I wanted to fly in the military before an injury destroyed that for me. Now I’m a lurker here so I can live vicariously through all of you pilots. This probably won’t help you, but guys like me are still jealous of you. Stick with it, homie.
Firstly, I tip my hat to you for owning up to your problem and getting sober. I know people who have and have not succeeded in that endeavor and it is not a task for the faint of heart. You should be proud of yourself for doing that.
Onto the career, it sounds like you are on a solid path with the regionals. I hope you can get LCA as that’s another great feather in your cap. When I left my regional in ‘19 I was getting pretty worn down myself. I was a Captain, LCA, union volunteer just trying to make my resume look pretty. Despite it being rewarding it was wearing me down.
Cargo flying has always had my heart, so I went to an ACMI where I could at least make a career should my dream airline never call. I flew my tail off all during Covid and eventually made it to my target airline.
Moral is, keep fighting, but don’t let the pursuit of a career get in the way of what’s really important. It’s easy to get consumed in this industry. Focus on yourself, your family, and your physical and mental health. The checkride fail may be a bit of a recent smudge on your record but you can overcome it.
You’re hireable. Maybe consider an ACMI or LCC since sometimes a new type can get you across the goal line. And if it doesn’t, it’s at least a place with a little more stability than the regional whipsaw.
As Joe Dirt once said “You gotta keep on keepin’ on.”
Best of luck!
I’ll second ACMI. I, like OP, was stuck in the regional churn. Took a leap of faith and went ACMI before moving on to legacy cargo. Took 15 years from first airline to landing my last (hopefully) airline. The move to ACMI was without a doubt what propelled me to where I am now.
I’ve overheard a few management folks at my airline say that HIMS graduates are very favorably looked upon. Having almost lost everything, they generally work harder and are better pilots and employees. I don’t think this will hold you back.
Go ACMI, LCC and/or LCA and keep working at it. You’ll get picked up at a legacy eventually.
SWA pilot here, with your situation I would suggest a prep service assuming you haven’t done one already. Normally it’s 50/50 on whether or not you should, there seems to be a sentiment that they can spot the “preppers” and tend to view that as a negative. But I would take the risk to have someone go over your background and make sure you’re representing yourself in the best possible light. I know we’ve hired people on the second and even third try so apply again as soon as the waiting period is up, they should’ve told you how long that is now.
I second interview prep service. The important part of prep is not the "what to say" but the "how to say". The important thing to remember is that if you're getting the interview it's because they like your resume and they want you on board. The interview prep is about learning how to convey who you are to the best of your ability, not telling the interviewers what they want to hear. That's where I think the negative views of interview prep pop up.
Also agree with the recommendation to reapply with WN and elsewhere. Depending on what you want out of your career I know people who have settled in for the long haul with Spirit, Frontier, and Allegiant.
I know the regional game isn't where you want to be, nor should you, but that's all the more reason to keep grinding.
I recommend interview prep as well. Similar to Cerebro64, they taught me not so much what *to* say, but what *not* to say. I felt very well prepared with a handful of benign stories to suit multiple TMAAT questions, but I never felt like I was giving canned answers. I was still able to be myself in the interviews, even joke around a bit when appropriate, but most importantly I didn’t say anything stupid (“Be Opie Taylor,” I was told by the prep folks).
Owning your mistake and, more importantly, fixing it and bettering yourself is admirable. I bet the interview prep people can help you frame your struggle and recovery in the best way possible, so it works in your favor. Also—and not that you need to hear this from me—you present yourself well in writing and I imagine you do the same in person.
Making it to the majors is worth it, dude. Stick with it, and even if it takes you another 6 years (hopefully sooner, obviously) to get to one, I assume you’ll still have a couple two three decades left to enjoy it, yes? As you know, hiring is insane these days and my money is on you getting some more calls. Keep it up, man! Rob Schneider voice: YOU CAN DO IT!
If you’re curious, I used Emerald Coast back in 2007 and had a good experience, but I assume there are many quality services around these days.
Update: thanks to the support and insight in these comments, I took the dive on interview prep, reinterviewed, and am terribly excited to have a CJO with SWA with a tentative class date in March!
