Airline Pilot Central Forums

Airline Pilot Central Forums (https://www.airlinepilotforums.com/)
-   Regional (https://www.airlinepilotforums.com/regional/)
-   -   Street Captain Regionals (https://www.airlinepilotforums.com/regional/92259-street-captain-regionals.html)

knobcrk 12-18-2015 07:14 AM


Originally Posted by Adlerdriver (Post 2030122)
Hopefully your class is with a major airline. Go over to the major section of this forum and you'll find it's pretty rare to stumble on to a thread with these kinds of stupid blanket statements about mil guys.

That's because most guys coming out of the military have some common sense and apply it. If they've been flying single seat, they realize the crew coordination is going to be different. Since they still had crew coordination between aircraft and were highly reliant on that both during mission planning and actual flying, they usually adapt very well. Also, since the military operates a ton of crew aircraft, some pilots come out of the service quite familiar with a 2 or more person crew.

Finally, since most military guys bypass the regionals completely, the small number that these regional guys end up working with may be either problem children that couldn't get a recommendation or arrive with a chip on their shoulder. Either way, they're the exception to the rule, though you wouldn't think so listening to these guys. My guess is for every military guy who shows up and fulfills these bad stereotypes, there's an insecure civilian pilot whose looking for problems where there aren't, possibly washed out or never had a chance at a mil spot and is just happy to have a chance to criticize or validate himself. Most won't be that way, of course.

There are some new things to learn about company procedures and large civilian airports, new regs that now apply plus of course, the aircraft you're assigned to. Steep learning curve is all a matter of opinion, but it's not rocket science and not an issue for most guys who apply themselves. It's definitely easier than any military training you've done. So, you show up ready to learn and apply the same work ethic you have so far in your career. Keep an open mind, seek and take advice and be a team player. If you do that, things will work themselves out (even if you've never talked to ramp control or flown an RNAV arrival :rolleyes:). Good luck.

I agree with you "the steep learning curve " comment was very exaggerated. I'm totally for military guys and have 0 issues with them, however they do tend to stand out more than your average civ regional new hire. I think that's why we have these discussions from time to time. What I mean by that is either they obviously are new to flying certain concepts that civ guys already know but have good attitudes about learning them, or they are really really bad to the point where it makes you wonder how they even flew a military jet. There's no in between. Civ guys tend to be more low key and predictable. It's all about your attitude at the airlines, check your ego at the door and you will be fine. Like you said, the ones that were bad obviously had a chip on their shoulder. Probably because they're at a regional!

Czech Airman 12-18-2015 07:24 AM


Originally Posted by Turtledriver (Post 2029952)
1600 hours and no ATP, and you are ready to jump in the left seat.
I want some of that stuff you are smoking.

He's military.

knobcrk 12-18-2015 07:35 AM


Originally Posted by pete2800 (Post 2030073)
I'm going to go ahead and make the bold statement that legacy airlines are probably smarter than your average collection of internet forum posters.

Probably. I wasn't trying to make a negative statement. If I had my own airline I'd hire a fighter pilot before a regional prop guy too eventhough I know the regional guy has better relative experience in driving a plane from A to B.

Czech Airman 12-18-2015 07:36 AM


Originally Posted by knobcrk (Post 2030068)
Yet they are first choice for the majors.

Because ERAU and UND grads have even bigger egos than mil dudes.

iFlyRC 12-18-2015 08:35 AM


Originally Posted by knobcrk (Post 2030224)
Probably. I wasn't trying to make a negative statement. If I had my own airline I'd hire a fighter pilot before a regional prop guy too eventhough I know the regional guy has better relative experience in driving a plane from A to B.

I wouldn't, knowing full well when they had 500 hours of 121 experience, they are going to Delta. A civi will give me at least a year

atpcliff 12-18-2015 10:06 AM

Check into Atlas Air. We love military guys like you.

Feel free to PM me...

BobJenkins 12-18-2015 11:14 AM

You DO realize that the majority of military pilots, particularly AF guys, have been doing CRM for a very long time in dual cockpits? (Excepting fighter guys and some helos, of course)

One of the main reasons the majors love military pilots is that they work very well in high-stress, dual-pilot situations without giving it a second thought.



Originally Posted by knobcrk (Post 2030069)
Exactly. I've flown with military guys and they literally fly that right seat single pilot. You can tell a thousand things are going on in their brain they just can't do them because it's not single pilot anymore, it's a crew environment. Just take a deep breath and let the airline operation happen instead of you trying to make it happen. If that makes any sense.


BigDaddyZ 12-18-2015 12:27 PM


Originally Posted by Otterbox (Post 2030149)
As time goes on, you're likely going to see more military guys flying in the regionals thanks to increased service commitment time, and career diversification tours taking many of them out of the cockpits for their final 2-3 years of service. This has been a big trend with Navy Maritime pilots lately, and some of the AF Heavy crowd.

This is the box I ended up in. It was a great experience but I took a hit on hours by not getting another flying tour. I'm fine flying regionals for a bit since I have supplemental income. I just missing flying/aviation.

Adlerdriver 12-18-2015 12:42 PM


Originally Posted by BobJenkins (Post 2030405)
You DO realize that the majority of military pilots, particularly AF guys, have been doing CRM for a very long time in dual cockpits?

Of course he (and others) realize it. They just prefer to parrot the standard stereotype and apply it to everyone rather than the more realistic minority because it suits their narrative.

Future Cpt Kirk 12-18-2015 12:54 PM

Hey Big Daddy (don't think I ever would have thought I'd type or say that anywhere),

I'm an FO at an east coast based regional that has a home base within driving distance from you in Maryland. We're growing fast and hiring. Could be a good place to come spend some time learning the 121 environment while gaining experience. Currently upgrade times are fast. As soon as you have 1000 hours, you'll upgrade... If you feel you are ready.

I also am a new hire (have been on the line for about four months now), so training is still relatively fresh in my mind. Would be happy to answer any questions you may have about what the training process is like at the regionals. I'm familiar with several of the other popular regionals as well, as I have friends at various companies.

Feel free to email me... [email protected]

Good luck.

Mike


All times are GMT -8. The time now is 04:51 PM.


Website Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands