Military pilot to regional job
 

I tried a search and found mixed results.

As I get closer to my DOS and the majors aren't calling I'm considering more and more the option of going to a regional just to check the 121 box and hopefully generate a call. I have a reserve job lined up and can make a lot more money doing that. I can also make a lot more money by staying home and playing Mr Mom while my wife transitions from part to full time.

Additionally, I have a decent amount of time for a military pilot (3850 total, 1700 turbine mostly PIC, IP/EP, CFII)and will stay current in the reserves.

So I'm really just looking for opinions on wether this is a good idea for generating an interview invite at the Majors. Anyone out there have success at it? Anyone recommend not doing it? I'm not motivated enough to actually apply to any airlines not on airlineapps. So I went ahead and submitted to GoJet, ExpressJet, and Skywest today. I plan to take significant mil leave to pay the bills and am looking at this short term (ie if I don't get a call within a year...I'll bail to a non flying job while I wait).

Thoughts on the game-plan and recommendations on the airlines I've mentioned? GoJet has some problems like no CNX pay, etc. but they offer an upgrade to captain at 4500 hours. My biggest concern is they must pay me during training and must pay for my hotel as well.

B-E:

I got my first call for an interview 7 days before DOS. While in training at that airline, United called.

It is nerve-wracking, I know. But the numbers and odds are in your favor. It often seems that when it rains, it pours.

As long as you can trough in the T-38, I'd enjoy the better pay and lifestyle. If 6-9 months down the road nothing has happened, you could consider the Regional gig. But personally, I think that is a better option for guys who are retired, and have no flying job keeping them current.

You're overqualified for the regionals.

Keep flying, stay current, and you'll have a decent job soon enough.

Why not do both? There is no guarantee that the majors are going to call.

I interviewed at ExpressJet recently. Retiring from AF in Dec. I wanted the experience of the testing/interview. Seems like a good job but the pay is truly sickening even with a retirement check. I'd love to do it for a while, but my concern is I can't afford to. Looking at corporate until the majors call.

Imagine being pure civilian...... nice that the majors are there, isn't it.

My buds who have done this are divided in two groups....Group one says the best way to round out the resume is adding some 121 time to the mix....Group two says if you can live in base it is not terrible but if not avoid it unless absolutely necessary to maintain recency of experience. You can also defer the interview or job offer for the right reasons and most are willing to leave you in the mix for 3-4 months before they want you to reapply. I actually had a friend defer his training for several months.

:confused:If the majors weren't there, why would anyone do it?

- I think that quote hits the nail on the head.

I'm in a similar situation (got out mid career, lots of PIC jet time + reserve job to stay current). I asked Judy Tarver about doing the regional, or a CFI on my days off from the reserves - she said that with my experience, she didn't think it would make any difference. I've also had some senior airline mentors talk about the value of the 121 stamp - and various airlines have had some chief pilots that had a real bug about getting it.

I think it would come down to the personality of the airline.

Benefits:
-121 stamp
-sympathy pts in an interview
-extra hours (although they are SIC)
-training experience (even if the regional doesn't help get the job, your first 2-3 weeks in airline training will be less stressful). You will have all of the new lingo down, without being there long enough to set habit patterns.
-jump seating ability

Pitfalls:
-I wouldn't want to quit until I got a job offer with a major
-It will cost you money to work there (yes, you can go back to ramen noodles, but in all reality, with the expenses of setting up shop, and your accustomed lifestyle, you will pay out of pocket to work for them)
-Some might mention the possibility of a failed check ride, but if you go in and treat the training as if it is a Major, I doubt that would be an issue. I would stick with a larger regional with a quality training program.

Recommend:
-stay away from one that has a two leg commute. The biggest learning lesson I got out of my TSA interview was how long it took to get there.

This is important. It is very very rare for a major to have a serious malfunction in it's it's training dept...I won't say never, but not something you really have to sweat (more likely to get run over by a bus). Show up prepared and put in the effort and you'll do fine.

But there are a few bottom-feeder regionals whose training philosophy is to throw a handful of noodles at the wall and keep the few that stick. The rest go home with a training failure. Being military may not really help you here, especially if you get a bitter civilian as a sim instructor/evaluator. Do your homework and stay away from these places (the pay and QOL will be even worse than the "better" regionals anyhow).

x2 as well. Also no "double commute"...don't commute to both both work and drill, live in one of those places. I'd say live at your drill site if it's a busy unit (ie squadron) where you have to go in more than once a month. Otherwise live at your airline base if you can.