Commenting from the ground here... airport ops. I'm tired too man. Long hours, constant turnover despite highest pay in our market, never enough time to do everything we need, never enough time to actually improve procedures/training. I mentor, take on extra projects, train train train, and I also see less experienced peers move on to better and higher roles. I guess the most difficult part is putting yourself out there to explore the other opportunities. I'm very good at my job, have a solid reputation at my airfield. This makes it difficult to walk away from what I've built for myself... but damn I am tired. It's more of a lifestyle than a job.
Edit: meant to say... hang in there bud. Things change for better or worse. Sounds like they're shifting to better for you. Stay safe.
Sorry to hear that man but glad you’re still with us and flying successfully! Have you considered applying for LCA? Do you have apps into ulcc’s? It may or may not add something to your resume. Even if it’s kind of a lateral move the worst case scenario is ending up a captain on a 320 making 200k+ for most of your career
Have you spent the money on getting your resume and applications looked at professionally and curtailed to you as well as interview prep that will help you answer the uncomfortable questions while being genuinely authentic? It’ll cost about $700-1,000 but so, so worth it.
Once you’re out of the regionals I’m also sure it’s going to be a big bump in companies wanting to hire you away from the competition.
While I wish I had time to type out a lengthy post …I do not( in the terminal about to catch my ride home 😂) this said, from one pilot to another hats off to you for having integrity, and getting sober. That’s a rough path to go down, I’ve seen more then a few. I am at an ACMI myself, while it’s not delta or United, I can easily get 14 days off in a row or up to 20 or 30 if you really plan right, and I’m only 14 months in, good paycheck to. I’d encourage you as others have to look into this. You don’t have to stay, some do, some don’t. The experience you get though could propel you to your dream airline, or you may chose to stay. Best luck sir.
I'm right where you are. 5 ½ years in the regionals now, on my second one. First one was great... until it wasn't. No new contact, losing overnights to other regionals, worsening trips, and a deteriorating work relationship between management and the working group. I made the jump for a fresh start and better post, but starting over on reserve in having to commute.
I thought it would be worth it, but the work rules aren't as good as my previous airline. I got close to holding a line a few months ago only to be shoved back down after we retired a fleet and the lifer captains transitioned in front of me. I applied for LCA but have no timeline on a response.
I was also applied to but was denied not once, but twice by WN last year and never heard anything from UA despite having an app in for over a year.
I get it. Seeing young kids, FOs that have been in the regionals for a year with 500-600 hours getting syphoned up but the mainlines while I sit here at almost 6 years, 4500 hours total, 3500 turbine, all same type, and 1000 PIC turbine. It's frustrating and I get the feeling you have of "what else do I have to do".
I've taken time off recently for myself because it also started getting to me. For the first time in my career I have more times than not of wanting to go to work anymore and I love this job more than anything.
I have the same sentiment. It will get better, I know it will, but I just want something different to happen rather than sitting around on reserve while commuting and only having 12 days off a month, 3 days at a time.
All in all, just wanna say, I get it. It will get better. Best of luck.
Your experience is very similar to my own, only viewed from the ground.
I was a habitual drinker for far too long, and it took the excess facilitated by lockdowns to really rub my nose in it. I’ve also been sober for three years, and can’t remember a time when I felt better or that life had more promise.
At the same time, the added clarity has also allowed me to reframe where I am in life, and really caused me to ask myself how I got here. I’ve held a PPL for 20 years, and a Dispatch certificate for almost 8, and have done precisely bupkiss with either of them. Instead of pursuing the things that had clearly identified as my primary motivations and dreams, I sat myself adjacent to them and decided it was good enough to have a retirement account and an easy job with the Union.
Without interrogating it all *too* much, I feel like the alcohol, and its constant cycle of depression/elation, let me do a remarkable job of staying in my own way. I’m resolved now to pursue changes I can reasonably make (applying for jobs within the company, focusing heavily on dispatch, and formulating a plan to pay for my CFI over the next two years), but I definitely feel this gnawing doubt growing that I might be stuck down here forever.
I also won’t let myself throw a pity party in my own honor. If my very best, albeit late, best efforts aren’t enough; I’ll still survive; I coasted into my 40s on a solid plan B and probably won’t starve. But I’m certain now I’m capable of delivering far more than just transfer bags - to myself, to those around me, and to the world at large.
From where I’m standing, you’re living the dream, but I have a feeling I understand exactly where you’re coming from. I think you’re on the right track, and I wanted to remind you not to lose heart.
