Antney

I have been out of the industry since 2003 and haven't flown since. I left the industry at the time since it was stagnant and at the time flying for Chicago Express (ATA) was filing for bankruptcy. I got sucked out of the industry at the time into a family business that at the time paid well, 70K. I left when I was 24 years old thinking I could always get back in at the time I had around 3,000 total hours with 1,200 on the Saab 340B first officer.

Fast forward to now, I have my own business (left family business), married and have 4 kids (all young) make a very comfortable living. I am contemplating making a return, lot of things to weigh in on the decision but the one of the items I am concerned with is how current would I need to be to get hired? Meaning how many current hours within 90 days would I need to have since I have none? I know I would need a BFR and IPC, just seeing if my hours from 10 years ago is worth anything and how many I would need to be competitive. If its a matter of renting a plane for so many hours or having to go back to flight instructing for a period of time.

Appreciate any insight!

rickair7777

You would be competitive at any regional. May or may not need FR/IPC but would need a 1C medical and meet ATP mins (with your times, I'm sure you do).

You would probably want to do a little GA and do a little sim prep before training to knock the rust off (SKW would probably make you take a sim eval at the interview).

But the regionals are no place to hang out for long, and it's getting worse. I wouldn't consider it unless you have what the majors are looking for...degree w/ good grades (>3.0), clean FAA and criminal records, and can pass a personality profile test. Also you'll need civic involvement/volunteer work and some internal references but you'll have a few years to work on that if needed.

Cyborgmudhen

Stay away from 121, specifically the regionals.
You could likely get a sweet corporate/ 91/135 gig if you looked about.
Not sure how that'd effect your fam bam and business plan though.

If you MUST do 121, wait until the regional herd has been culled some. The wheels are truly coming off, the longer you can wait, the better off you'll likely be.

tvlawyer

I'm launching a comeback as well. I've been out of the Part 135 and CFI world since 2002. Practiced law for twenty three years and hated every minute of it. Now that my last kid is off to college in the fall, I'm free to pursue my passion. Since 2002 I've got a buttload of time in gliders and dragging them with a Pawnee. I had a full IPC last year. Got a 1st class medical.

I applied to several regionals through AirlineApps, everyone of them called me for an interview. I interviewed with XJT, did lousy on the sim, and was not offered a job. That's OK. I didn't really want to work there anyway. Piedmont called me for an interview, but I didn't go since there's no way I can make their odd domiciles fit my lifestyle. I have another interview scheduled for next week.

Go for it, old man!

Antney

I was ok with the 121 lifestyle, just the pay and work rules for regional was brutal, gone all the time with no money to show. I do have a family member (mother) that works for United (admin) for 30 years, back when I was in flying I was in some mentor program United had at the time for preferred interviews for family members, I should see if that is still viable, I know I would have to go to the regionals in the meantime.

Corporate world wouldn't be out of the question.

I would only give up my business if I know I can make it to the majors within 3-5 years, I couldn't financially afford it if its longer compared to what I make currently, it would be a selfish move on my part and not in the best interest of my family for those sacrifices.

I then might just have to wait to my kids are in college to resume my passion for flying. I always loved the airline world, just got sucked out of it at a bad time in the industry.

Whiplash6

if you failed the sim you should check out Mesa, GoJet, PSA, Endeavor. Theyll hire you.

bedrock

No guarantees in this business, BUT having a side career is a GREAT WAY to take out the uncertainty and pain. Summers at any regional are brutal, but you build time quick. IF you can live in base while on reserve and keep that business going, you'll be able to ride out the regional circus roller coaster (of course, regionals can and open and close bases frequently). Regionals will treat you like dog vomit, so just be prepared. As a business owner, you will be appalled and astounded at the level of inadequacy and incompetence. You will be dismayed at the poor attitudes of most workers and will have a hard time adjusting to the culture of either IDGAS, or "do just enough to get by", but that is cost of doing everything low cost. Having come from I.T. and having friends still in that industry, the differences are glaring--so be forewarned and forearmed, that's all.

Antney

I live in Chicago so probably pretty fortunate to have some options in regionals based here.

Good thing as I been there before and now have the normal job, guess a better perspective on it all. Still a hard choice to get back in when in all reality I have it well currently and a family. Just trying to determine if it's a selfish move and not a smart family move.


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Swedish Blender

Do you like being home for holidays, birthdays, kids events, or other family outings? If you choose to rejoin the aviation world, that will be history.

If you and your family can live with that and actually like(tolerate) it, then you may have a chance. It's a lot to throw on your wife and kids who have never had to deal with husband/daddy being gone all the time.

outaluckagain

I can clearly see what you mean about staying away from regionals. They pay has not improved, even a bit.

I can hardly justify spending my savings until I'm broke just to rack up some 121 time.

Question, what is your point in waiting to apply at the regionals? Do you think it is going to improve? Logic would say that it will have to, but somehow I doubt it. What are 'ya saying here?