Airline advice for an Air Force heavy pilot?
#1
Line Holder
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Aug 2015
Posts: 64
Airline advice for an Air Force heavy pilot?
I'm at 14 years in the Air Force and in about 10 months I'm going to find out if I'm retained to 20 years, early retired at 15, or "not retained". I'm currently deployed until February, but when I get back I'm knocking out an ATP and possibly a 737 type rating with Higher Power Aviation.
I've got around 2000 total of which about 1300 is in 707 variants, and I'm currently an Aircraft Commander. I'd have more hours, but from 2008-2013 I was flying unmanned aircraft and that does not count for the airlines.
I tried doing a search through the hundreds of pages long threads for each airline, but pieces of pertinent information is scattered all over the place. I live in Atlanta and am going to try to get hired with ExpressJet, since one of their domiciles is there. I'll just have to see if they actually fly me so I can build up hours or just keep me on reserve...With that being said, does anyone have any advice given my specific situation as to which major airline I should shoot for. I'd love to fly for Southwest, and I've heard Delta is very military friendly.
I've got around 2000 total of which about 1300 is in 707 variants, and I'm currently an Aircraft Commander. I'd have more hours, but from 2008-2013 I was flying unmanned aircraft and that does not count for the airlines.
I tried doing a search through the hundreds of pages long threads for each airline, but pieces of pertinent information is scattered all over the place. I live in Atlanta and am going to try to get hired with ExpressJet, since one of their domiciles is there. I'll just have to see if they actually fly me so I can build up hours or just keep me on reserve...With that being said, does anyone have any advice given my specific situation as to which major airline I should shoot for. I'd love to fly for Southwest, and I've heard Delta is very military friendly.
#3
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2007
Position: Petting Zoo
Posts: 2,074
The ATP is a must. The type.....would only do it if you are set on SWA. They don't require it anymore, but I still think it will help the app. No one else cares in the slightest, and it would therefore be a waste of money.
If you're deployed, might as well start knocking out the apps online. They last for a year, and are very tedious to fill out--great thing to do while in a sandbox. You won't be able to finish them without an ATP, but you can get a chunk of the work done.
I think all airlines are "military friendly." I suspect you will get snapped up quickly by just about any regional. Some will give you the ATP. And the fact they put you on reserve doesn't mean they won't fly the snot out of you.
I wouldn't limit yourself to regionals though, apply to the majors. If you want to stay in Atlanta SWA and DAL are the obvious choices (commuting blows), but you should apply everywhere. Bird in hand.
Look up Albies square corners post.
2000 hours isn't bad, how much PIC?
If you're deployed, might as well start knocking out the apps online. They last for a year, and are very tedious to fill out--great thing to do while in a sandbox. You won't be able to finish them without an ATP, but you can get a chunk of the work done.
I think all airlines are "military friendly." I suspect you will get snapped up quickly by just about any regional. Some will give you the ATP. And the fact they put you on reserve doesn't mean they won't fly the snot out of you.
I wouldn't limit yourself to regionals though, apply to the majors. If you want to stay in Atlanta SWA and DAL are the obvious choices (commuting blows), but you should apply everywhere. Bird in hand.
Look up Albies square corners post.
2000 hours isn't bad, how much PIC?
#4
New Hire
Joined APC: Oct 2014
Position: T-6 FE
Posts: 5
I'm actually surprised you haven't caught more heat for your "lack" of research. Probably because the post is new. The following links are quality deployment reading. These should answer many of your questions. Enjoy and good luck!
http://www.airlinepilotforums.com/hi...e-corners.html
http://www.airlinepilotforums.com/mi...11-update.html
http://www.airlinepilotforums.com/hi...e-corners.html
http://www.airlinepilotforums.com/mi...11-update.html
#9
While commuting does indeed blow, it's pretty easy out of ATL, at least down to FLL (so I'm told, anyways). Spirit, jetBlue would also make viable candidates, with FLL and/or MCO bases...
#10
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,459
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post