Hello everyone. Long time lurker, first time poster. In two weeks I am going to spend a few days in the city where I am hoping to live to introduce myself to some prospective flight departments. I live on the other side of the country currently, so want to make the most of my visit. I have made some personal contacts at a few companies, but will be 'cold calling' some others. I am wondering if anyone has any advice. I don't really know what to expect, what the attitudes are about military guys, etc. I recently separated from the Air Force and have 2000 TT (almost all multi-engine turbine), 1300 turbine PIC, ATP, FCI medical.

Thanks in advance!

Use your personal contacts to establish the local culture, if you're looking at corporates. Do you have a bizjet type rating? Not essential at quality places, but helpful. Any AF experience that is relevant? WHMO? C-40 or 89th time? AF Flight standards? That sort of background trades well.

Where are you looking?

GF

Not to insult your intelligence, but be humble. Some corporate flight departments, or people within them, may be "intimidated" (for lack of a better term) by ex-mil pilots. A "these little jets look like fun" attitude won't work. Express your desire to learn a whole new side of aviation through corporate flight ops.

As an ex-mil (now corporate) guy myself, I can say I have learned a ton.

Work your contacts and expand your network. Good luck.

Where are you moving to? You never know who will PM you and take you to lunch, perhaps introduce you to people.

I fly corporate, and many department managers in a town know each other, there's also a lot of hangar sharing and so on.

Best of luck to you.

I'm looking in the Seattle area, I'll gladly welcome any PM's for lunch and a connection.....

If I knew people in Seattle I'd help you out. I don't know a soul up there. I'm a Northern CA guy.

Do we have any corporate or local 135 guys in Seattle?

2000 total time isn't very much, even with 1300 TPIC...did you Palace Chase?

That said, there is much more to one's experience than total time and I'm certain with humility you'll be able to communicate that to a prospective employer.

Good luck!

Thank you all very much for the advice and words of encouragement. I do acknowledge my flight time isn't exactly a world record and I will humbly explain what I was doing during my 2000 hours. Thanks again and fly safe.

Movinion,

For what its worth I was in your shoes two years ago. Left the Marines with about 1900 to 2000 hours and that included a tour as an Instructor Pilot. Most people will have no idea what 2000 hours in the military equates to and those who do will seek you out ahead of the competition.
The unfortunate thing is this; Insurance companies drive the show now. Additionally, if you want to fly for a flight department that is ARGUS rated you are double hosed. Nobody has found a way to break out what constitutes good flight time and what are just numbers on a page. I won't say hours don't mean anything but we have had some pretty experienced guys (meaning they had a lot of hours) that really struggled in the jet.
I can't advise you either way but I can tell you what I had to do. I left the military and got a job at a commuter airline. Take your pick...they will hire you. You will build up hours faster than anywhere else. I would also search out a reserve unit. If you can give this process a year you will be right in the neighborhood of 3000 hours.
In the meantime dust off your suit and start walking into flight departments. Get a bizjetjobs account and pay the annual fee. Look at the directory for flight departments in your area. Send resumes, emails, showup! Start making the connections. It will probably take a year to get your information circulating around the office. Corporate is a tight knit community. It takes a while to get peoples attention.
Chin up and best of luck!

Larry

I'm not looking to start a "my way was better than your way" internet bashfest...but I'm really interested for you to expound on this statement a bit.