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.

Barring some kind of national catastrophe, the hiring at the regional level isn't slowing down anytime soon. I wouldn't worry too much about that part. There is a pretty big gap in regional airlines' QoL and pay right now though. Do your homework on the airlines you apply/interview with, and understand that the interviewers/recruiters themselves usually aren't a great source of unbiased information.

Believe it or not, with 1400 hours and a few hours to get recurrent, you'll be more than qualified to get on with just about any regional. Don't waste hundreds of thousands of dollars flying tons of hours before applying. Get your logbooks ready, study up, fly a few hours to get up to speed, then apply. You'll get an offer pretty quick.
Best wishes on getting back in the saddle.

My experience
 

I got on with Endeavor after being on the sidelines driving a semi for almost five years. I went to the local airport and flew around in a 172 for 6 hours, got a BFR/IPC signoff from an instructor and interviewed in December. I have 4000 hours total time, 3 Jet type ratings, and 5 years of 121 flying before my flying break though, so that may have made a difference. 24 days till I start class!!

Passing the MEI add on will probably help offset the lack of hours in the last 6/12 months.

Whatever you do, stay away from Mesa. EDV and Envoy are good choices if you can get in the door. I know EDV is being the most picky right now since they've gotten slammed with apps. Envoy is also being picky right now and putting a cap on new hires that aren't at least close to being CA qualified. But as one guy said, apply early and often to both and don't be afraid to reach out to a recruiter at both places. There are a lot of rumors flying around at the moment that Republic may open an IAH base in the future, but at this point those are just rumors. If it ends up happening, they would be an extremely viable option. Good news is that wherever you end up, you should have options for commuting out of IAH. Good luck.

Congratulations on getting on with EDV! Since my flying break was almost as long as yours and I have far fewer hours and no 121 exp, I’m sure it limits me a little more than yourself. My plan is to get my MEI and start taking students to knock some of the rust off so I don’t make a fool of myself come interview and training time.

Thank you all for your input. It has been very helpful and I hope to join you all soon.

It will come back quick. Good luck to you. In the current enviroment I dont think you can go wrong no matter where you end up. I will parrot what many others say frequently on this forum. Stay away from Mesa. They pretty much screwed my career and made me hate flying. That place was miserable to work for. Took me five years to realize I should give it another shot with a better airline.

I don’t think you need to spend any kind of time getting ratings to get current, plus I would imagine the students would prefer someone with more experience! Just go to a local flight sim and do a couple of approaches to get your scan back, that’s all you need for airline training. There’s very little stick and rudder flying involved with pt121 training, you just need to be able to fly the panel. When you get in the sim all you’ll do is IFR approaches over and over with very little head outside stuff. Of course once you get out on the line it will be a steep learning curve but your focus should be on passing class.

Hi. I am in the same boat looking if to get back. Why do you not recommend ExpressJet? I have heard that from another pilot but no real reason given

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.

They have a great culture from what I hear but they're losing flying and shrinking. You'll probably never see an upgrade there.

where do you live? You've only got five years left and this sounds like a boredom killer. Pick Literally whichever regional is either based at home or has the easiest commute. 98% of the regional drama you can just blow off because why do you care? Lol, it's not like it's going to effect getting a mainline job.