General Currency Requirements?
 

Long time lurker with first post. As a rule of thumb, what do the airlines consider to be "current?" I just got back from a non-flying billet and it looks like I may have a difficult time getting back into the cockpit before I retire next spring.

Thanks in advance.

Stetson20

At Fedex they want to see if you are actively flying. I don't think there's a hard and fast rule, i.e. x months away from flying disqualifies you, but they want active interest in flying. If you're in a non-flying billet can you do a part time job to show your interest in flying, instruct, charter work, etc? There are plenty of people here who were in your situation and came to work as professional instructors in our training dept and then after three years or so applied and went to the line. The job here is all about flying and very little about being a good officer and/or staff person. Although those characteristics are looked at, the main thing is the flying.

OC

I'm looking in to getting my CFI while I'm still on active duty and can afford to pay for the flight time. Also investigating some other options like driving up to Milton (1+15 one-way drive) to fly with the VTs there- they're hurting for pilots, so the rumor mill says. I gotta do what I gotta do to get my currency!

Thanks for the reply.

Stetson20

Coastie-

It's good to see another Coastie here. I'm coming up on my obligation completion (about 10 years in) and am exploring my options. I'm flying C-130's at Barbers Pt right now and am interested in your perspective of the "outside" world. Especially FedEx etc.

Kjell

I am in the same boat, non flying staff job, and have asked that Q to a couple senior pilots at FedEx involved in the hiring process. Both said the company understands that non flying jobs are part of the military deal and are not looked at in the same light as a civilian who intentionally gave flying up to work another job and then tries to get back in. They also said that flying the C-172 every now and then to show intent is a good thing, not mandatory though. The bottom line is that come interview time in the sim you are responsible to be prepared. The take away is that a non flying military job is not a show stopper.

To fly students at TRAWING5 you'll need to be current on the T-34C, or have orders to the FITU for some abbreviated re-currency training if you were a previous instructor. Even the abbreviated syllabus can take 2-3 months. First time through can take 4-6 months. Reserve billets are currently available, but word is that by this fall they will start becoming very competitive for selection again as most the billets will be filled with few senior retirements upcoming. Don't know your background or what kind of connections up the chain of command you might have to help you out. But unless you are affiliated with the WING or a reservist you can't really just pick up a flight...

Currency
 

Stetson,

As I recall, SWA looked for recent flight time and quantified it, 200hours in the last 36 months. Other places were looking to see if your flight time was commensurate (sp) with your assignment, in other words, if you were assigned to a VT squadron and are only getting your annual mins, that might raise a few eyebrows, but if you were coming off an IA, your lack of currency is understood. You had just better be ready when they put you in the sim.

If you can get in at NSE as an assoc, might be worth the effort if you are looking for a post-military flying career, especially at SWA.

Good luck in your quest.

SD

Thanks for the info, all. I struck out with the VTs up at Whiting also. I fortunately have about 30 months worth of GI Bill left and don't have my ATP yet. I am going to go over to P'cola Regional and see if the instructors and I can cobble together some sort of program to get FAA quals (CFI, CFII, MEI, ATP) in a reasonable order to use my GI Bill to pay 60%.

It'll be expensive, but it's what I need to do.

Stetson20

I have a friend in my whiting squadron who can do everything up to your ATP, check with P'cola regional and if you want I'll give you his number and he might be able to give you a better deal. He's an active duty IP who civilian instructs on the weekends etc.. PM me and I'll pass on his info.

Split S,

I don't have PM capability. Guess I don't have enough posts. Can you pass my work # to him? 452-2088 and ask for Oscar. I work down at Schools Command in the CRM office.

Much appreciated.

Stetson20