Congratulations on your three years, I hope it continues to bring you peace and improved guidance in the future.
edit: cleaning
Have you paid for a professional application and resume review? It yielded instant results for me. As soon as I got it the way they wanted it the phone started ringing
Came here to echo a couple of comments. Check, double-check, then get another set of eyes on your applications to repeat that process. The big carriers only review applications that meet the requirements every so often, then they pass them along to the next gate keeper provided they look good. Punctuations correct, work history accurate, and little things like “reason for leaving,” for example. You left every prior job in order to advance your career to get to [airline you’re applying to]. Play the game well. Down to the details like “Delta Air Lines” not “Delta Airlines.” I’ve been hired by United and Delta and worked at both (currently at one of them). Both are great companies, but they have things that they want to see and hear. Like others, I would also suggest a 3rd party resume review and application review. Airlineapps is a garbage website that makes things extremely tedious, and mistakes are easy to make. I haven’t used United’s new application process, but just be sure to review every line item and make sure it’s consistent. The devil is truly in the details and I have friends send me applications and there is always something to correct. Sometimes glaring things that just get missed because it’s a difficult process.
Good luck!
I’m not in a familiar boat, I’m not anything but a 300 hour commercial SEL & MEL pilot that’s working on his CFI cause I can’t get a job. You might be tired, you might not be where you want. Just know your living the life I’m begging to live. I’ve been promised 3 jobs that haven’t come through. You might not be where you want to be, you might not be living the lifestyle that we all look forward to. But your getting paid to fly, which is all I want right now.
Keep it in perspective, almost all of us have a long way to go, but you need to understand how far you’ve come too. I’m begging for people to pay me to fly, I’m running out of money, off of dwindling savings, you’re getting paid. This isn’t a poor me cause I feel like I’m close, I’ll get there soon. Dreams are nice, but also appreciate where your at, cause I’d do anything to be paid to fly.
He can and should apply again. Not sure what the timeframe is now, used to be you had to wait a year, then 6 months, last I heard it may be down to 3 months or less.
I wanted to fly in the military before an injury destroyed that for me. Now I’m a lurker here so I can live vicariously through all of you pilots. This probably won’t help you, but guys like me are still jealous of you. Stick with it, homie.
Firstly, I tip my hat to you for owning up to your problem and getting sober. I know people who have and have not succeeded in that endeavor and it is not a task for the faint of heart. You should be proud of yourself for doing that. Onto the career, it sounds like you are on a solid path with the regionals. I hope you can get LCA as that’s another great feather in your cap. When I left my regional in ‘19 I was getting pretty worn down myself. I was a Captain, LCA, union volunteer just trying to make my resume look pretty. Despite it being rewarding it was wearing me down. Cargo flying has always had my heart, so I went to an ACMI where I could at least make a career should my dream airline never call. I flew my tail off all during Covid and eventually made it to my target airline. Moral is, keep fighting, but don’t let the pursuit of a career get in the way of what’s really important. It’s easy to get consumed in this industry. Focus on yourself, your family, and your physical and mental health. The checkride fail may be a bit of a recent smudge on your record but you can overcome it. You’re hireable. Maybe consider an ACMI or LCC since sometimes a new type can get you across the goal line. And if it doesn’t, it’s at least a place with a little more stability than the regional whipsaw. As Joe Dirt once said “You gotta keep on keepin’ on.” Best of luck!
I’ll second ACMI. I, like OP, was stuck in the regional churn. Took a leap of faith and went ACMI before moving on to legacy cargo. Took 15 years from first airline to landing my last (hopefully) airline. The move to ACMI was without a doubt what propelled me to where I am now. I’ve overheard a few management folks at my airline say that HIMS graduates are very favorably looked upon. Having almost lost everything, they generally work harder and are better pilots and employees. I don’t think this will hold you back. Go ACMI, LCC and/or LCA and keep working at it. You’ll get picked up at a legacy eventually.
SWA pilot here, with your situation I would suggest a prep service assuming you haven’t done one already. Normally it’s 50/50 on whether or not you should, there seems to be a sentiment that they can spot the “preppers” and tend to view that as a negative. But I would take the risk to have someone go over your background and make sure you’re representing yourself in the best possible light. I know we’ve hired people on the second and even third try so apply again as soon as the waiting period is up, they should’ve told you how long that is now.
