Since no one else is answering... I'm in a job flying day VFR single engine pistons, I had the same concern but everyone I asked said that recency is recency. As long as you have the ME, etc requirements met, recency is recency.

I'll let you know in a year or so how that works out for me.

Just talked with a friend who is retiring in July. He interviewed last year, took leave earlier this year to attend initial training, used leave again to fly a month or two of trips, and will return to work to officially retire. Guess it can be done in this environment. To all doing the separation/retirement thing--good luck.

I've met two jet Blue new hires who are still on terminal leave for retirement, jump seating in uniform already for training. It's definitely a your mileage may vary by luck/who you know scenario.

Since we're on the topic of timing, has anyone used Audries Aircraft Analysis? http://www.audriesaircraftanalysis.com/

Click Airline Analysis then click Airline Pilot Demand then the type of airline industry you're curious about. Seems like a good tool.

I'm retiring from the military in 2 years (if I can get out of an ADSC) and 3 if I can't but I'll be in a full-time flying position. Hoping I can dodge any deployments along the way (have had my fair share). I technically can retire in early fall this year but wouldn't be current and qualified as I'm coming from a staff tour. So off to training I go which will incur a 3 year ADSC. Hoping 2015 or 2016 look good for hiring although it looks like I'm going to miss the initial run in late 2013 and 2014. I'm more worried about QoL than income so any suggestions on Cargo verses Passenger airlines? I desire flexible jump seating as I need to be mobile and I'd like the reduce airline fares for children/spouse/etc. Not sure if those are available on FedEx or UPS.

I'm just getting started on this site so I look forward to learning from all of you as I embark on this airline pilot career journey.

gmaster--check the AFPC reg if you are retirement eligible..there used to be a clause in the reg that said they cannot give you an ADSC for retraining after a certain point. I got lucky and did a local requal last year so didn't have to dig up this supposed reference. It's worth asking the question and doing some research. In today's personnel system you will probably have to find it on your own since there are not many personnelist around who really understand the regs even at AFPC.

Thanks for the info gr8vu....I will definitely check!