re-entry to flying status

[CUBMAN]

I am trying to re-enter the work force as a pilot after many years of non-flying status and am wondering what thoughts some of you might have as far as how to successfully go about it. As like everybody else I'm having a heck of a time. I am current and qualified under 135. Is a commuter pathway a viable route even though it is slave wages. Could I even be hired after all this time.

 

[Gulfstream 200]

I am trying to re-enter the work force as a pilot after many years of non-flying status and am wondering what thoughts some of you might have as far as how to successfully go about it. As like everybody else I'm having a heck of a time. I am current and qualified under 135. Is a commuter pathway a viable route even though it is slave wages. Could I even be hired after all this time.

no flight times listed
no type ratings listed
no education listed
no experience listed
no location listed.

135 in what? a caravan or a G550?

Could I be hired after all this time?

Good question.

 

[ultrarunner]

Cubman, you don't indicate what a it is you want to do? I'm assuming airlines? If you've been out of flying for years, and you're current and qualed 135, that means you've been hired somewhere, been though indoc, flight/sim training and passed the PC and flying the sched. right? So what does having a heck of time mean? You haven't gotten an invite from Delta or FedEx?

Soooo....you indicate you have an ATP, so that's good. Since we're guessing, it sounds as if you've done what you can at this point. If you're looking at the airlines, and you don't have 1000 hrs. minimum PIC turbine (meaning you're actually the PIC), you're gonna need a job that gets you that. But again, intel is key. Give us some more of it and we might be able to steer you.

 

[CUBMAN]

I guess that would be useful info, thanks for pointing that out. Typed in King Air 350 and 1900, 4000 TT, A&P, previous 135, no 4 year degree but willing to relocate.

 

[ultrarunner]

4 year degree takes you out of the running at a few places. But if you're looking for main-line type of flying, start firing out the apps. Do you have the 1000 PIC?

 

[CUBMAN]

1100 turbine/jet but not PIC.

 

[Fblowjets]

To answer the question, Yes.. You are qualified for the regionals. Its low pay, but it will get you flying. Good luck.

 

[ultrarunner]

Cubman, without the 1000 PIC turbine, you're going to be relegated to the RJ side of the 121 airline biz. In fact, you're likely 'over qualified' in some areas, based on their hiring practices over the last decade.

With that said, there is a TON of info on this site, and others that you can search to educate yourself on the various levels of miserable-existences among the different carries.

Keep you options open, as I'm sure you are.

 

[CorpCaptain]

Unless your regulating yourself to 121, try and hop on acass.com. Pilot placement service that can find either part-time or full time emplyment. If you are current in the 350 and 1900, im sure they could place you somewhere almost immediatly. If your truly willing to move on short notice........Good Luck!
Corp

 

[CUBMAN]

My parents were lifelong aviators and I ignored their advice to stay away from this industry but as a young man I knew more than they did so I continued. Needless to say they were right.

 

[pilothouston123]

i am confused
I havent flown in years but I am current and qualified 135>?
splain me that

 

[pilothouston123]

with an A&P I'd try avenger outside the usa they are looking for king air guys all the time

 

[CUBMAN]

Keeping 135 current in a simulator.

 

[gern_blanston]

OK, nobody asked the big question...
Why'd you get out of aviation in the 1st place?
A large gap "many years" is gonna' be a hindrance for sure.

 

[gern_blanston]

My parents were lifelong aviators and I ignored their advice to stay away from this industry but as a young man I knew more than they did so I continued. Needless to say they were right.

Then it sound like you did exactly the right thing and got out of the business.
I'm gonna have to recommend that you get a job as an insurance salesman and fly a cub on the weekends. I think you'll probably be happier.
This business definitely ain't for everyone.

 

[SansPlane]

Then it sound like you did exactly the right thing and got out of the business.
I'm gonna have to recommend that you get a job as an insurance salesman and fly a cub on the weekends. I think you'll probably be happier.
This business definitely ain't for everyone.

If I had a million dollars for every person I have known or met that did a stent in the insurance sales business I would be a multi-millionaire! The drop out rate for that profession is probably close to 99+% over five years and I once heard that it was greater 90% within a few months.

Career advice? Most of the places I eat seem to be doing fine and that holds true for the last two years. So I am reccomending restaurant management although I don't know what they make these days but hey, you get to hire waitresses and at my advanced age, working with youth making their way seems better than insurance sales. And since you may have to start as a waiter, if I ever have a server wearing epaulettes or sporting an aviation lapel pin, you can expect an extra beefy tip.

Kidding aside, be wary of going into insurance sales. Good luck!

 

[CUBMAN]

Two smart-a$$ remarks back-to-back....that must be some kind of a record. If you will notice my original post, I am attempting a return to aviation in a flying status which might indicate to some that I am still in the business of aviation. No great revelations as to why I stopped as a full time pilot, it was personal.

 

[gern_blanston]

Not smart-a$$ at all. Good advice offered and not taken.
You asked for opinions and got some.
This is a tough business (the flying part) in which to hit the pause button and then carry on. It's hard enough without taking a break of many years.
You never did say how long you've been out, but to repeat, you did say "many years" which means you're getting older, which makes it even harder, and also there's retirement to think about, etc. Just seems like a bad idea, given the current conditions in the industry, particularly if you've got decent employment right now.
And , to quote you again, "...They were right." I think you'll find that starting from the bottom, or close to it, will be more of a drag than it was years ago. Good luck.

 

[LegacyDriver]

no flight times listed
no type ratings listed
no education listed
no experience listed
no location listed.

135 in what? a caravan or a G550?

Could I be hired after all this time?

Good question.

I'm glad you are an equal opportunity *bleep*. Whew.

 

[LegacyDriver]

Two smart-a$$ remarks back-to-back....that must be some kind of a record. If you will notice my original post, I am attempting a return to aviation in a flying status which might indicate to some that I am still in the business of aviation. No great revelations as to why I stopped as a full time pilot, it was personal.

You are gonna' have to work back in slow. A lot of folks got knocked out for financial causes like high oil prices (furloughs). That's going to happen again soon, too. Watch. (One of my buds was working at a car wash after his furlough...at least until recently--three year span--and he only got *THAT* job--at the car wash--because one of our fellow pilots owned one and hired him. SHEESH! And I'm talking a young guy with a lot of good experience. It is a tough market.)

Go back to basics. Start out instructing again, get your feet wet. Or flying the usual "lower tier" jobs that people thumb their noses at (check hauling, freight dogging, banner towing, traffic watch, etc., assuming such things exist).

Depending on your quals you might be dumped because the employer knows you will move on. That's a tough gig. OTOH, you might just never be discovered in the pile of resume's.

1) Call everybody you know and network. That's big.
2) Get current.
3) Apply. Apply. Apply.
4) Never give up.

Airlines? Probably not without currency. Even the regionals want X hours in X months which you probably don't have right now.

OTOH, if you want to fly a 421 in North Mexico (aka South Texas) for nothing I can point you to someone.

Good luck.