I lost my medical in 2011 and have not flown since other than some simulator time in 2013. I hope to get a special issuance class I by years end. Currently overseas in a boring desk job that pays the bills.

I will defintely get some simulator currency but not sure how the airlines look at someone who hasn't flown in almost 5 years, even with some recent simulator time. Direct entry Capt requirements overseas need time in type within the last 12-18 months.

My experience is FAR 135/121 and foreign airline with 13,000TT and 3400 PIC including FAR 121 PIC. Master's degree, military (non-flying) with no incidents or violations. I am 54.

What are my chances? I know the regionals are hiring but I just cant do the $28/hr job gig with a family to support unless it's only for a very very short period of time.

Thanks!

I think your chances are good. I would highly recommend making sure your savings are in order, and then going to the regionals to get current. Once you get 200+ hrs of currency start networking, attending job fairs, etc.


Not sure how all the majors view currency, but at Blue currency is a fairly big deal.


Good luck!

You'd have no trouble getting on with just about any Supplemental 121 cargo carrier if the regionals don't appeal to you. You might even qualify as a street Captain with some outfits.

Apply to the legacies/Majors and see what happens.

Sounds like you'd be qualified and a good fit just about anywhere. Best of luck getting your medical back!

Sounds like a plan. Thanks for the info and the support!

I know someone that was in a similar situation as you (minus the losing medical part). He's ex mil and didn't fly the last few years before he retired, he did the regional dance for 6 months and got a call from a Legacy pretty quick.

On another side note, Atlas has been known to hire guys with your type of experience that aren't current. They're a big mystery though, some guys get the call the next day, others get the call a year later.

Good Luck.

And some never get the call, at the time I was current and flying the same type they were adding to their fleet...Hugh mystery for sure!

Glad I didn't get the call as I'm in a better place now.

Good luck.

Oh I know, I've met guys with years of ACMI experience as CA that either didn't get the call, or it took over a year.

Mind sharing what greener pastures you found?

I asked the following question to the Delta Airlines hiring department. Also, I have not flown in an aircraft for the last three years.

Question:
“I've got a question the representative from Airline Apps could not definitively answer. I'm a Simulator Instructor Pilot. Part of my duties includes sitting in the seat in support of Instructor Upgrades and CSO (Navigator) training to include full mission profiles accomplishing tactical events. We fly in Level "D" simulators here. Can I use the time while in the seat to update my time for date last flown? If not, would flying in a single engine civilian aircraft meet this criteria? Thank you for your time.”


Answer:
Unfortunately, you may not log any simulator time as a substitute for flight time. And, although you may log flight time in single engine light aircraft, we do not consider that to be the type of recency that we believe is valuable. We are very lenient regarding recency for our former military pilots who are leaving active duty but it appears that you have not flown a turbine powered airplane since June, 2012 when you retired. My best suggestion is to seek employment with one of the various regional airlines and spend 6-12 months flying for them so that you regain your turbine powered flight recency. This should make you eligible for consideration by all of the major airlines including Delta Air Lines.

Although not the answer I was looking for, I was very appreciative to get a straight answer. Getting recurrent in some type of turbine aircraft is the best solution.

Hope this helps.

Best of luck!