hawgdriver

I am two years out from my pilot training commitment. My plan is to separate, transition to a Guard/Reserve unit and get an airline job. This summer when I return from my deployment my plan is to get my ATP and start gathering letters of rec. for future employers. As we approach the so called "hiring wave" I'm considering palace chase in one year to lead turn future hiring. I need some advice on this decision. My reasoning is to get in on the front of the hiring wave rather than wait another year and have a years worth of pilots hired before me. Am I crazy for even considering this? I could end up with a part time Guard job and the airlines still talking about a future hiring wave. I'm not the sole bread winner in my family so I'm not too worried about the money but It's always nice to have two salaries. What's your thoughts on this?

Grumble

My timing is a little sooner than yours but I'm in the exact same boat with the same plan. I wouldn't get too wrapped around the axle over one year. The real big retirement numbers to ramp up for another 4-5 years. Things are still a mess industry wide and my friends in the biz, while optimistic, don't see anything happening in the near term. Not to mention what happens with the economy. If we hit another big down turn, all bets are off.

Pancake

Start visiting ANG/AFRC units you're interested in. Don't ignore units that fly something besides the A-10; be willing to fly anything. Base your visits on location ("Why do you want to live here?"), and realize that a big part of the process is "Do I want to work and deploy with this guy for the next 10 years?

if4not

Two years may also let the dust settle on which Hawg units are still around and which are not.

Pancake is correct about rushing, it's never too soon to start.

KC10 FATboy

I would consider staying in until you exceed the minimums to get hired at an airline. There are *lots* of bubbas out there (military, civilian, mil/civ) who far exceed the minimums. Sure you can build time in the guard/reserves. Depending on the unit, you could actually fly a lot more or a lot less than the active duty counterpart. Choose wisely.

Starting early is good. Very good.

When I was a Flt/CC, I had a 1LT come into my office and told me that he was rushing the C-37 (737?) outfit in DC. His wife was a DOE attorney and the only place she can work was in DC. He feared that his next move would be away from McGuire or DC area. Well, I thought he was crazy but told I him to go down there and rush them. And that he did. They would show up during holiday time with treats, even offered anyone who had to stay in town to come over their house for a holiday meal or a non-hotel room. He ended up getting a offer. Unfortunately, active duty leadership wouldn't approve his package.

CAFB 04-12

I'm curious about the letters of recommendation part. Do airline apps/interviews use them? How would one go about asking a former (or current) commander, for example, for a letter?

KC10 FATboy

Yes, some use them some do not. airlinesapps.com uses letters of recommendations in a digital format. The person gets an email, they then log in and answer the questions and enter their LOR. Some online apps give you the option to upload PDF or Word files. Print out your letter, have them sign it, scan it to PDF, upload.

In any case, get a LORs from your bosses. If you are going to apply to lots of airlines, have a general LOR or ask them for permission to substitute companies on the letter.