I was researching Higher Power today as I read the threads you posted, and I do have the GI Bill available to me with no better uses so that is certainly an option. I assume the ATP/737 type rating is a must have? The regionals certainly would not be beneath me as it looks like that just may be the lay of the land based on ending my career at a desk. Try to make myself as attractive as possible and be flexible to the realities as they develop.

If you're set on the regionals then many will pay for the ATP/CTP course during training.

You may want to consider throwing an application in for the overland ISR contractors, pay is much better and guys leave for the majors all the time after about 12 months on property.

Does anybody have any good info on this? I've heard a lot about non-current and/or lower time guys getting 121 experience at a regional then getting hired at a major. I haven't heard much about the ISR gigs being a good stepping stone.

I ask because I've got a lot of ISR and King Air experience.

IMHO, that's because it doesn't appear to be quite as good (from the major airlines' perspective, apparently).

It isn't bad, of course -- I know guys who've been hired directly to the legacies from the ISR companies. The numbers, however, from what I've observed, go to the guys who go to the regionals instead.

I know numerous military guys who've gone to the regionals and, after 6 months to 18 months, are off to a legacy. I also know a good number of guys flying ISR for their 2nd year and still don't have a call. I even know a guy who did a year doing ISR, heard nothing, came back to the states, and as soon as he posted to his app that he'd completed training at a regional, he got a call from both UAL and DAL within weeks of one another.

All of that is purely anecdotal, of course, but I spent the last two years or so contemplating the same question (ISR vs regional), and the best answer for my circumstances was to go to the regionals.

I'm a Harrier guy and in the same boat as you. I'm about a year away from getting out and I've been flying a desk for the last 3 years. I'm planning on getting the multi-engine check in the box this year and continue to build my time. Luckily, I am able to afford an inexpensive aircraft to make this happen and I should have about a 1000TT by next year. I'm sure any worthy airline won't give two stinks about single engine piston time but its better than nothing. While I will put in apps to the Majors, I'm doubtful anything will come of it. So, the backup plan is to head to the local regional here in Virginia Beach, which will allow me to remain local until I have the hours I need. Along with that, I'm going to hit the reserves but I haven't really decided the exact location/squadron yet. Life won't be easy for a while but i'm looking forward to a deployment free life.

Hacker pretty much nailed what I see.

Some ISR guys do get called. About 95% of the guys I see go the regionals get called within 18 months.

ISR pays better. You can also get shot. You will be living in a craphole for a while.

Regionals pay less. Your family does get pass perks, however. You also build some credibility with that guy interviewing you who was never in the military.

I wish you could go VFR direct to your first choice, and some of you will...but "this is the profession we have chosen...." Sometimes--you gotta find a place to duck and cover for a while.

USMCF18,

1.5 years out of currency isn't too bad but if you're a CFI you can stay current that way. Go get your mil equivalency for CFI at the FSDO if you can.

That's how I am staying current, but then again, don't use me as an example. I haven't been hired anywhere yet. I think you'll be fine.

When I went back to United after returning from Mil Leave the hiring department came in and gave us an update… at that time (almost 2 years ago) they said 200 hours in last year was what they considered "remaining current"… didn't care really what type aircraft. Not sure if that has changed.

Even in a fleet squadron I wouldn't see 200 hours most years. Those 1.3's just don't add up very quickly! I will look at the Mil equivalency piece too, it certainly cannot hurt.

From my experience it's actually the opposite. If it's a legacy or FedEx the person interviewing will have been in the military.
Ymmv.