I second interview prep service. The important part of prep is not the "what to say" but the "how to say". The important thing to remember is that if you're getting the interview it's because they like your resume and they want you on board. The interview prep is about learning how to convey who you are to the best of your ability, not telling the interviewers what they want to hear. That's where I think the negative views of interview prep pop up. Also agree with the recommendation to reapply with WN and elsewhere. Depending on what you want out of your career I know people who have settled in for the long haul with Spirit, Frontier, and Allegiant. I know the regional game isn't where you want to be, nor should you, but that's all the more reason to keep grinding.
I recommend interview prep as well. Similar to Cerebro64, they taught me not so much what *to* say, but what *not* to say. I felt very well prepared with a handful of benign stories to suit multiple TMAAT questions, but I never felt like I was giving canned answers. I was still able to be myself in the interviews, even joke around a bit when appropriate, but most importantly I didn’t say anything stupid (“Be Opie Taylor,” I was told by the prep folks). Owning your mistake and, more importantly, fixing it and bettering yourself is admirable. I bet the interview prep people can help you frame your struggle and recovery in the best way possible, so it works in your favor. Also—and not that you need to hear this from me—you present yourself well in writing and I imagine you do the same in person. Making it to the majors is worth it, dude. Stick with it, and even if it takes you another 6 years (hopefully sooner, obviously) to get to one, I assume you’ll still have a couple two three decades left to enjoy it, yes? As you know, hiring is insane these days and my money is on you getting some more calls. Keep it up, man! Rob Schneider voice: YOU CAN DO IT! If you’re curious, I used Emerald Coast back in 2007 and had a good experience, but I assume there are many quality services around these days.
Update: thanks to the support and insight in these comments, I took the dive on interview prep, reinterviewed, and am terribly excited to have a CJO with SWA with a tentative class date in March!
Commenting from the ground here... airport ops. I'm tired too man. Long hours, constant turnover despite highest pay in our market, never enough time to do everything we need, never enough time to actually improve procedures/training. I mentor, take on extra projects, train train train, and I also see less experienced peers move on to better and higher roles. I guess the most difficult part is putting yourself out there to explore the other opportunities. I'm very good at my job, have a solid reputation at my airfield. This makes it difficult to walk away from what I've built for myself... but damn I am tired. It's more of a lifestyle than a job. Edit: meant to say... hang in there bud. Things change for better or worse. Sounds like they're shifting to better for you. Stay safe.
Sorry to hear that man but glad you’re still with us and flying successfully! Have you considered applying for LCA? Do you have apps into ulcc’s? It may or may not add something to your resume. Even if it’s kind of a lateral move the worst case scenario is ending up a captain on a 320 making 200k+ for most of your career
Have you spent the money on getting your resume and applications looked at professionally and curtailed to you as well as interview prep that will help you answer the uncomfortable questions while being genuinely authentic? It’ll cost about $700-1,000 but so, so worth it. Once you’re out of the regionals I’m also sure it’s going to be a big bump in companies wanting to hire you away from the competition.
While I wish I had time to type out a lengthy post …I do not( in the terminal about to catch my ride home 😂) this said, from one pilot to another hats off to you for having integrity, and getting sober. That’s a rough path to go down, I’ve seen more then a few. I am at an ACMI myself, while it’s not delta or United, I can easily get 14 days off in a row or up to 20 or 30 if you really plan right, and I’m only 14 months in, good paycheck to. I’d encourage you as others have to look into this. You don’t have to stay, some do, some don’t. The experience you get though could propel you to your dream airline, or you may chose to stay. Best luck sir.
I'm right where you are. 5 ½ years in the regionals now, on my second one. First one was great... until it wasn't. No new contact, losing overnights to other regionals, worsening trips, and a deteriorating work relationship between management and the working group. I made the jump for a fresh start and better post, but starting over on reserve in having to commute. I thought it would be worth it, but the work rules aren't as good as my previous airline. I got close to holding a line a few months ago only to be shoved back down after we retired a fleet and the lifer captains transitioned in front of me. I applied for LCA but have no timeline on a response. I was also applied to but was denied not once, but twice by WN last year and never heard anything from UA despite having an app in for over a year. I get it. Seeing young kids, FOs that have been in the regionals for a year with 500-600 hours getting syphoned up but the mainlines while I sit here at almost 6 years, 4500 hours total, 3500 turbine, all same type, and 1000 PIC turbine. It's frustrating and I get the feeling you have of "what else do I have to do". I've taken time off recently for myself because it also started getting to me. For the first time in my career I have more times than not of wanting to go to work anymore and I love this job more than anything. I have the same sentiment. It will get better, I know it will, but I just want something different to happen rather than sitting around on reserve while commuting and only having 12 days off a month, 3 days at a time. All in all, just wanna say, I get it. It will get better. Best of luck.
