TERA and transition plan
 

Any thoughts/recommendation for a 17 yr TERA escapee who only has 950 TPIC (mostly T-38 IP and T-6 IP/EP time) and 2350 TT (w/800 hrs B-52 SIC)? I've done my CFI/CFII (about to get my MEI) and will start teaching locally just to stay flying while hoping for a timely call from the majors. I figure building PIC time (even if non-turbine) might be worth it in the short term before going regional in 6-9 months. Or is it smarter to go now and accept the sub-1000 PIC time and keep building turbine/multi-eng time instead? Darn you 5-yrs of non-flying queep assignments! I've got some Chief OGV and DO experience but is it enough to compensate for the relatively low hours? Appreciate the insights.

Go to a regional, Tpic won't matter just get your connections in order.

What is your recency of flying like? Are you leaving from a staff job now or from a flying gig? That is probably more important than your hours. Quite frankly, while you are on the lower edge of some other military "retirees", you're not out of the realm of "hire-able" by a major (if you are current). If you haven't looked at the "Who's Been Hired" thread, it's chock full of military guys getting calls with hours in the 2000-3000 range. There are even some fighter guys getting called in the 1800+ range. The OGV and DO experience will definitely help. If your apps are not in, they need to be, like yesterday. To answer your other question, if you don't get called, go regional. I think the airlines would value heavy jet SIC more than they would bug-smasher PIC.

Get your ducks in a row! You need to meet basic minimums first. You aren't that far off from meeting Delta's, United's, or AA's requirements -- as they don't have TPIC requirements anymore -- at least from what I can see.

Delta - Pilot Basics

Pilot Positions and Career Opportunities | United Airlines

https://aa.pilotcredentials.com/inde...qualifications

Do you have an ATP? If not, read this ... http://www.faa.gov/pilots/training/a...Job_Aid_GA.pdf

If you can, get the unrestricted ATP certificate.

If I were you, I'd go to a regional and build more time quickly. You can also instruct on the side. Don't think the regional route will be easy. Crappy pay, crappy schedules. Oh, they also have tough technical interviews. If you get that far, don't put off studying and chair flying. If you fail a training or check ride event at a PART 121 regional carrier, you might be doomed.

Good luck.

TERA and transition plan
 

Retired as a T-6 IP/EP. All apps are in with internal recs. Unrestricted ATP and 737 Type done as well. I meet all of the mins for the majors. While guys in my total hours range are getting hired, I think their 1000+ PIC is carrying some weight. I agree with the recency issue which is why I'll go regionals after the 6 month mark. Thanks for the inputs.

How much of your total time is T-6 time? I've heard some majors might discount the single engine prop time.

Also, what did you list as your date of availability?

TERA and transition plan
 

That's a good point. About 550 hrs in the T-6 with immediate availability.

Really? Who did you hear that from?

Second hand, from a military pilot with lots of T-6 time. He was told that by one of the recruiters at OBAP. I don't recall which airline.

Fair enough. I had read that before (on here) and I've never been able to get my head around why its less than desirable time. I guess I'll find out in a few years.

Because it is single engine. It's not that hard to figure out.

So is an F-16. I understand that airlines view multi engine time as more desirable, but if the number of engines is the sole determinate of the quality of the time then what separates a Viper guy from a T-6 IP?

Off the top of my head.....about 300KIAS!;):D

No kidding!

F-16 time is regarded more highly than T-6 time in some military-leaning hiring circles because of the caché associated with the position within the military. That kind of caste-laden distinction is common amongst Air Force circles where one-drop rules, one-way airframe stovepiping, herbs vs carnivores and other dont-cross-the-streams silly AF nonsense abound, but it's generally not present in the majority of civilian hiring. I wouldn't worry about T-6 time. It's hardly a show stopper. Recency of experience is probably a more important variable in this hiring environment. Good luck.

Totally makes sense. Thanks.

FedEx does not count SE turboprop time toward its minimum qualifications. Surprising though with all the navy bubbas we have around here...

The guy trying to kill you is IN your cockpit :D!

By that reasoning we should get extra credit!