Recency-Military transition to Airlines
02-08-2024, 09:29 AM
#22
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2022
Posts: 111
I've known quite a few experienced mil pilots who had to spend a short stint at a regional before getting a Legacy interview because of recency. I'd say apply to all and if by the fall you haven't heard from a major, start considering a stepping stone.
That being said, don't think you have to just go regional or ULCC. An ACMI or a fractional could be a better experience than a regional. I know guys who went places like NetJets/ FlexJet or Atlas/Kalitta. You'll have better earning potential there while you wait to get a call. Also, regional guys now aren't flying nearly as much since the majors have been taking flying back due to staffing issues. Since your goal at that point would be to get hours in your logbook to pad your recency I'd put going to a regional at the bottom of my stepping stone choices.
That being said, don't think you have to just go regional or ULCC. An ACMI or a fractional could be a better experience than a regional. I know guys who went places like NetJets/ FlexJet or Atlas/Kalitta. You'll have better earning potential there while you wait to get a call. Also, regional guys now aren't flying nearly as much since the majors have been taking flying back due to staffing issues. Since your goal at that point would be to get hours in your logbook to pad your recency I'd put going to a regional at the bottom of my stepping stone choices.
02-08-2024, 10:01 AM
#23
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2022
Position: Desk-130
Posts: 112
02-08-2024, 10:47 AM
#25
Occasional box hauler
Joined APC: Jan 2018
Posts: 1,804
02-08-2024, 02:36 PM
#26
On Reserve
Joined APC: Aug 2022
Posts: 18
Did AA not realize that he had been out of the cockpit for a year until he got to his interview? I ask because I have an interview coming up (with a different airline) and in the back of my mind I'm wondering if they fully realize that I am in a staff job. I put my desk job as my current employment, and my flight records show a very long gap and then a few recent Cessna hours. But I've started wondering if anybody actually looked at my app, or if the computer just picked me for interview based on an overall score - could be awkward when I sit down with the actual interview team and they realize I'm not exactly what they assumed.
02-08-2024, 02:45 PM
#27
Occasional box hauler
Joined APC: Jan 2018
Posts: 1,804
Did AA not realize that he had been out of the cockpit for a year until he got to his interview? I ask because I have an interview coming up (with a different airline) and in the back of my mind I'm wondering if they fully realize that I am in a staff job. I put my desk job as my current employment, and my flight records show a very long gap and then a few recent Cessna hours. But I've started wondering if anybody actually looked at my app, or if the computer just picked me for interview based on an overall score - could be awkward when I sit down with the actual interview team and they realize I'm not exactly what they assumed.
02-08-2024, 05:26 PM
#28
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2022
Posts: 111
Computers can sort for recency if they care. I doubt the Bone guy failed the interview due to his lack of recency. It could have been anything from his records not matching his application to he’s a flaming ******* in person. Speculation is kinda pointless. If the airline doesn’t set recency as a requirement, than it isn’t. It may be desired though.
02-08-2024, 07:45 PM
#29
Gets Weekends Off Rarely
Joined APC: Feb 2019
Posts: 196
I've known quite a few experienced mil pilots who had to spend a short stint at a regional before getting a Legacy interview because of recency. I'd say apply to all and if by the fall you haven't heard from a major, start considering a stepping stone.
That being said, don't think you have to just go regional or ULCC. An ACMI or a fractional could be a better experience than a regional. I know guys who went places like NetJets/ FlexJet or Atlas/Kalitta. You'll have better earning potential there while you wait to get a call. Also, regional guys now aren't flying nearly as much since the majors have been taking flying back due to staffing issues. Since your goal at that point would be to get hours in your logbook to pad your recency I'd put going to a regional at the bottom of my stepping stone choices.
That being said, don't think you have to just go regional or ULCC. An ACMI or a fractional could be a better experience than a regional. I know guys who went places like NetJets/ FlexJet or Atlas/Kalitta. You'll have better earning potential there while you wait to get a call. Also, regional guys now aren't flying nearly as much since the majors have been taking flying back due to staffing issues. Since your goal at that point would be to get hours in your logbook to pad your recency I'd put going to a regional at the bottom of my stepping stone choices.
02-08-2024, 08:12 PM
#30
On Reserve
Joined APC: Aug 2022
Posts: 18
That was my experience. Retired from the Navy in 2011 but my last flight was 2009. Hired by OO after a ten year absence from the cockpit then hired by AA 2 months after IOE. I know a couple other MIL retirees who have done the same thing in recent history. Apply to every major you’d work for but don’t hesitate to get current at a regional or 135 operation. Good luck!
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