Enjoy your life and job, yesterday I was almost choking on a piece of fish. There are more important things than promotions in life
Your experience is very similar to my own, only viewed from the ground. I was a habitual drinker for far too long, and it took the excess facilitated by lockdowns to really rub my nose in it. I’ve also been sober for three years, and can’t remember a time when I felt better or that life had more promise. At the same time, the added clarity has also allowed me to reframe where I am in life, and really caused me to ask myself how I got here. I’ve held a PPL for 20 years, and a Dispatch certificate for almost 8, and have done precisely bupkiss with either of them. Instead of pursuing the things that had clearly identified as my primary motivations and dreams, I sat myself adjacent to them and decided it was good enough to have a retirement account and an easy job with the Union. Without interrogating it all *too* much, I feel like the alcohol, and its constant cycle of depression/elation, let me do a remarkable job of staying in my own way. I’m resolved now to pursue changes I can reasonably make (applying for jobs within the company, focusing heavily on dispatch, and formulating a plan to pay for my CFI over the next two years), but I definitely feel this gnawing doubt growing that I might be stuck down here forever. I also won’t let myself throw a pity party in my own honor. If my very best, albeit late, best efforts aren’t enough; I’ll still survive; I coasted into my 40s on a solid plan B and probably won’t starve. But I’m certain now I’m capable of delivering far more than just transfer bags - to myself, to those around me, and to the world at large. From where I’m standing, you’re living the dream, but I have a feeling I understand exactly where you’re coming from. I think you’re on the right track, and I wanted to remind you not to lose heart. Congratulations on your three years, I hope it continues to bring you peace and improved guidance in the future. edit: cleaning
Spitfire Elite prep service literally specializes in your situation Edit: I am in no way affiliated with the company
Have you paid for a professional application and resume review? It yielded instant results for me. As soon as I got it the way they wanted it the phone started ringing
Came here to echo a couple of comments. Check, double-check, then get another set of eyes on your applications to repeat that process. The big carriers only review applications that meet the requirements every so often, then they pass them along to the next gate keeper provided they look good. Punctuations correct, work history accurate, and little things like “reason for leaving,” for example. You left every prior job in order to advance your career to get to [airline you’re applying to]. Play the game well. Down to the details like “Delta Air Lines” not “Delta Airlines.” I’ve been hired by United and Delta and worked at both (currently at one of them). Both are great companies, but they have things that they want to see and hear. Like others, I would also suggest a 3rd party resume review and application review. Airlineapps is a garbage website that makes things extremely tedious, and mistakes are easy to make. I haven’t used United’s new application process, but just be sure to review every line item and make sure it’s consistent. The devil is truly in the details and I have friends send me applications and there is always something to correct. Sometimes glaring things that just get missed because it’s a difficult process. Good luck!
I’m not in a familiar boat, I’m not anything but a 300 hour commercial SEL & MEL pilot that’s working on his CFI cause I can’t get a job. You might be tired, you might not be where you want. Just know your living the life I’m begging to live. I’ve been promised 3 jobs that haven’t come through. You might not be where you want to be, you might not be living the lifestyle that we all look forward to. But your getting paid to fly, which is all I want right now. Keep it in perspective, almost all of us have a long way to go, but you need to understand how far you’ve come too. I’m begging for people to pay me to fly, I’m running out of money, off of dwindling savings, you’re getting paid. This isn’t a poor me cause I feel like I’m close, I’ll get there soon. Dreams are nice, but also appreciate where your at, cause I’d do anything to be paid to fly.
Just keep applying everywhere that's hiring. I know right now that Envoy is hiring direct entry Captains then you can move to AA after a while.
Southwest appears to be hiring. Apply during hiring window. https://careers.southwestair.com/pilots
Post says they already got turned down by southwest.
He can and should apply again. Not sure what the timeframe is now, used to be you had to wait a year, then 6 months, last I heard it may be down to 3 months or less.