Probably because they are shrinking substantially and are going to be a very senior pilot group even with all the pilots leaving there for other regionals.

Just turned 60
 

Hi guys and dolls,

I just turned 60....I retired early from United after a 27 year career. Great job but I'm done with commuting. I retired back in July and have been staying current flying a Baron 58 for a friend. I'm thinking of getting back in the game and have put in a few apps. Mainly with regionals offering direct entry Capt, and a few of the fractionals that don't require commuting. Every time I think I've come across something good, I find threads on here with folks talking about how horrible that place is to work. Very frustrating....of course I heard the same thing for 27 years at United. Grass is always greener? I joined here to try and narrow my search. Any help is appreciated.

Could try a corporate job in large cabin planes. Decent pay, something different than beating your brains out at a regional.

GF

They’re losing a lot of their flying.

I have been out of it for a while myself no 121 time. I have 2500 hours and was shocked how fast I got called for interviews. Read the airline interview gouges to prep and start now. The interviews are straight forward. I start class this week. I am looking forward and being a tad rusty I got some sim time and got my written done. Just study for a interview and the get Shepard air for you ATP written. Getting a job offer is the easy part.

They did just announce some sort of flow program to UAL... but if you have to wait for upgrade, that won't be much help.

Make sure you are good with glass and AP
 

I may be stating the obvious, but make sure you are instructing in a G1000, or something glass, with a Flight director. Also, use automation as much as you can . Flying ILS on autopilot, etc. This can be the toughest part of the transition. I saw a new hire that had only steam gauge experience in a fighter, 15 years ago. They were sent home after 5 sim sessions. My biggest issue...trust the flight director ! If you are ALWAYS on it, it works great. If you wander a bit, some FD's can lag. Depends on the FD, but trust it, and stay glued to it. Life will be much easier.

Also use home Flight sim.
 

Don't underestimate the skills from flying a home sim.
I flew a ton on MS flight sim, CRJ 700. I bought a good heavy yoke, with airplane feel. I flew V1 cuts, SE ILS, Steep turns, visual apps, 2 ENG ILS. I got very good on the FD. Check out the Saitek yoke, with throttle, for $ 160.00. MS flight sim 10 for $ 30 on ebay. Well worth the money.

You only need 25 hours kilt... start calling recruiters... someone will hire ya..

You'll find that regionals in general are going to be a crap sandwich compared to mainline QOL, although UAL did have it pretty rough after BK.

As a DEC, you'd spend years on reserve, depending on which base you want to live in.

But it might be worth a shot if you're bored, want some beer money, and have the flexibility to live a reserve/junior line-holder lifestyle for five years.

But do detailed research on the airline/base in question... don't want to get stuck doing constant standups/redeyes, if that happens to be the deal.