Protrident

Getting out of the Navy now and I wasn't really planning on continuing my flying, but, I just can't resist anymore.

So, since I'm not current since I haven't flown in just under 2 years, does that prevent me from getting hired from all the big boys? I'd prefer Cargo, but would love anything really. I have my ATP, multiengine, 707, and 737 ratings with about 1800 total time(pretty much all heavy time). Looking around this site, if it doesn't specifically say "500 hrs in the last 24 months" does that mean I'm good?

I'm just real excited. I wasn't looking forward to getting a "real" job, always looking to the sky, and time for me to get moving. First step, first class medical certificate.

Any other gouge for a late starter who collects their last paycheck in 4 days? haha.

USMCFLYR

Yes - many places have recency is their requirements. You'll just have to research the requirements for the particular operators that you are interested in working for. Keeping *current* is one of the hard things to do for many while furloughed/laid off and I've seen some on this forum go back to flight instructing. It is one of the hardships of the industry.

I'm sure many on there will be able to give you specific advise, but the hiring information of each operator ought to give you the details, then you can get plenty of opinions here at APC how to get that recency if you need it.

USMCFLYR

KC10 FATboy

Anything can happen. I know of pilots with zero PIC time who were hired by the likes of DAL, CAL, and FDX.

However, you aren't that marketable with a lapse in currency. It is very easy to get back. Go to your local community airport and take some lessons, rent an airplane, log time.

xjtguy

Can you expand on how somebody without 1000 TPIC was hired at FedEx?

Unless it was before 9/11, and a pretty healthy amount of years before 9/11, I'm pretty sure they haven't waived that requirement.

IIRC, there was a time when it was around 500 (early-mid 90's perhaps), but it was STILL a PIC requirement.

HercDriver130

You might try Atlas (after you get current) they just dropped their mins to 2000TT 500 Turbine.....

Protrident

Thanks all! I was on this website nonstop about 3-4 years ago lurking, but when it looked like I was done I drifted away from here. Now I have lost my SA and have no homework done! Current market? Who's hiring? etc. Time to cram? Seems like things are starting to pick up now, at least. Time to cram and figure out who's hiring!

Marvin

Retired AF guy here (although I was current when I retired). My advice:

1. Get all your ducks in a row if you haven't already. Make sure you have a fully-polished resume (both flying and non-flying versions). Start ordering the other stuff you'll need if you haven't already (copies of college transcripts, driving record, FAA records, etc). You won't be handing over your driving records, FAA records, etc, but if there is something inaccurate in there you need to know about it and get it corrected.

2. Apply as early as possible, although most Majors won't even consider you. When you go online to apply, most have a list of 5-10 questions that you must answer yes or no before you can get to the application. One of those is often "Do you have at least 100 hours in the past 12 months or 200 hours in the past 24 months?" If you answer "no" to any of the questions, you cannot even fill out an application.

3. Don't forget about corporate aviation. If you have lost touch with your old military buds, get back in touch pronto! Networking is EVERYTHING in the corporate world! You might be able to find a corporate gig where they will pay you peanuts to fly in their right seat -- just make sure the aircraft REQUIRES a right-seater so you can log the time. That would allow you to get the needed recency -- it is probably going to be way too expensive to buy the recency you need. Also, keep in mind that corporate operators HATE guys who use them to get their recency and then bolt for the airlines, so your best bet is probably to be honest with them about your goals and offer to give them a reasonable amount of time (18-24 months, maybe) before you decide what you want to do. You might love it, so keep your mind open.

Important question: How long before you retire/separate? If it is less than a year, then you are WAY behind schedule!

Finally, as you are filling out your first application, I recommend that you create a "master application file". It was very helpful for me -- basically, I put all the data I gathered for my first application into a single word document (addresses the last 10 years, info about references, etc, etc) and then continued to expand the document as I filled out more applications with more data requirements. This makes it WAY easier to fill out subsequent applications so you won't have to dig up the same info over and over.

Good luck!

pilotgolfer

Protrident,

Where do you plan on living? I work at Sky King and they have hired many people who have been out of the cockpit for several years. If you have time on the 737, it wouldn't bee too hard of a sell to get a job here. The majority of the flying is in Miami and we also have smaller bases in Atlantic City and Guam (Guam is 100% voluntary so don't let that scare you off).


These small operators are probably your most realistic places to seek employment right now. Check out the charter section or do a search for Sky King. There is a little bit of info out there.



Forgot to mention...they have an ad on climb to 350's website as we speak.

Protrident

Marvin, great gouge! Thanks. Funny, I completely agree with you, time to separate? 3 days!!! haha, yes... way way way behind! But, for some reason, such is the path God lead me down. Not fun, but we'll make it happen!

Pilotgolfer,

We are living in Oklahoma City right now and would really prefer to stay here, so I guess that means I'm commuting. Company looks great, funny, I have around 40 hrs in the 737-200. Never signed for that one since I was a student, but flew it a good chunk non the less. Much more hours signing and instructing in the 737-600 though (first of the next gen). I think you're right about the smaller places, but that's fine with me. I'm behind and need to catch up! If I knew I was going to fly I would have kept flying the whole time on the weekends to keep current with my buddies, started applying and networking a year out, and been on this website nonstop staying abreast with all the latest. Life is good though, you guys are helping me and I appreciate it!

I hope I'm not stuck making $22k a year though!! That would be extremely rough with 3 kids.

Marvin

As a thought, have you considered trying to get a job at FlightSafety Int'l as an instructor?

I did that for about 18 months. Good place to work, stable, good money, home every night ... and you will make a ton of contacts in the corporate world. If you are a good instructor with a good personality, I can guarantee you will get job offers from some of the corporate outfits you instruct. Just a thought.

They are very wary of guys who only need them for a little while too. I told them I would stay for 18 months so I could evaluate them and they could evaluate me. Was offered an opportunity to work at jetBlue (I was in the pool) 5 months later and turned it down because I figured Karma would get me if I broke my promise. Decided to go to Airtran (now owned by SWA) after my 18 months had expired. :-)