I've got the reverse of this situation. Flew for most of my 20 years and never busted a checkride until my ATP check 2 months prior to retirement. Bust was clean and entirely my fault, and not something likely to happen again. That said, what kind of penalty lap am I looking at? Friend told me to anticipate 3 to 7 years before a major will bite, if at all. Swinging gear at regional now, and curious how to manage expectations going forward.

I would contact Cage Consulting or Judy Tarver, they have dealt with 1000's of applicants. They will also help you "package" the failure if/when asked about it.

So your ATP was done GA in a light twin? Not at a regional?

If that's your only bust I'd think you'd be fine in 2-3 years. Clean mil before, clean regional after, they're not going to fixate on that IMO.

seriously, you couldn’t wait 2 months for the regional to pay for it?

Depends on your total time, etc. But if I were you I’d be putting out apps as soon as you have 500 hrs of 121 time.

I hadn't known anyone who went from fixed wing military to a regional, except those coming off a non flying tour to retirement. A majority of military fixed wing pay for their own ATP and head to a major at the 11 year mark. The pay cut from from an 11 year mil pilot to regional FO is too drastic. Those without a strong enough record to get hired stay in or leave aviation altogether.

uhhh....



They must be paying majors a whole lot more now than when I was in...

SO what did your ATP attempt set you back? Dollar wise I mean, the career wise is obvious...

My last FO was a tanker and gulfstream Air Force pilot who spent a little under 2 years at a regional. Left the AF after a flying tour. There are a lot of mil fixed wing guys who go to regionals, even ones coming off flying tours.

If for no other reason than it's a predictable paycheck and bennies without much uncertainty about when you'll get called, swimming in the pool, etc.

Going to the regionals out of the military is usually only done if you can’t get a call from one of the majors and you don’t want to pursue a non-flying career as plan b. Sure it’s nice to get some 121 stink in a relatively low threat environment and even a free ATP. However, the advantages of jumping directly are huge. I sank around ten grand into 73 type/ATP check (I was on a tight timeline) and it paid off in spades for me. I will never actually fly a 73, but feel like the “gamble” paid off. Also, training at a major is hardly high threat. They aren’t looking to spoon feed you, but they also aren’t looking to hook you.

There is nothing wrong with the regionals, except it means you aren’t on the seniority list that you want to be on when the industry hits a bump. It’s possible guys at the regional level are facing a significant delay getting on at a major due to Covid19 economic effects. I would be unhappy if I had jumped to a regional to get “unnecessary” experience only to face what is going on today. Hopefully, this blows over quickly and the regional to major pipeline starts chugging rapidly along again.

Absolutely go to mainline directly if at all possible. But if it's not, and your goal is airlines, regionals are probably a better (quicker) path as opposed to other flying employment (GA, corporate, ISR, etc). Faster time building and more airline-preferred boxes to check.

If you're clearly competitive, get your ATP before you leave AD.

If you're clearly not competitive for the tier you want to be at, plan on regionals and let them pay for the ATP.

The grey area is how long do you wait for a call before heading off to regional class? Probably safer to go sooner if in doubt.