I agree, no shame in a regional, so please don't misunderstand. With the large reduction, from my current salary, and my families financial commitments (think teenagers ), making that decision is a really difficult one. I'm at a time in my life where I'd like to not wipe out all of my families savings in just 18 months.

I have some fractional/135 companies interested and they do offer a much better salary, but I'm just not sure that would make sense? Is a fractional just not going to help push me to where I want to be within 6-8 months, based on the numbers I have? Again, am I being unrealistic?

A lot of folks say, "Go to a regional and you'll get picked up within 6 months," but I'm also not sure if that's really happening?

Your time is in the ballpark, but barely. What might be working against you is just one type (I assume), relatively low annual flight time, and also the the fact that presumably you have a non-flying civilian job.

That last is by no means a disqualifier, but it could make the airlines question why you're not "all in" on aviation. There are other folks out there who may appear to want it more. You're not too different than someone leaving AD at the ten year mark, but the airlines know why those guys waited ten years. In the case of a guard/reserve baby, they're not so sure. Non-aviation employment history makes very little difference to airline recruiters, it typically doesn't enhance your resume much.

Given a clean record, my observations indicate a very high probability of getting hired quickly if you do the regional thing. Also could try a higher-paying corporate gig, but try for somewhat heavier jet equipment and a type rating.

Hard to really give advice without knowing your current job/grade/budget/finances/etc, but I made the jump going from senior O3 pay to $19k first year at a regional, with 2 teenagers and a baby. Wife made a decent bit less than I did as an O3, but we were still under 6 figures combined. You can mil leave whenever your unit gives you orders to offset low pay/bad schedules. But it seems low regional pay isn’t as huge a deal these days, and will be more than made up for if it gets you a legacy job sooner.

Nowadays regionals are paying significantly more, with bonuses, and you can pick up mil trips/orders to make up a lot of the difference. Also, you can upgrade at 500 hours 121 SIC (so long as seniority can hold it) with your herc PIC time, and be a regional captain in 8-12 months if you end up getting stuck there. Not sure if you’ve hung out in the regional forums lately (I haven’t really) but I hear first year guys can make $65k at many. And for reference, if you’d done a regional 18 months ago, this year at a legacy you’d be making $150-$200k, plus PS + 16% of salary to your 401k. And the annual increase in longevity/seniority is all cumulative.

Fractionals/corporate won’t get you significantly more pay than regionals I wouldn’t think (maybe I’m wrong), and doesn’t check the 121 box. Doubt you'd get as many hours either.

I also wouldn't scoff LCCs/ULCCs depending on your commute, but would stay away from certain cargo companies unless you are targeting FDX/UPS.

121/jet type is big point item on app scoring algorithms from what I hear anecdotally for mil guys. Ditto for a decent amount of recency. I know several who get the type and get an interview before IOE at regionals. I know several low time fighter bros who were at 1500-2k not getting any love, went to a regional, and during ground school, during IOE, or after a couple months, end up getting the interview. Could be a coincidence. But that’s my $.02. Worth what you paid! Either way, good luck

Ya know, my wife earned crap as a resident. No one faults her for taking a short term pay cut (she was a military test pilot before that). Ask a military pilot to fly for a regional and they melt down.

Really? If so, then everyone leaving active duty at the 10 year point is *******ed. I don’t quite buy that, not in 2019 and beyond anyways. Is there something I’m missing here? (Not trying to be rude; honest question).

(Edit: I know he/she is a reservist, but I don’t see how that matters in this case)

Don't forget about the ACMI carriers as they're a great option as well. Many have home basing, don't pay half bad and have some pretty interesting flying. That said, I did the regional route and I am very happy I did. The short term pay cut, which wasn't all that bad when offset with mil pay, has paid itself back multiple times over.

I'm guessing that they are looking at the "whole person".

Plus: Mil wings, degree, and presumably responsible adult employment.

Minus: Relatively low time for mobility. What has this person been doing in his civilian time to further his aviation career progression?

Essentially a part-time pilot applying for a full-time job. And there are many full-time pilots applying for the same job.

That's just my guess, if I see one thing he could do to move the ball down the field quickly it would be fly full time. Even going on orders would probably help, if he gets the hours.

I'm pretty sure they'll call him as the retirements ramp up and he builds hours, just depends on how big of a hurry he's in, and how much major seniority he's willing to forfeit to avoid regionals, 135, etc.

Thank you everyone for the replies. Another question, my main target is Delta. With that being said what can I do to better my chances? Any recommendations in regards to app review? Also how bad is a sub 3.0 gpa hurt your app? I do have good reasoning behind it.

Don't limit yourself to DL, unless you have very hard geographic limitations.

The GPA can be explained away according to some folks, but you have to get the interview in order to have the opportunity to explain anything. Same with some other application criteria.

I would recommend having a mil buddy at DL (if you have one) send them an email to get your app scored. Make sure your app is in order, and don't do this if you're about to achieve some resume millstone... wait until you can claim it on the app.

I got the call from DAL with a sub 2.4 GPA (and the job), so it's not a show stopper. I have a mil fighter background though.