Focus on D225?
11-10-2024 | 07:42 AM
#11
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With a few more years before retirement, get the ATP as soon as you can. I would use the G.I. Bill and get a type rating for the most common jet near your duty station. Do the ATP at the same time of the type rating. Citation and Beech Jet are pretty universal across the country and are good types to have. Use the time you have remaining on active duty to fly as a contract pilot as much as you can. Moonlighting on the side is worth the effort.
If a local operator has the aircraft that you could get typed in, they could use a third-party to get you placed with them through Skillbridge. You might need to sell them on the idea but it's generally a win-win for you and the operator.
11-11-2024 | 08:01 AM
#12
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New Hire
Joined: Aug 2022
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I've thought about this route and I should probably look more into it, honestly. I'll almost certainly retire from overseas and I'm not sure if skillbridge will allow me to PCS back to the states before starting the program, but it's probably well worth it if I can. As long as the kids dont eat all my GI bill for a type rating before then, that is.
11-11-2024 | 10:57 AM
#13
On Reserve
Joined: Jun 2017
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11-11-2024 | 03:32 PM
#14
More Cowbell!!!
Joined: Nov 2011
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From: Spreading the LUV from the "Write" seat!!!
I've thought about this route and I should probably look more into it, honestly. I'll almost certainly retire from overseas and I'm not sure if skillbridge will allow me to PCS back to the states before starting the program, but it's probably well worth it if I can. As long as the kids dont eat all my GI bill for a type rating before then, that is.
12-09-2024 | 09:14 PM
#16
doin time
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 439
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From: RJ Left
I'm an active duty Army guy who will hang on for a few more years before retiring. I'm currently at ~1,250TT and ~450FW (all ME turbine) and can resonably expect about 300 to 400 more FW hours before I hang it up. I knocked out the ATP-CTP and written last summer, but won't be able to do the ATP checkride for another couple years due to assignment changes.
Soutwest is my target airline and I wonder if the hive mind here can provide any advice as to whether or not it might be more advantageous to knock out as many things as I can while on active duty, or if it might be smart to hold off on the ATP check so I would still qualify for D225 when I do retire.
Obviously, hiring three or so years from now is impossible to predict, but since I keep seeing how D225 cadets are the only ones moving through the pipeline, I'm starting to wonder if NOT having the full ATP might give me a leg up when the time comes (weird as that might be).
Appreciate any thoughts and thanks!
Soutwest is my target airline and I wonder if the hive mind here can provide any advice as to whether or not it might be more advantageous to knock out as many things as I can while on active duty, or if it might be smart to hold off on the ATP check so I would still qualify for D225 when I do retire.
Obviously, hiring three or so years from now is impossible to predict, but since I keep seeing how D225 cadets are the only ones moving through the pipeline, I'm starting to wonder if NOT having the full ATP might give me a leg up when the time comes (weird as that might be).
Appreciate any thoughts and thanks!
You have to be within 24 months pre to 7 years post separation date.
You'll get your ATP at a SWA partner school (15hrs) then a Part 121 transition course. This all takes 2-3 months then you'll be eligible to fly the line at SWA as an FO.... once hiring starts of course.
12-15-2024 | 06:49 PM
#17
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Joined: Jun 2021
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You appear to qualify for the military path of D225. You need to be within 50hrs of ATP mins with more than 100hrs of FW Turbine.
You have to be within 24 months pre to 7 years post separation date.
You'll get your ATP at a SWA partner school (15hrs) then a Part 121 transition course. This all takes 2-3 months then you'll be eligible to fly the line at SWA as an FO.... once hiring starts of course.
You have to be within 24 months pre to 7 years post separation date.
You'll get your ATP at a SWA partner school (15hrs) then a Part 121 transition course. This all takes 2-3 months then you'll be eligible to fly the line at SWA as an FO.... once hiring starts of course.
I know a guy that retired a few months ago and is a fantastic guy, people loved flying with him, he finished with a few thousand hours in the C-17, and was a perfect fit for us. Southwest is who he really wanted to fly for, and he tried to go D225 before retiring but there was no pathway open for him to come here. He's headed to United now instead.
12-17-2024 | 03:01 AM
#18
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Joined: Nov 2013
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With a few more years before retirement, get the ATP as soon as you can. I would use the G.I. Bill and get a type rating for the most common jet near your duty station. Do the ATP at the same time of the type rating. Citation and Beech Jet are pretty universal across the country and are good types to have. Use the time you have remaining on active duty to fly as a contract pilot as much as you can. Moonlighting on the side is worth the effort.
If you’re flying army FW, set up your ATP ck ride the next time you go though flight safety. Pay cash if your command wants an additional commitment out of you. If SW is your goal you will get here faster by skipping the 225 route. If there’s no hiring in three years when you retire, there are bigger problems to worry about. The 225 route = 3 years until retirement + 2 years with a partner company. 5 years is quite a bit of seniority to miss out on when we are hiring. All your RTAG brothers will tell you seniority is everything on this side of your career.
Best of luck to you and thank you for your continued service.
If you’re flying army FW, set up your ATP ck ride the next time you go though flight safety. Pay cash if your command wants an additional commitment out of you. If SW is your goal you will get here faster by skipping the 225 route. If there’s no hiring in three years when you retire, there are bigger problems to worry about. The 225 route = 3 years until retirement + 2 years with a partner company. 5 years is quite a bit of seniority to miss out on when we are hiring. All your RTAG brothers will tell you seniority is everything on this side of your career.
Best of luck to you and thank you for your continued service.
01-04-2025 | 10:20 PM
#19
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New Hire
Joined: Aug 2022
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I think I get what you're saying and appreciate the feedback. I also take Coyote's point. I don't project to be much beyond unrestricted ATP mins and we're talking about the whole second half of my professional life. Would I prefer to waltz into a major on my existing credentials and bank for the next 20 years? Yes, I would. Is it worth it to drop $20k on a Citation X type that would come with a few hundred more hours of flight time and 135 experience for the resume? If that's what's needed, absolutely.
I also appreciate the earlier info about D225. That is right on. I'd love to target SWA exclusively, but the reality is I will have to cast a wider net. My plan is to focus on knocking out the ATP ride, building TPIC, and hopefully an IP upgrade before it's all said and done.
I also appreciate the earlier info about D225. That is right on. I'd love to target SWA exclusively, but the reality is I will have to cast a wider net. My plan is to focus on knocking out the ATP ride, building TPIC, and hopefully an IP upgrade before it's all said and done.
01-06-2025 | 01:33 PM
#20
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Joined: Oct 2011
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I've witnessed several of my mil buds get hired immediately after completing a 121 course, (interview offer within days of updating app).
Become an instructor/evaluator if possible and use a regional to show you're trainable. Don't sign a training contract. You may even get a signing bonus and it would be a $50k+ net advantage over buying a type.
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