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!

 

I would not pigeon hole myself to D225. Get as qualified as you can overall. When off the street hiring resumes being a mil pilot who already works at American/Delta/United would be very strong app. If hiring does not resume at SWA in a "few more years" you probably don't want to come here anyways.

And if it doesn't work out, you have a great job already, rather than sitting there unqualified.

 

You make an excellent point and obviously "what if" scenarios this far out are super tricky. I suppose I'm assuming that my projected flight experience won't be enough for other legacies and has me thinking more in terms of WN being a reach goal rather than a floor. No way to really know, of course. It'd probably help a lot if I didn't have like eight family members trying to sign me up to live in DFW for the rest of time. Anyway, thanks!

 

Agree with all of this. I would make myself as marketable as possible while you have the time now and worry about where you end up when the time comes. It is impossible to know what the hiring picture will look like in three years. Best of luck and regardless of what happens, you should be easily hirable virtually anywhere when you ready.

 

This is great advice.

 

A couple years at skywest would make you an attractive candidate anywhere so don't tie yourself to ANY training contracts or payback programs unless you have no other options. Apply everywhere, take every single offer that's better than what you already have, even if it's not where you intend to stay long-term.
If your "temp" job ends up at United and you don't jump ship after a few years, perhaps you'd be better off just moving to a base with them. Regardless of where your next offer comes from and what your final destination target is, don't turn down "better" while waiting for "best". You might find that an airline that's currently 3-4 on your list is your happy place and you'll quit updating your apps.
I think the big thing is don't ever sign a training contract or payback commitment unless you are no-kidding down to your last option between the contract or switching careers entirely. An awful lot of us have options and don't need to sign training commitments, but we get tunnel vision and feel pressured to sign just to get a crappy job we plan on leaving as soon as possible anyhow. That's a terrible way to manage your career unless you truly have zero other ways to progress. Like you've busted a dozen checkrides and have a felony conviction or three on your record, that kind of "no options" future.

 

OP - be careful with Skywest. They currently have a contract that locks you into flying 1,600 PIC for them or you have to pay back 100% of your training costs. Around $40k.

"We are working to finalize your training class date and want to let you know about a new opportunity that may allow you to start your SkyWest career sooner. Beginning today you are eligible for the SkyWest first officer advancement agreement. Through this agreement, you will gain access to the earliest possible class date to become a SkyWest first officer.

To move to the front of the line, your only commitment is to fly with SkyWest for at least 1,600 hours PIC OR to accept a pilot position at SkyWest partners Delta or United. If you're unable to meet that commitment, you'd need to repay our investment in your type ratings.

Just reply to this email to let us know you are interested and we'll send you the agreement.

 

Wow I didn't know that, important info. It looks like the commitment isn't absolutely required unless you want to get the earliest possible training date though.

 

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.

 

Thanks to all for the excellent advice! Like virtually anyone else, I'd also prefer to skip the multi-year audition at a place I don't intend to stay. Particularly since I won't have 30 years of runway like some of the folks that made it in during the last wave. That said, I'd feel like a much stronger candidate if I had a few hundred more hours, but not much I can do about that now.

Regardless, thank you all again! If any of you SWA folks are interested in sending recommendations in a few years, I'm certainly not above reciprocating with eternal gratitude and copious amounts of your beverage of choice!