Aviation hiring sucks
Thanks for your military service. Anyone who has served in the Marines automatically has my respect.
I have not read each and every post in this thread, but I have a few general comments.
For one thing, despite all of your efforts, you just do not have enough time to be competitive. Even during the good times of a few years ago, you have still been light on time. Somewhat competitive numbers for the regionals these days would be at least 1500 total-500 multi and your ATP. Probably more realistic numbers would be at 2500 hours total, at least 500 of multi, ATP and scheduled experience.
Second, you have a four-year college degree. Although I personally like an Aeronautical Science degree, all that matters is you have the degree. As long as you have the degree, which you do, you are at no disadvantage.
Third, aviation hiring sucks. Except for the '60s briefly, there has never been a pilot shortage. Qualified candidates must outnumber available jobs by at least 300 to 1. Also, there are people who are always less qualified than you who get the jobs you want.
Avation hiring is extremely unfair. Most people here are familiar with my story, so I ask them to bear with me while I relate it to you briefly.
I was 36 when I decided to change careers. This was in the mid '80s, in the midst of a great hiring boom. I already had been flying for four years, had all my ratings except for multi, and had earned my B.S.B.A. years before. Two friends had been hired by the commuters, so, I thought if they could be hired, I could be hired. I received advice that I wasn't too old, so I earned my multi and MEI, and started applying.
I applied everywhere, including freight and regionals. I had about 900 hours and 50 of multi, so, I thought, with a hiring boom I might be called. At least two regionals, Mesa and SkyWest, only required 1000 total-100 multi, so I thought they might call.
It took me ten months, but in 1988 I finally was hired at ERAU to instruct. I was overjoyed. I earned my ATP and less than nine (long) months later, I got into the multis. I continued to apply to regionals. Finally, a year after I got into the Riddle multis, with about 2730 total and 630 of multi, I finally had interviews, with WestAir/United Express, Mesa, Eagle and Comair, and a cattle call with Express I. I was not hired. I should point out that standard regional mins of the day were 1500-total 500-multi, so I more than exceeded the minimums.
I was pushing 40. However, my Riddle colleagues, who also had four-year degrees, but with less time and who were 25 or younger, were getting interviews and hired at the same places where I was ignored or rejected. It does not take a pilot or rocket scientist to determine the problem. I recognize that perhaps a bad interview(er) screwed me, but people who do bad interviews are still hired while people who do good interviews are not always hired.
I continued to apply to at least two regionals for a total seven years, receiving polite "we will keep your application on file" postcards or nothing. Usually, it was nothing. I had a former student who was hired at SkyWest walk in materials for me. I included another application fee check, just in case something had fallen through the cracks. I was 42 by that time. My check was returned.
I know of others who have had similar experiences. The point is, again, that aviation hiring is unfair. You are thirty, so age discrimination is a non-issue for you. Having said that, I have to say that until you build competitive quals, you cannot really complain. Work on building your quals and contacts. Moreover, I would question the veracity of the great numbers of these so-called bridge program grads who are being hired. In that light, face it, you are not one of them and you must maximize what you have. I second Resume Writer's comments that you need to present how your experiences would set you apart from others.
Good luck with your plans.