Staff guy to regionals
#31
I would only do that if the app has an "availability date" option. Otherwise they'll *assume* that you're more or less ready at any time.
If you submit an app with a clear down-range availability date, airlines might still call you and even interview you, affording the opportunity to lock in a job after your sep date.
But you don't want to have an awkward phone call with a recruiter who's confused about your availability, especially with a major airline.
If you submit an app with a clear down-range availability date, airlines might still call you and even interview you, affording the opportunity to lock in a job after your sep date.
But you don't want to have an awkward phone call with a recruiter who's confused about your availability, especially with a major airline.
Thanks!
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#32
Line Holder
Joined APC: Dec 2016
Posts: 52
Nearly five years into a staff tour, talking to guys in the industry and weighing my options I have decided to retire before my 0-6 board (not likely to make 0-6 in 2019) and go with the regionals. Could go back and fly military for a 2-3 yr tour but those wiser than me advise me to jump soonest. Don't have my ATP and regionals seem great for my situation not only to get current but to build some credibility prior to applying to the majors. Here is where I could use your insight. My available date is likely Nov 17 and wondering when I should start applying to the regionals. I believe there is a 6 month window where the interview remains valid. I feel real rusty when it comes to book knowledge and don't want to be put in a situation where they ask for a interview and need to cram in some prep time. Or is my availability something the airlines will focus on and will target an interview around 6 months prior to availability. My gut tells me to apply around the May time period and use the next few months to study up. Thank you for the feedback.
Any time you can get to knock the rust off before your class date will help. I have a buddy who just went through sims and his stick buddy had been out of a cockpit for 13 years. He failed the end checkride twice and got the boot. Not something you want on your record.
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#33
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2015
Posts: 217
The "requirements" are getting more fluid in this industry. Since it is a buyers market for pilots...the Majors are tripping over their junk to hire qualified quality people. I have a feeling that in the next couple of years the ATP requirement will be bending to get guys in the door...a Military exception if you will. The Majors will start hiring non ATP holding Military guys sooner than later. Demand will out strip the normal "Regional for a year" check in the box. At the very least you might get called after Regional Training for a Major...vice having to wait a year like what I did (granted I was picky in my Airline choice). Good luck!
#34
I'll add that the 100 hours in the last 12 months isn't necessarily a hard and fast rule at DAL...they've hired guys with less than half that. There were two guys in my class who had been at their respective regionals for less than 6 months. One received a call within 2 weeks of updating his app, reflecting his completion of his training at a regional. Both were retired AF guys who had spent their last 3 years flying a desk.
I went to a regional, and I'm convinced it's the main reason I received interviews at the majors. I was a young Guard guy, who hadn't been to IPUG and was only getting ~150 hr/yr. I decided to try the regionals and had 2 interviews lined up, the same day I hit submit on the apps. I actually had a lot of fun, learned a lot about 121 and they even paid for my ATP. Highly recommend this path. Best of luck!
I went to a regional, and I'm convinced it's the main reason I received interviews at the majors. I was a young Guard guy, who hadn't been to IPUG and was only getting ~150 hr/yr. I decided to try the regionals and had 2 interviews lined up, the same day I hit submit on the apps. I actually had a lot of fun, learned a lot about 121 and they even paid for my ATP. Highly recommend this path. Best of luck!
#35
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2016
Position: P-28
Posts: 151
This is true for the regional airlines as well. As others have stated, you can hold off hitting submit to the RAs until you are a couple/few of months out from separating. In my case, I interviewed with one of the RAs just over three months prior to my availability date. I was offered the job at the interview. When they showed me a list of class dates to pick from, all of them were prior to my date. They put me in the "pool" and then I selected a date about a month later when they had finalized the next month's class dates. The interview would have been good for six months. If I hadn't entered a class by then, I would have had to re-interview.
RAs have a pretty fast process as they want to fill all their classes and most have availability. Depending on how busy their recruiters are, you could get a call the same day you hit submit. Interviewed within a couple of weeks and in a class within a month. It could be longer, but in some cases it could be that fast.
RAs have a pretty fast process as they want to fill all their classes and most have availability. Depending on how busy their recruiters are, you could get a call the same day you hit submit. Interviewed within a couple of weeks and in a class within a month. It could be longer, but in some cases it could be that fast.
I would only do that if the app has an "availability date" option. Otherwise they'll *assume* that you're more or less ready at any time.
If you submit an app with a clear down-range availability date, airlines might still call you and even interview you, affording the opportunity to lock in a job after your sep date.
But you don't want to have an awkward phone call with a recruiter who's confused about your availability, especially with a major airline.
If you submit an app with a clear down-range availability date, airlines might still call you and even interview you, affording the opportunity to lock in a job after your sep date.
But you don't want to have an awkward phone call with a recruiter who's confused about your availability, especially with a major airline.
#36
On Reserve
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Jan 2017
Posts: 10
Anyone know the details of the signing/retention bonus that many regionals are offering. Originally assumed that it was fairly straight forward and thought when you hit the milestones, the bonus would be paid (ie at training completion and 1-yr point). Now thinking there may be a contractual catch and signing for a designated time is part of the process since they call it a "signing bonus". The regional websites do not talk to this much and may be more of a job offer question.
#37
On Reserve
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Jan 2017
Posts: 10
Staff guy to regionals
I wanted to bring back this thread as it was nearly a year ago where I was looking at a plan and this topic is a common one. Folks I know, non-current AF retirees are all showing up in the regionals. For myself the plan worked, after 5.5 yrs non-current, received a phone call about 30 min after posting my app. Conditional job offer the day of the interview with path to send me to get the ATC CTP and training starts next month. Feel free to PM and I can get you any specifics about the regional I chose. My focus on prep will be some instrument study and ATP written prep.
#39
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2017
Position: Captain
Posts: 278
Those are usually about 12-18 months, which is about how long a non-current or helo guy will need to wait anyway. I certainly wouldn't sign one longer than 18 months.
Best QOL are probably (in alphabetical order): Air Wisconsin, Horizon, Skywest, Expressjet.
You also need to consider domicile location and upgrade time. You will probably never upgrade at expressjet, and at horizon it could take many years.
You can take a chance on a bottom-feeder regional with fast upgrade and convenient domiciles, just hope to Jesus you don't get stuck there.
Lot's of that going on right now. I see it in my reserve unit, and at my regional. SKW will hire military (no contract) just in the hopes that a few of them stick around (a few do, and often wind up in leadership positions).
Best QOL are probably (in alphabetical order): Air Wisconsin, Horizon, Skywest, Expressjet.
You also need to consider domicile location and upgrade time. You will probably never upgrade at expressjet, and at horizon it could take many years.
You can take a chance on a bottom-feeder regional with fast upgrade and convenient domiciles, just hope to Jesus you don't get stuck there.
Lot's of that going on right now. I see it in my reserve unit, and at my regional. SKW will hire military (no contract) just in the hopes that a few of them stick around (a few do, and often wind up in leadership positions).
#40
VERY SIMILAR situation as Original Poster. I live in Dallas. Prefer to not commute or make commuting as painless as possible. Envoy, yes, over the others ? Or is a super-compelling reason out there to avoid Envoy ? My multi-engine turbine PIC is 2000, all turboprop. May need to "check the 121 box" on the resume....
The regional world has seen big changes since I posted that a year ago... better do your homework on the bonuses, contracts, and scheduling options.
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