Viper1616

Hi guys,

Im trying to gauge how much time Military pilots (Fighter guys specifically) have when getting called by United recently.

I've got 1800 TT. 1350 Turbine PIC (All Single Seat Fighter). Anyone gotten a call with similar #s?

Thanks in advance!

That Guy 74

I'm an April conditional hire, starting class Oct 1.

I am both military single seat and civilian, but have WAY more time than the typical mil single seat guy that transitions to the civilian side (flew a lot of civilian prior to going in the military). From the military single seat guys I talked to at the interview you're probably at least 700-800 hours short of total time than they were.

I would highly recommend you go to work for one of the 121 regional airlines. This will allow you to adapt to the two-person cockpit, gain some Crew Resource Management skills, and learn 121 regs. It is a completely different world than the military single-seat community. Consider this the 'minor leagues' for your eventual transition to a legacy like United or other major airline. You can easily knock out 800 hours (or more if you hustle) in 12 months.

There are several American wholly-owned carriers like Piedmont, PSA and Envoy that have direct flow through agreements with American. In other words, once you're hired there, you don't have to interview with American and will automatically flow through when your seniority allows...about 5 years currently. With your flight time, it'll probably be 18-24 months before you would be a Captain there.

The possibility exists you may get hired at another airline (United, Delta, etc.) before you upgrade to Captain or flow through to American. However, wouldn't it be nice to have the flow through there in case you get to the 5 year point and haven't gone anywhere else yet?

If I were you, that's what I would do, but everyone has to pick a path that works for them.

Best of luck no matter what you decide.

Viper1616

Thanks for the info! I've got several buddies at Delta and FedEx who got hired recently with similar Turbine PIC stats, but lower total time. It seems like both of those companies place a higher emphasis on the fighter time.

I'd eventually like to wind up at United. But if FedEx or Delta call first.....

Thanks again for the info

oldmako

This guy gave you excellent info. This career is a crap-shoot and the airlines seem to LOVE showing the door to seemingly (to US anyway) great people with great backgrounds. Matters not if you fail to tickle their fancy for whatever idiotic reason they choose. The experience of many of us shows that being a new hire at a decent career slot can be a fickle thing. Having a flow into a career seat is just a great backup.

Good luck.

My bag will fit

As That Guy 74 stated, go to an American WO if you need to go to a regional. United seems to think it’s regional pilots are of a lesser class for some reason. So worst pay in the industry, worst travel benefits (day 1 interns have higher priority than the most senior express guy, for one example), and the CPP hasn’t been active for almost a year now, unless you already took the hogan/interview.

ugleeual

When was your last flight in a fighter and/or any other plane? If you don’t have 200+ hrs recent flying in the last year it’s going to be hard at United.

Viper1616

Currently flying F-16s. Between AF flying and GA stuff on the side I’m at about 150 hours/year. I’m an instructor at the USAF weapons school. Great job, but for every hour of flying it’s about 20 hours of mission planning, briefing, and debriefing

massgflight

You should be ok if you have good references and someone pulling for you. IMHO skip the regionals. No offense. They are great for those in need (not a mil trained current fighter dude).

It’s go time and you have tactical single seat time. All majors are hiring in consistent waves for foreseeable future. Barring incident and economic downturn of course with all remaining disclaimers.

Stay current and update app. Press for a
Chief pilot or a connection within hiring to hook you up. Valid point someone made- its an entirely different kind of flying,
ALTOGETHER! That’s no joke.

Whoever said regionals are distant second may have a point but, 2/3 of my class were regional folks and all good people.

United is the best place period. If you want a pension then look cargo but UAL
Is doing quite well. Things are really clicking and it’s culture has been eye openingly fantastic compared to a military which is rotting culturally from my view. Single seat guy myself. Best of luck. We want more
Good folks!

Jay1122

Your hours are maybe a bit lower than average but certainly not outside the realm of possibility--especially for a single seat guy. Your other quals will obviously add a lot of weight though. If you already have your ATP I'd skip the regionals, keep your app updated, accrue as much additional fighter time as you can, and try to do some networking/job fairs. If you need a free ATP and/or don't get any bites after 6 months to a year, then maybe give the regionals a shot--depending on your need for a job and all that stuff. You pretty much need 100 hours in the last year though, and not in a Cessna 152.

Keep updating, you WILL get the call.

Regarding FedEx, that company won't exist in 10 years, at least not in the way that you would care about. Caveat emptor.

As for the AF, get out before they stop-loss you--if you can.

AlphaBeta

Had multiple friends with the same hours or less than you get hired. I talked at length recently with Delta’s hiring guys and they understand how hard it is to fly 100-200 hours for a fighter guy when the log .8 every sortie. Since you are a WO instructor, I would not sweat getting a call.