CTP decision
 

For a variety of reasons I've been out of an Air Force cockpit for 4 years (all related to QoL for family, not related to interest in flying). I have about 3500 total jet time, about 3100 in a C-17. Debating whether I should go ahead and pay for CTP, written, practical on my own, or let a regional cover all that, then pay them back whatever I must if I get picked up by a major in, let's just say, one year. Bottom line, any chance a major hires me directly in next 8 months or so (without going to a regional at all)? I have been enjoying GA flying, but no other recency. Thanks!

The CTP is not going to help. You might want to look into getting the ATP. Airlines like pilots that have those. (What is a CTP?)

You have to do the CTP before you can get your ATP now. The CTP consists of:

30 Hours Classroom Instruction
4 Hours of Training in Fixed Based Simulator
6 Hours of Training in Full Motion Flight Simulator
Approximately 6 Total Training Days
Core Academic Course Subjects:

Aerodynamics
Meteorology / Weather
Air Carrier Operations
Leadership Development
Crew Resource Mangement (CRM)
Multi-Crew Environment Safety Operations

I would go to a regional that will pay for it (most all will now days) and if you leave early on, you can pay them back or what not.

Get current. For through a formal ATP course. Get up on the latest and greatest and get the civilian scoop on instrument flying. Learn Jepps, etc and get an IRC as well.

Get ATP.

Then consider options............

Sorry...I had never heard of that. I thought the OP had just made a typo.

Sure, all good, BUT...careful what you wish for. Regional flying will not be easy. Got weekend plans with the kiddos? Forget about it. Regionals fly on weekends. How’d you enjoy the long drones across the ocean in the C-17? We got that, without AR. Sorry...just sayin...I tell a lot of mil buddies that the airlines are not for them. Sounds like you need to be home more than away.

Good words! Thanks!

Tracking on all this. In my mind, airlines are a long game. Unless things go south in the world, in 5 years I should be with a major making 3 or 4 year FO pay. With a full mil retirement, at FO pay in a major, I will be able to turn down trips and easily make enough to achieve the QoL we desire. Am I missing something with that logic?

For someone with your experience flying for the regionals may feel like a kick in the teeth. It won’t be fun or family friendly. On the other hand I’d think that you need to be current to improve your chances of getting picked up at a major, but be prepared to be there for a longer period than you may want. There is no telling when your name will be selected for an interview. Another option could be the freight outfits, typically better pay and not dealing with brand new pilots all of the time. Their schedules are pretty brutal though. Good luck.

Thanks for filling him in! I have been surprised how many people are not aware of this requirement.

Awesome reality check. Thanks.

Is there a chance? Sure. But I'm not sure how much. The only people who really know how the apps are scored are in HR, and they won't be posting here.
Your best bet is to go the CTP route with a regional and get both boxes checked. Most don't require the CTP to be paid back, just any bonus money you take. So park the bonus money and pay it back if hired by a legacy/LCC.
Will you fly weekends with a regional? Yup. But you know what? Umm... the legacy airlines fly on weekends as well. Much of the flying at a regional is the same, just a smaller airframe.

Meh. Longer legs at the major => fewer legs, less unpaid turn time.

My typical regional days was 2-5 legs, credit 4-5, duty 10-12.

Typical major day is 1, occasionally 2, legs, credit 7-9, duty 8-10.

There are some regional planes/domiciles which due to location/mission will have more "major-esque" schedules.

When I finished my regional flying on the -700 it was 2-3 turns a day. But yeah, in general the legs will be longer at a legacy, though in some of the narrow bodies this may not necessarily be the case. A regional -175 pilot probably won’t be doing much different from a Delta A-220 pilot.
But still, both will be flying weekends. The statement that at a regional you will fly weekends, like you won’t elsewhere, is pretty silly.

Check your PM...


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About a one in a million chance of going directly to a major after that long of a break in flying. And yes, I understand you've been doing some GA flying.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KX5jNnDMfxA


Get some time at a regional and you'll be hired. It would probably be a bit of a reach, but you can also apply to Allegiant, Spirit, Frontier, JetBlue.

Good stuff. Thanks.

Yes, the whole turn down trips thing. Only senior people are able to drop their trips (day trips, etc) due to desirability and even in that case they are rarely able to drop down to what they want.

It’s a catch 22 - once you’re senior enough to drop desirable trips you don’t mind doing them anyways because they are desirable.

The first few years at United you’ll be on the road 16-18 days a month grinding out 4 day trips.

This has not been the case for me whatsoever. Just finished year 4 and average block per year 300 bidding reserve in base. Maybe junior lineholders or reserves in different bases/categories have it worse but it doesn't have to be.

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Those days are long gone on the 700 we do 3-5 now mostly 4-5 legs a day.

United has picked up a few with just GA currency but most had remarkable resumes with lots of boxes checked...

Squadron Commander/Chief Pilot
DO
Director of Safety
Mil IP/SEFI/NATOPs Evaluator
Test Pilot
CFI/CFII
Masters Degree

Without the ATP you won’t even get a look. If you have the ATP and the above type qualifications and experience, you might get the nod for a Hogan invite with just GA experience for recency of flying. You had better have a great explanation in the interview for why you had a career path that didn’t include flying. If you took family QOL tours it might look negatively since airline life while junior isn’t necessarily family friendly. The best answer for those coming from non flying jobs seems to be “I got promoted for my hard work out of flying and opportunities didn’t exist at my current rank”.

Good luck...lots of info out there and feel free to reach out if you want more info.

I had never heard of it either! Looks like it went into effect in 2014. https://www.customsmobile.com/regulations/14/61.156

I'm junior in my seat (80%) and can drop trips. Not all, but I can usually drop a couple of trips a month.

It all depends on BES (base equipment seat). What is normal in your BES isn't necessarily normal in other BESs.