Airline Pilot Central Forums - Taking the wind out of my sails

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- - Taking the wind out of my sails (https://www.airlinepilotforums.com/military/77185-taking-wind-out-my-sails.html)

Be very careful about going to a regional or other low paying aviation job unless you are prepared to stick it out until you get an interview at a major.

If you leave after only a short time for anything other than a major, it looks like you left because you didn't like the lifestyle/time away from home. That is a huge red flag to HR types.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AluminumFalcon (Post 1485024)

As a Navy pilot with close to 2000 hours and about 1000 of that multiengine time (I was a P-3 guy and currently am a T-6 instructor), I thought I was positioning myself for a decent transition to an airline job with a legacy carrier. But after reading through these forums, I'm starting to get a bit worried.

Several posts (mostly by non-military guys with more hours than I have) make it sound like I'll need to spend half a decade at a regional carrier before I am competitive at the legacy carriers. I always expected a couple years to get back up to my current active duty pay, but I don't know if I could absorb that huge a pay cut for that long.

Now I'm starting to worry that the airline biz might not be an option for me with kids to feed. How tough is it for military guys getting out to get hired?

I'm still trying to feel out all my career options. I still need to get my ATP knocked out and was considering Higher Power for the type rating, but that seems like it might be a waste of money if I have no chance of getting hired. Thoughts?

I would look into acquiring a T-6 Reserve job or another Reserve/ANG flying job before separating. Additionally, I would get that ATP and hold off on the Higher Power Type. I just had a bud get called by Southwest without the type, and they asked him if hired would he obtain it. Good Luck

With the current hiring wave I believe the market will force Southwest to look at qualified pilots without the type.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DoodyOfficer (Post 1505581)

With the current hiring wave I believe the market will force Southwest to look at qualified pilots without the type.

They already do. It's only required that you get it after a job offer.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stitches (Post 1505007)

I know a couple of guys who quit regionals and kept currency in the Guard/Reserve that have been hired at majors. Leaving a regional because the job is financially unsustainable/imprudent isn't a death blow to an interview at a major.

Quote:

Originally Posted by e6bpilot (Post 1495962)

The 8 year commitment is a game changer for Navy guys. Unless you have a significant delay somewhere after winging, you are fodder for 2 years of non-flying (YMMV for jet guys). JOPA, plan accordingly. Getting that CFI and moonlighting during your disassociated may be the answer. Otherwise, lobby hard for flying orders. As said above, have a plan!

Well dogie! Ain't that the truth.

Jed

I got hired on at Spirit with less than 4000TT. I don't discount the help I got from Spirit guys here on the forums either.
It's definitely tough to get an interview but that's mainly because of the sheer amount of applications out there.
Both JetBlue and Spirit offered a class date, I chose Spirit.
My applications for US Airways, Delta and United are still out there, but as of today, haven't heard a peep, but I'm content and happy where I'm at.
The point is, don't give up. Keep your contacts going (that's the single biggest factor I believe, once you make the minimums), continue to prep and be positive. The airlines appreciate the military pilot, for their leadership, their training and their discipline, all things as a military pilot you've already proven.
Best of luck!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pancake (Post 1506092)

Flying in a guard/reserve unit full of airline guys is a great path to the majors.