USMCFLYR

If coming up through the civilian ranks, you spend years in the CFI, freight, regionals to get the experience to apply to the majors.
If you come up through the military ranks, you spend years getting the experience to apply to the majors.

In the past, military pilots have been able to turn that experience gained directly into a major and not have to go to the regional. Stagnation has caused a gap in the chain, and for currency and recency, and maybe even for competitiveness, some military pilots have had to make a stop at the regionals for a variety of reasons. The first peer I know of was 2006 timeframe and I'm sure there of others whom I just never heard bout so this anything exactly new.

When there is moderate movement again I'd be willing to bet that things will return closer to what some of the 'older' heads on here think of the *regular/usual* times and the 10 years minimum in the military will get you the same look as the regional pilot will 10 years experience.

As for competing against your peers, I've heard from some in the know that mpilot hit the nail on the head about spreading out the wealth. A military pilot competes against other military pilots, regional pilots against regional pilots, corporate against corporate - at least initially.

Mod note for the forum.
If your only reason for coming onto the forum/subforum is to throw hand grenades around about tired old subjects/debates and not really contribute anything to the thread, you will be shown the door. Those in disagreements with the topics are welcome to challenge as long as you don't turn it personal or start hurling insults. Facts usually end up cutting deeper in any case.

USMCFLYR

No different than when I was a senior instructor pilot yet assigned as a wingman with a section lead who is 10 years younger than I. Unless he does something that is about to hurt someone or something - he is in charge. The same thing I would expect out of a wingman/FO 10 years younger than I.

djepage

If you are flying and keeping your 6 month above 100 hours and 12 month above 200 hours, I would not go regional. I retired in July with 3800TT/2200PIC and got an interview with United which I promptly boofed due to retirement/PCS from overseas and not being very current or proficient. Expected to hear from {INSERT HIRING MAJOR HERE}, but nothing. So, after watching my 6 month look back go to single digits. Applied to ExpressJet(hired), AA (Nov Interview) and PSA (Nov Interview). All of those calls came within 10 days of hitting send, so I get to go fly and they are gonna pay me for it. True that I will probably break even at 20 something an hour, but I get sick and tired of seeing Civ Only Trolling by guys who obviously want to make a lot and work a little while being told they are everyone's hero. Most military guys still remember that flying is fun and if someone pays you, that's a bonus and if they pay you a lot, that means better beer.

Sputnik

I'd always heard 100 hours in year, I'm lower than your number. I get that more is better, just curious where you got that?

Partly because I'll be between one and two hundred.

djepage

I always heard the same, but then saw jB had 200 hours in 1 year.

John Carr

And just to circle back around. You DIDN'T learn ALL those skills in 2 months EITHER.

And NOT to be rude. But I just don't think that even with your back ground you could be a 121 PIC in a 2 month time frame either. Yeah, you could look at 121 being a "dumbed down" version of what you're used to. But especially if that 2 months was summer/fall flying, no winter ops/deice, etc, I just don't see it happening. Like I said, not being rude, just realistic. 13+ years and I STILL see situations that are unique. Especially with certain companies changing cultures and their policies, etc.

Some of the other parts are simply the intensity that goes along with mil training, such as AR.

Does a guy right out of training/RAG/FRS lead a 4 ship? Does a guy right out of training/RAG/FRS command a 40 ship package? Just sayin........

USMCFLYER pretty much gets it right EVERY TIME when saying it's mostly peer comparison.

And usually when that question is asked, it's combined with general personality test.

cloudkicker1981

I kinda went the reverse route. Regionals for 5 years and then the guard. Finishing up my second year of seasoning now. I have 5,000 TT, 2500 PIC Turbine 121, and 500 military single seat. No call yet either. Bro of mine just got the node from a Major with about the same kind of time.

I don't think the 121 time will be worth the small advantage if any at all but I'm not on a hiring board. The most important thing would be to stay current, network, and believe brother! You have the experience. As stated above, the demand isn't quite there yet for the Majors. As hiring picks up so will the calls!

Jaxs170

I would definitely do the interview at XJT, it is worth the hotel to get the experience at least. Taking the job is another story, but the more boxes you can check the better the odds of the computer picking your name out of the big hat.

Here is a tidbit to consider: Someone I know got a meet and greet with the UAL chief pilot in Houston. He has 3K+ hours in AMC aircraft, over 1K of IP/EP time, and is currently a ground/sim IP awaiting a transition into the reserves. The first question the chief asked him was why he was not flying for a regional right now.

SaltyDog

RBI73,
20 years ago was facing same challenge. Furloughs were the rage at the majors. DOD was also downsizing. Resigned my regular, stayed as a flying reserve. I did go to a regional that paid far less than even today poor starting wages. Why?
1. One was to learn the commercial airline market.
2. Friends of mine flying at the majors suggested that it demonstrated a commitment to flying in the airlines. "If your in the industry, your a safer bet that you will stay at the major"
How will you answer this question at the major interview "So you bypassed the regionals after you resigned from active duty, why?"
If you believe your answer will pass the muster of the guy or gal in the interview/sim who came from a regional, couldn't get in the military, etc. then bypass the regional opportunity.
3. Bailing to a non flying job in a year doesn't enhance your resume for an airline job. Think of the airline interviewer looking for 'commitment', not our perception, but theirs.
4. Especially today, their is no guarantees in DOD funding either. (Im retiring after 30 next month)
Currency is a valuable commodity. Going regional doubles opportunity to remain current and attractive to the majors (not just for hours).
5. USERRA is a wonderful law. Get hired, get trained, get released to the line. Fly to proficiency. Take MIL and have many options. (USERRA questions? A few here are very knowledgeable and can help)
5a.You cant double commute. Anecdotally, all my squadron buds and others that did this ended up divorced except one. Bad odds.
5b. I learned a great deal from the Civilian only background Captains (many were younger). Much of this helped me in the major interview where I ended up. Landing on carriers was good, they didn't care. Confidently briefing a Cat II approach, etc and how I would handle x,y,z contingencies from an airline perspective was invaluable and authentic in the interview.
6. Luck is better than good planning, but the short term sacrifice (mine was 3 years) has paid handsomely for the last 17 years.
Finally, make a decision based on the love and support of your family. I am lucky, my bride of 24 years made our success possible with her sacrifices early on through the mil to civilian regional to major transition.
Best of Luck and future success!
Saltydog

RBI73

Saltydog,

Thanks for the advice. By bail to a non flying job, I just mean stop pursuing airlines at all and move on to a non flying career (so I won't care how competitive I am) and keep my reserve job. While I enjoy flying and want an airline job, bottom line is I have a family to feed and a family that is accustomed to a reasonably comfortable lifestyle. It would be selfish of me to work at low wages for more than a year in hopes of getting a call at a major. At some point I will have to move on with more lucrative options than regionals. There are lots of options out there right now for transitioning junior military officers.