What to put for your availability date?
 

For those prepping to separate or retire, what do you list as your availability date on your apps?

Up until yesterday, I had calculated when I expected to begin terminal leave, and listed the first of the following month as my availability date (still 8 months away).

But after speaking with a friend yesterday, they recommended listing "avail now" when w/in 6 months of your projected availability date.

His explanation was it will increase your app score and you can always mea culpa if you need to request to extend your training date (assuming you get a CJO) based on explaining the challenges of separating from the military.

I like the logic, but concerned that could come across as dishonest and be perceived as akin to hiding a speeding ticket or lying about a phase bust.

Does anyone in APC land have the "truth"...or at least sound advise?

That is just bad, bad advice.

2011....Fedex reopened their app window. To submit, you had to have the FE written. Several folks submitted with pencil whipped dates, since "...they were going to get them next month anyway and didn't want to miss the app window..."

Unfortunately, about the same time, we had a few pilots nailed for some integrity issues on travel vouchers and medical documents. HR starting paying close attention to the dotted i's and crossed t's on some applications, and called some guys out who showed up for interviews with a 1 March 2011 application and a xxx Apr FE written test date. They were not offered jobs from what I heard through the grapevine.

Everyone wants a job before they bail out of the military. I get that. Generally the airlines don't call until 90 days out these days. The result is you have to play chicken with your life, and that sucks.

However...my advice is it sucks less than explaining a lie. My least favorite question from a client has always been ..."How do I explain why I lied on the app...." I generally cannot give a very good answer to them. The best advice I have is don't chance it.

Looks like the answer is in your post. If I'm questioning something I'm about to do, generally there is reason, and I need to reconsider what I'm about to do.

That's terrible advice about putting a false date down. Don't lie. It's that simple. Think about it, would you prefer being honest or prefer to roll the dice that the mea culpa is bought and you're not black balled from that airline?

I put the date I would start terminal IF my Palace Chase gets approved. I have two interviews coming up that if hired, I could start within 2 weeks of a CJO. If my Palace Chase gets disapproved I could start no earlier than June. I plan to be very open and transparent should they ask about my availability. I won't find out if it's approved until after the interviews.


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