Cold Start

I made a bad decision and need some advice. I was hired as an FO for a regional last summer, resigned after only 4 weeks of training, and now I wish I would have stuck it out! I was doing fine but didn’t get to the real tough sim training. This was going to be my second career. I made the quick decision to resign because I felt swamped, a little behind, and decided it was too much of a lifestyle change. I should have taken time to get advice from the instructors before resigning. So, with a short email, I thanked the company for the wonderful opportunity and told them I had decided the pilot life wasn’t for me. They accepted my resignation, so they didn’t get the customary two weeks’ notice.

I’m 55 and work a full time none flying job. I hope I don’t fall in the category that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks! My current career is good (a little boring), but after much thought and soul searching, I realize I still want a second career as an airline pilot even if it’s a short career because of my age. The only flying professional experience I have is as a part time CFI / CFII. I was never a full-time pilot for pay and didn’t really comprehend the life of a full-time regional pilot until sitting class. I have given much thought to this and now have a much clearer understanding of the challenges. I haven’t flown in 8 months now.

I would greatly appreciate any advice on options to help me get back up on the horse.

I would like to fly for the same company I resigned, but they probably won’t want to spend any more money on me. I think the best way to earn my way back to a regional, if possible, would be to try to get hired in a demanding flying job like multi-engine cargo or charter work for a year or two. That would give me some great experience, show I can do a tough flying job, but if I did that, I probably wouldn't go to a regional. Another option is going back to part time flight instruction, but I would feel obligated to working at least a year. This would be much better financially and less disruptive because I can keep my full-time job, but it doesn’t show career progression. Maybe I can just apply in six months and see what happens. I prefer to ultimately work out of the DC area since that’s where family is located. I’m hopeful that after the FO surplus is corrected, a regional would give me another shot. Any ideas for me?

saltbae

JetLinx is hiring if you want charter. FlexJet too - I would go that route if you really want a jet job right now

rickair7777

It's normal to feel pressure during your first 121 training event, for anyone. Few backgrounds directly translate to that, just because you may have been good at another demanding profession doesn't mean aviation will be easy.

At your age, age is a challenge, mainly the rote memorization aspect but also the multi-tasking. Even experienced pros will notice it after about age 45-ish. But plenty of folks get it done, you just have to expect that you'll need more study/practice time.

Also important to show up healthy: good diet, cardio exercise, and healthy lifestyle will help your mental performance (and stamina if you get an odd sim time). Omega-3 foods work for mental performance, eat some daily 1-2 months prior to and during a training event. Also brain games like lumosity, or even games/puzzles help. Video games will help your multi-tasking. Minimize the booze until after training, just because a 25-year old can do it doesn't mean you can.

If the first airline had domiciles which work for you I'd start there... if you can explain it right they might buy it that you're more motivated and have better perspective now. Worst they can say is no.

121 regionals are in the business of getting all-comers on-line, including retreads and low-timers. That's probably your best bet, turbine 135 training might actually be more challenging to complete, that's kind of a crapshoot. If you're looking for an intermediate step, maybe piston 135? But make sure you understand what the training entails.

ninerdriver

First things first... get proficient again. Not just current, but proficient. You won't make it through any training program if you have eight months of rust on your IFR procedures and general subjects.

Cold Start

Everyone's advice is exactly what I was looking for and gives me some hope too! FLEX Jets might be a good option for someone like me. I thought they went with folks with much more experience, but looking at their website, I meet their min requirements. I was surprised to see they have a dispatch that looks like a Part 121 operation providing flight planning, weather, etc. They even said if the flight is scheduled so you miss a meal, one will be waiting for you in the plane. I will have to do a deeper look at them. For some reason, I'm pulled towards Part 121 ops. I like the big support system the more rigid structure. Niner, you're absolutely right about getting proficient! It's amazing how fast time fly's and I'm sure there's plenty of rust. I will get back to work on the instruments! Whatever way I go, I will definitely do a better job preparing ahead of time.

UsernameTakennn

Know 90-100% of all callouts, triggers, flows, systems BEFORE the first day of indoc, and you will breeze through literally any airline training program. Thats the secret. If you dont know 90-100% of everything BEFORE the first day of class reading the study stuff they sent out prior to indoc, dont bother coming to class.

If you want a little added stress, you could get away with knowing 40-50% of the callouts, triggers, flows, systems.

I wouldn't go in knowing absolutely nothing, or less than 40% of the material.

Basically, as I said before, knowing the vast majority of the stuff before hand will give you a big boost. The classroom and sims is not the time to learn callouts, systems, etc. The classroom and sims is more to reinforce what you already came in prepared with.

Thatsapproved

I don’t know if hammering the systems before indoc, BUT I’d say 100% of flows, triggers, call outs, and memory items for sure. My first regional systems was 9-5pm then small study groups of 2-3 6-9pm. Beers an hour after that

JulesWinfield

I doubt your resignation will have much of an effect. Start sending out resumes and applications and expect to be asked why you resigned on your last job at the interview. Practice your story a bit and you’ll be fine. Good luck.

Diverb

is this material sent to you before class?

ImSoSuss

Normally in the past FO hiring market your resignation may only have been in issue if you tried to reapply at that same airline. But others would have snatched you up. Unfortunately the hiring market on the FO side has become much more competitive. Not sure if you have been following, but some regionals put a pause on zero Part 121 hour new hire FOs while others have drastically reduced class frequency and size of their classes. With your history it may cause your application to go to the bottom of the pile in the selection process. But then again it never hurts to apply.