Timing of Military Retirement

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Quote: I'd like to write the letters of rec for those who have offered to sign one for me. Is there a good source for some sample?
BK, UAL's HMFIC of hiring has said it, but it's NOT JUST UAL.

With shift to an HR driven process and and a "we hire employees NOT pilots" performance based targted selection process, the emphasis of the letter should me more about you and your character. Not how you can yank and bank the **** out of an airplane, not what a "**** hot" stick you are, etc.

What did you do as a leader to help those around you? What did you contribute to your coworkers? Were you always reliable and dependable when tasked? Did you handle possible adverse circumstance with stride and remain positive? Will you sexually harass the flight attendants?
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Something else to consider about looking for work at a regional vs. staying current in a 172:

A common theme among briefers at WAI was that they realize someone on active duty generally has little control over how often they fly. Getting non-vol'd to staff, or Congress deciding not to fund the damn military is beyond our sphere of influence. However, once you are retired or separated from the military, you once again can decide how and what you fly. So being 4 months from retirement and non-current for the last 16 months may be glossed over. On the other hand, being 6 months out of the military and not having flown anything in the last year may be perceived as a lack of motivation. And as others have said, a regional is not the only place to earn a living flying complex aircraft while you wait for the phone call.
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On a somewhat related note, lets say you're going to a regional to get current, get 121 time, improve your resume, whatever the reason. From reading the forum, it seems that there are some regionals more highly regarded than others. If there was a regional based in your home town that was not as highly regarded as some of the others, would you advise applying there (probably I imagine) or should you go to one of the "better" ones that would require a commute?
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Quote: On a somewhat related note, lets say you're going to a regional to get current, get 121 time, improve your resume, whatever the reason. From reading the forum, it seems that there are some regionals more highly regarded than others. If there was a regional based in your home town that was not as highly regarded as some of the others, would you advise applying there (probably I imagine) or should you go to one of the "better" ones that would require a commute?
It's just my opinion, so take it FWIW. Which means it's worth what you paid for it here

But a mill guy going to (insert crappy regional here) for currency isn't the same as the RJ upgrade chasers. It's just not. I'm donning my flamesuit as I post this. But I'm just saying, it's NOT the same.

Just brace yourself for when you realize why that regional may not be held is higher (less low) esteem than others
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So you'd take the one that would put you home more over a "better" one with a commute?
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Quote: So you'd take the one that would put you home more over a "better" one with a commute?
YES!!!!! I've commuted for 15+ years, to multiple employers, it sucks. Takes years off your life, and is a complete soul sucking/life force destroying experience at a regional.
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Quote: So you'd take the one that would put you home more over a "better" one with a commute?
Yes, totally agree. Even a short, easy commute adds an extra layer of hassle that would be nice to not have.

Also agree with the advice to brace yourself for the suck, but realize that it is just a door you sort of need to go through (there are other options, but...) in order to get where you want to be.
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I live in Northern Virginia. 25 Minutes from both DCA & IAD. BWI is 1.5 hours away and Philly a little more than 2 hours. I think I'm in a sweet spot for the regionals. I count at least 6 that are based out of either IAD or DCA. I'm looking at all those based close to home.

However when I look at the Majors, it's not the same case. United is out of IAD and AA out of DCA. What are the odds of getting based near where you live? I assume pretty small. My family and I are not attached to Northern Virginia living. We are willing to move for a job with a major, but a regional not being our final stop that would take a little more convincing ($$).
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AA has a PHL base as well and Southwest is out of BWI. I believe you bid where you are based on seniority, so the odds would be whatever bases are junior at the time of hire.


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Quote: So you'd take the one that would put you home more over a "better" one with a commute?
Absolutely.

All regionals suck, a "better" regional isn't better than your military time. You are doing this for currency not a career, make it as painless as possible. Imagine how much it would suck to miss a trip at the regional because you couldn't commute, then have that held against you while applying at a major. Take one step forwards, 2 steps back.
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