I am curious on everyone's opinion about going to a regional after the military to bide their time until a they can get on with a major? I got out of active duty in 2010, and have been flying a little bit of part 91 corporate flight ops since then (about 10-15 hours per month). I have been applying for all the open major jobs that have been open, without a call from anyone. I accepted a job offer with XJT in hopes that some 121 experience with my military background will help get me a call from one of the majors. Just would like to hear from some folks who got out, went to a regional and successfully got on with a major afterwards.

Hey Pitts, are you still in the Guard/Reserve? After troughing for about 9 months with no calls from airlines and not much flying I threw apps in with a few regionals. Almost immediately, I was called by SkyWest and Eagle. Problem was, I could make about three times the money and pick my days off as a reservist. I ended up declining the interviews and as luck would have it, was called by my current 121 employer shortly thereafter. If you really need the hours then I don't think spending some time at a regional could hurt. However, you'll have to ask yourself if a major reduction in your quality of life for shockingly low pay is worth it. Just my $.02 and as always YMMV.

Yes, it will definitely help, there's no doubt about that...121 time and lots of it.


The question is do you personally need do it? That depends on the amount and type of military time, your recency, and your connections.

2-3 years with no calls might indicate you need to go that route.

2200TT, 1800 Fighter, IP, FE, ATP, traditional guardsman, internal recs, and I'm doing some regional time. I didn't get the United email and haven't heard from US Airways. I can't think of anything else that will enhance my resume.

Nope, I got out completely in 2010. Tried getting into the unit where I live but was not related to anyone in the unit, plus they are losing their airplanes anyways.

I only have about 4000TT, most of it multi and turbine time. 2600 of my time was from the USAF. I don't need the total time but what I do need is more currency time flying turbines as I only have about 150 hours in the last year. I lost my good deal corporate job because they decided to go Tango Uniform and sell both planes. I figured now would be a good time to get to the airlines. I am hoping some 121 experience will help. I know the pay sucks at the regionals, but financially it does not matter as I have other revenue streams that pay well.

However, not looking to make a career at the regionals, looking to get in and get out when something better comes along. I just want to know how it will be perceived from the majors being at a regional. I have internal recs from SWA, FedEx, UPS and United, with United being the only one hiring. No word from them yet but my resume was only hand walked in about 2 weeks ago.

I think it will help, it will show that you just went through a training program, you haven't gone stale, and you have drive.

Majors hire from regionals all the time. I doubt a major will look at you unfavorably for working at a regional. I think it will mainly be a hit to the ego, and feeling like you are taking a step in the wrong direction. I'm in the hiring pool for two regionals, but giving the stiff arm at the moment. Especially considering that I can make a years salary there in about two months of active duty pay.
At some of the various majors, I have heard stories about Chief pilots that had a real bug about getting 121 time. The only thing is I'm not sure how much weight they assign to 121 FO time.

A website to check out: Interline Travel and Pass Travel Information for airline employees - passrider.com - Interline Travel and Pass Travel Information for airline employees, retired airline employees and their families and friends. Think of it as a misery meter, and look at the commute to each of the possible domiciles. My biggest take away from an Interview at a regional is how bad a two leg commute sucks.

Pitts,
I retired (USAF) current in 2003 and got hired by Comair and flew the line there until I got my present dream job in 2006. Many people went straight from the military or -121 to my current employer though. If you are not getting interviews now I would recommend doing the regional thing. It has its downsides in pay and lifestyle but also remember that training is totally different in the airlines. Come prepared to each sim and you will do fine though.
Flying 8-900 hrs a year is great for currency but it is easy to become an autopilot cripple. Hand fly as much as legal and your Capt is comfortable with. You will then be able to ace the sim part of an interview.
As much as we learn in the military be ready to learn some more. Things like taking a plane full of passengers into a non tower ops airfield and long visual approaches are routine.
It will be difficult at times for many reasons but you will learn the industry and it will be extremely helpful when you do get on somewhere.

Forgive me, I'm just a lowly civilian. And it was expressed not too long ago that mil pilots DON'T like us lowly civilians contributing to these threads. ESPECIALLY if we have experience in the regionals. Through MORE THAN ONE HIRING CYLCE no less and have watched this happen MORE THAN ONE TIME.......

They will not care, PERIOD. But you DON'T have to take my word for it. Ask Rick (mil, but not a pilot) or ANY mil pilot that went regional before waiting on a call for a major. AGAIN, THEY WON'T CARE!!!! They KNOW the regional ISN'T the end game. The mil time makes you the known quantity for training/experience, NOTHING else matters except for the currency.

Especially if you express what you said. Job(s) went away, you weren't able to fly much, you wanted some 121 time/exposure, you needed the currency, etc etc etc.

The WORST you EVER may hear in an interview about it would probably be along these lines of "we see you worked at Joe Sh1t the Ragman's regional express carrier, what's it like there? Tell me about that job?"

It's usually just a personality test. It's similar to the TMMAT questions, make sure it's ALWAYS positive. Don't EVER speak ill of former employer. BOOM, done.

As DoubleD said. Don't take it for granted, show up prepared, be ready to learn, and it'll be EASY for you while you bide your short stint waiting for the call from whomever.

XJT, I for one do not think different about civilians, I was actually a corporate pilot before heading into the military so I see both sides of the fence. I am going to go to XJT to get some recency and hope for the best. If upgrades at the regionals were short like in the past, would not have an issue staying for a while, but 5-8 years to upgrade is a horrible and feel bad for the folks having to stick it out that long to get an upgrade. I will keep looking for another good corporate gig too.