Getting back into the Game
 

I’ve been out of the flying game for 4 years and am wanting to get back into it. I have been working as a documentation and training manager and operations supervisor in the oil and gas industry and have recently started picking up flight instructing to get some currency back. I have around 1400 hours and almost qualify for a restricted ATP (obtainaining my multi time now/MEI) I have a CFI/II and multi commercial.

One of my question for you all is how much weight, if any, does non flying experience hold on a regional airline application. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

How important is recency to the regionals? Should I wait to apply until I have the restricted ATP mins met (my remaining multi time) or should I apply right away? Should I instruct for more time to build more recency or does it matter.

I know this is a lot of questions and appreciate any help.

the ability to breath is all the experience you need except maybe Endeavor right now

All the better regionals value recency of experience. For example Envoy wants to see 150+ hours in the last 6months and more yet, currently employed as a pilot.

The Gojetz/TSA's/pukeair's.. not sure, maybe not.

That’s encouraging! In your opinion, does it help to acquire some recency and my remaining multi-time, or start applying right away?

I was thinking it was necessary to have some recency so I am back to flight instructing and trying to get my MEI. Do you think I should be back at around the 150hr mark before applying? Or apply early in anticipation of picking more hours up before any interviews?

Apply early and often. Do you have a shortlist of companies you want to work for? About half of them will probably hire you on the spot at this point.

Although unlikely, endeavor and envoy up top. After that I’d was thinking skywest, expressjet, republic, compass. The possible Houston base with Mesa is attractive (I live 20 mins from IAH), but apparently their rep isn’t great.

Definitely be sure to do your research. You could probably get on easily at any of those except endeavor. I would *not* go to expressjet though.

You need a little recency of experience just so you don't struggle in training. You do NOT want a PRIA failure just because you decided to give it a try without hardly flying at all for the past 4 years. That could kill your hope of going to a major even in the current hiring environment. 150 hours might be a little overkill though. 75-100 with some instrument refresher in there should be fine in my opinion, but I don't know you or how proficient you are right now.

You can't work for a part 121 airline unless you have at least an R-ATP though. You can probably get 25 hours in the sim with the company you choose, but you'll need everything except those 25 hours before you start training. You can always apply and interview beforehand though. I interviewed with another candidate who was still over 150 hours away from being qualified.

Endeavor and Republic are the places to go these days, especially if you expect to be there for awhile and you aren't just looking for a fat signing bonus before going to a major in a few months.

Edit: That said, if you have a family and aren't willing to move, it's probably worth a good chunk of change to find an airline with a base near where you live, that's junior enough that you can get there in a reasonable amount of time. Commuting to reserve is not so great.

I appreciate your detail here. I know I need to be somewhat recent, and this is why I’ve decided to get my MEI/25 multi plus start taking students again to help prep for the interviews and training. The 25 multi hours will be no problem obtaining and I should have shortly.

I just wanted to apply early enough that these hirings don’t start to settle down on me while I’m trying to get current. Im just trying to find that happy middle between applying quickly and being current enough to be proficient in regional training.