NOLAflyer

Hi everyone!

Just looking for some career advice going forward. I'm an Air Force pilot at the moment, kicking off what should be my last active duty assignment, and thus, need to get serious about my next step. My question relates to my credentials and how I should move forward in the coming years to best set myself up for success.

My background:

First assignment RPA, so I know that won't help at all.

Second assignment C-17s (approx 1000 hrs), however ops-to-ops for me didn't seem likely, and so I made the decision to accept an early PCS mid AC upgrade in order to minimize my extension beyond my service commitment. A tough choice, but it made sense to me.

Currently, I'm a T-6 instructor racking up positive hours, but in a single engine turbo-prob. Anticipating about 1000 hrs when it comes time fo me to submit my apps.

I know my hours are low relative to peers who will be applying, so my questions are:

What are my chances with a legacy or major given the current hiring climate?

Should I spend the $10k getting my ATP or anticipate a regional stint and just have them cover it?

Thanks for any advice, and if you have more to add than my basic questions please do so!

JohnBurke

Go to a regional. Upgrade, get the multi PIC command experience (and your ATP), and look at your options from there.

Otterbox

Get the ATP and 737NG type soon and throw your application in for SWA... you should be able to get an interview. Also throw your apps out to all the majors. If you’re flight current leaving AD it’ll help and you shouldn’t have to spend much time at the regionals if you don’t get picked up on terminal leave.

Take the first major that offers you a job and lateral around to your higher choices from there.

NOLAflyer

Thanks for the feedback. I've heard SWA highly covets the type rating, if not requires it. Is that something you think would be beneficial for me at other airlines as well, given my lack of multi-engine PIC time? Or is it just not that high of a priority item for others?

I'm not discounting any airline at the moment, but with my minimal research thus far, SWA is a middle of the pack contender so far.

Otterbox

SWA people department has stated that as long as folks meet published minimums otherwise, if they have a 4 year college degree and a 737 type rating they’ll get an interview.

More importantly if you’ve got an ATP, you can apply to all the tier one majors and LCCs you’d like 12 months out from your terminal leave start date. You can use your GI bill for the ATP CTP course and type rating so it wouldn’t cost you much out of pocket if you wanted that way and there’s the possibility that you’ll be getting hired on to a major sooner than if you waited to have a regional pickup the tab for atp-ctp and the atp.

If the atp/type get you to a major even one month sooner it’ll be a worthwhile investment. If you’re not getting interview invites go to a part 121 regional as soon as terminal leave starts to beef up your resume.

There’s no surefire answer but one of my buddies got picked up by Delta with 2500 rj SIC time only on his resume and 2 job fairs under his belt... hit the job fairs asap as soon as you have your atp/hiring mins and there’s a shot that you could make a direct transition.

You have to decide if it’s worth putting the effort in to take a shot at it...

Sliceback

2000 TT? 1000 C-17's, 1000 T-6's? Don't sell yourself short, you're good enough. But don't be surprised if the majors want you to get some regional 121 experience first. But AD to majors is a possibility.

If you can get your ATP at least six months prior to separating you'll be better off. You can apply as a fully qualified candidate vs taking time off the end of your career while you're getting your ATP from a regional training program.

Each month at the end of your career is is easily worth $25,000 - $40,000. Two month regional ATP training program? That will cost you a cool $50-80K at the end of your career as well as being at least four months (2 months training, minimum two month lag from ATP to major airline class date). Suddenly it's $100-160K? I'd lead turn that MF, by getting your ATP six months prior to DOS, instead of being stuck in lag.

rickair7777

You probably need to decide whether to pursue ULCC/LCC or just go to a regional. LCC would pay better and be a better place to hang out if you got stuck, but upgrade would take longer. Regional PIC would probably help with legacies/big-six.

The top legacies know what a military career is supposed to look like. They might hire a civilian RJ FO who had nailed all of HIS milestones, but they might view your trajectory as lacking even though you've done more and better "pilot stuff" than the civilian. Even though your path was more challenging they are comparing the civilian to like apples and you to like oranges. They're looking for competitors who break out of their respective packs. You might need some 121 or even 121 PIC to get competitive. But you'll get there eventually with mil wings, you just have to choose the path.