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.

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.

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.

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.