Military
04-01-2017 | 05:42 AM
#31
Line Holder
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 489
Likes: 1
From: Ending the Backlog one claim at a time
There's no cause of action for not hiring someone you don't think will stay.
04-01-2017 | 05:44 AM
#32
On Reserve
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
I'm a retired AF pilot, 3500 hrs in 135s and T-1s. Been out of the cockpit for about 3 yrs. Am contemplating leaving the corporate world and returning to the cockpit. Im operating on the assumption at regionals are a must given my lack of currency. But I'll be honest, the pay and lifestyle (commuting) seem pretty rough. Looking to hear from anyone who has gone down this road.
I'm in the same boat. 49 year old retired military guy who has not flown in 3 years. Reading the extensive and wide ranging opinions on this site, I've come to the conclusion that the regional life will most certainly suck. However one must choose one that minimizes the suck to the greatest extent possible and then embrace the remaining suck until a legacy calls. Minimizing the suck is key and includes location (i.e. domicile/reducing or eliminating a commute), work rules, pay, and no training contract. For those of us in our position with the requisite turbine PIC time but no recency, flow is not as important as we are looking to move on way before flow becomes an option. In the end the choice of regional, save for a few bottom feeder companies, is a personal decision based upon your personal situation. That is the reason many people will resist giving out an opinion of which is the "best regional" until they know the specifics of your situation. Even then, different people tolerate different levels of suck. Like I said, except for a few bottom feeder companies, do your research and choose one that fits you best.
04-01-2017 | 06:21 AM
#34
New Hire
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Every airline is different with respect to "recency of flying" but most seem to want to see you currently flying professionally. SWA seems to be the most relaxed with asking for 2 years of flying in last 5.
Lots of folks on the board are in the same spot that you are in. Same situation as those leaving the military from staff tours (including me).
Financially plan on 12-18 months at a regional. Regional will give you the most "points" on your application. Getting 100+ hours of recent turbine time as a professional pilot will also count but doesn't check the 121 box.
Biggest hurdle seems to be digesting the QOL issues that are certain when you return to flying. You will take a pay cut for the first 2-3 years (assuming you get hired by a major after 1) and unless you live or plan to live where you will be based - you will have to commute which cuts into days off.
The majors stress that they aren't hiring good pilots - they are hiring good leaders that also happen to be well trained pilots. As you write your applications - start now - highlight leadership in the air and on the ground. Each airline application is worse than filling in an SF86.
Lots of folks on the board are in the same spot that you are in. Same situation as those leaving the military from staff tours (including me).
Financially plan on 12-18 months at a regional. Regional will give you the most "points" on your application. Getting 100+ hours of recent turbine time as a professional pilot will also count but doesn't check the 121 box.
Biggest hurdle seems to be digesting the QOL issues that are certain when you return to flying. You will take a pay cut for the first 2-3 years (assuming you get hired by a major after 1) and unless you live or plan to live where you will be based - you will have to commute which cuts into days off.
The majors stress that they aren't hiring good pilots - they are hiring good leaders that also happen to be well trained pilots. As you write your applications - start now - highlight leadership in the air and on the ground. Each airline application is worse than filling in an SF86.
04-01-2017 | 06:24 AM
#35
Permanent Reserve
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,721
Likes: 12
No but regionals don't care. Go to a regional where you can live in/near domicile. Get your 121 time and currency. The 121 world is 2 completely different jobs depending on whether on not you commute. It is the single biggest QOL factor, in my opinion. Good luck
04-01-2017 | 06:26 AM
#36
Line Holder
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
I'm a retired AF pilot, 3500 hrs in 135s and T-1s. Been out of the cockpit for about 3 yrs. Am contemplating leaving the corporate world and returning to the cockpit. Im operating on the assumption at regionals are a must given my lack of currency. But I'll be honest, the pay and lifestyle (commuting) seem pretty rough. Looking to hear from anyone who has gone down this road.
I'm also pretty much decided on leaving my corporate (non-flying) job. I separated a few years ago and thought I wouldn't miss flying. Been out of a manned cockpit (KC-10) for 4 years.
If you're like me and working a job right now where you are tied to a work phone, get hundreds of emails a day about I'm not sure what and can't ever totally shut the brain off from work in case there's an emergency, then it really puts flying into perspective about the skills/training we were given to put toward doing a job that I believe in the LONG RUN will allow for better quality of life.
Nothing's perfect in a job but being able to set the parking brake and truly be done for the day is sounding better so I can have quality time at home.
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04-01-2017 | 08:57 PM
#39
Line Holder
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
From: CRJ FO
According to the spreadsheet one of the senior PSA pilots posts, they have long call reserve also. It appears to be more senior since guys would rather sit at home on 12 hour call out than fly less favorable lines.
04-01-2017 | 09:01 PM
#40
Line Holder
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
From: CRJ FO
I'm also pretty much decided on leaving my corporate (non-flying) job. I separated a few years ago and thought I wouldn't miss flying. Been out of a manned cockpit (KC-10) for 4 years.
If you're like me and working a job right now where you are tied to a work phone, get hundreds of emails a day about I'm not sure what and can't ever totally shut the brain off from work in case there's an emergency, then it really puts flying into perspective about the skills/training we were given to put toward doing a job that I believe in the LONG RUN will allow for better quality of life.
Nothing's perfect in a job but being able to set the parking brake and truly be done for the day is sounding better so I can have quality time at home.
If you're like me and working a job right now where you are tied to a work phone, get hundreds of emails a day about I'm not sure what and can't ever totally shut the brain off from work in case there's an emergency, then it really puts flying into perspective about the skills/training we were given to put toward doing a job that I believe in the LONG RUN will allow for better quality of life.
Nothing's perfect in a job but being able to set the parking brake and truly be done for the day is sounding better so I can have quality time at home.
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