Getting competitive and sharp

[rsnodg]

I need some suggestions as to what I should do to get competitive and sharp again. From October 2000 to September 2001 I attended Pam Am where I got my Instrument, Commercial and Multiengine. I cut their program short and did not get any Instructor ratings (In hind site, I should have finished my CFI, CFII, & MEI). I instead went to Alpine and went through their First Officer Program. I accumulated 1,000 hours total time, over 500 hours in a Beech 99 twin turboprop, 200 hours in the clouds. I finished in June of 2002. I was never able to gain employment from a regional or cargo. I started my CFI rating a year ago but stopped and continued to fly my personal plane to get to 1,200 hours (cargo). Because of the tremendous costs, I sold my plane and am currently doing nothing. I see the regionals’ are starting to hire now. What path shall I take to get current and look good to the airlines? Should I, start over with my Instructor ratings, PFT, rent, Regional Airline Academy, Flight Safety, Pan Am, ATP, any other ideas? By the way I am 45 years old and this is a career change for me.

 

[wil]

I would get the CFI. My friend got called for ASA and the phone screener said that they went through the resumes and were looking for pilots with 3500+ and an ATP. I know there are exceptions, but there just aren't enough jobs to go around. I know Mesa hires low time so you could try them.

I will say that I love my job and the challenges that it presents. But, if I was in my mid-forties I would not recommend the Regionals. You could make more money up at Yipsilanti flying freight. When I was up there it was a 15 min call to the airport and you lived on a pager. Not a great life but you can make pretty good money. And, in the 135 world you are not limited by the age 60 rule. Good luck