the pay, QOL, and stability is great. You currently need to apply 6-9 months out. It gives you another option to look at, at least. Good luck!

F16 Driver,

Wow, what are the negatives to Net Jets? I took a quick look at the website and it looks awesome. It said over 100 locations, how do you find out where they are based out of?