I'm separating in June of 2015. Right now, I have ~1350 hours. I flew 500 hours last year, so I'm hoping that over the next 16 months I can make it to 2000 hours. All of my time is single engine (T-34C, T-45C, AV-8B, T-6B).

The ExpressJet recruiter said that they could hire me with 25 hours of multi engine time and give me the ATP as part of the training, so I'm going to need to buy at least 25 hours of multi time. Is it worth it for me to buy the remaining 25 hours of multi time in order to get the ATP, or with my total time, am I going to have to go to a regional first anyway, so I might as well save the money and get the multi time and ATP as part of their training?

 

Can you do the T-44 at CRP as a reservist? That would solve your multi engine problem, and give you the mil leave schedule adjust card if you had to do a regional to put 121 time on your resume.

Your hometown ANG or Air Force Reserve Unit might send you to training in a C-130 or KC-135 also. All depends on their manning.

Good luck, thanks for your service.

 

You could always put a package in but the returning letterman tend to get the nod.

 

You're going to need some ME time for any airline gig. Options are...

Military good deal
Find a part 91 (135?) job
Buy it

Your timeline and willingness to pound the pavement probably determine what's right for you. What's your time worth? In terms of eventual major airline seniority...

 

I'm looking into ANG opportunities. I guess I'm wondering whether or not paying for the time will actually accelerate my major airline timeline, or if I'm going to have to go to a regional at first anyway, so I may as well save the money.

If I knew that I'd get on with a major, it would be an easy decision for me, and I would buy the time immediately. I'm just wondering whether the majors would be willing to look at me with an estimated 2,000 hours in June of 2015. If not, maybe I can save the $6,000 or $12,000 ($240 an hour wet at the local FBO for either 25 or 50 hours) by focusing on the regionals or ANG first if that's where I'm going to end up anyway.

 

I just reread your original post. 2000 hours with lots of time in tactical jets should get you hired by a major. You just need to go get your ATP in a Seminole and that will add your multi engine rating to your ticket. There have been plenty of SE only mil guys hired in previous waves with those quals and hours. Right now as it has been discussed on other threads, they are going through the "astronauts" and it will be a bit before 2000 hr TT guys get the call, even with the multipliers some companies use to help guys with all the high quality fighter/attack/trainer time.

This is a toss up, find a multi engine gig in one of the reserve components and wait for the majors to call. Pay for multi time to go to a regional to build 1000 hrs / year of SIC 121 time.

Look into the 340th FTG, they'd like you to live near the squadron, but you don't have to. We have done plenty of inter service transfers, and we send people to PIT with no prior experience of teaching at UPT. You have taught primary, so it would be an easy sell to tell them you wanted to fly the T-1. We have locations at Laughlin, Columbus, and Vance with T-1s. PM me or JetIP and we can point you in the direction, if you are interested.

 

Correct me if I'm wrong Tummy - but looking at your path - most of that proposed 2,000 hrs will NOT be tactical jets but rather in the training aircraft - specifically T-6s for him.
Looks like he was a student in T-34Cs and T-45s.
Got Harriers (are you fleet Harrier guys getting much time now?) and then went to the training command where he is an IP in the T-6 and is probably flying more than he ever has before (500 hrs in a year maybe you said?)

I'm not sure - but does that change the equation tweet?

FlyBoyd -

I didn't know the multi VTs would pick up a former single engine (or even multi-engined tactical fighter guy). Would coming for the T-6 VT help Tummy in the selection process?

 

Maybe for some carriers, maybe not for others. SWA used to not care if the predominance of turbine PIC was in SE turbo prop and they have a ton of T-34 bros there.

 

Your question is confusing. Are you asking...1. should I buy 25 hours to get to a regional? Or...2. should I buy xx amount of multi time to get to 2000 hours?

Assuming option 1...it just depends. If you can afford it, that's probably the quickest route to get to a major eventually by way of a regional. Reserves would be a much better QOL but slower process also.

If you question is option 2, no way. I can't imagine this is your question because that would cost a fortune. And when you get to 2000 hours, that's still not competitive.

Your time is low, you are not competitive for a Major yet. I know lots of mil guys with 3 to 4 times the hours that have been waiting for a while for a call. With that said, anything can happen.

 

Most important... knock out your ATP written ASAP (before Aug and the new rules take over). Once you hit 1500 hrs get your ATP practical done. Yes I know you can get a restricted ATP as a military guy, but why bother since you are talking Summer 2015 and will easily hit 1500 hrs long before that. Have all of your Apps in with Majors and Regionals 6-9 months out at least. START TO NETWORK! 2000 hrs as a Military guy with mostly PIC and plenty of IP time will eventually get you a call from Majors... "eventually" (get those internal Recs... NETWORK). I've heard of guys with 2000 hrs getting calls, but most were 90% fighter time, so if you are waiting for that call from a Major it may take a year or two. If you don't get a call from a Major and can't get a ME full time Guard/Reserve gig you can definitely get on with a Regional. I know some military guys with 1500-2000 hrs who put in Apps with Regionals and got a call within 24 hrs... pick a few of the "good ones" and put in Apps 6 months out; you'll definitely get some calls. Pay will suck, but it will be a mutual benefit for them to get an experienced FO and for you to get 700-800 hrs of ME jet and 121 time in a year while you are waiting to get a call from AA, DAL, UA, SWA. I wouldn't waste $12K on 50 hrs of ME time just yet.