Returning to Aviation after 6 years, What should I do to get back in?
 

Hello fellow pilots,

I have flown for a reputable airline for almost 5 years collecting a little over 2,200 total hours on Embraer 175/195. However, I got terminated for being undisciplined (mostly showing up late for flights and not showing at all on a few occasions). That was during the last 6 months I worked at that airline. I had a rough patch during that period.

6 years later, now, I'm sitting for the ATP theoretical exams and have a current and valid pilot license, although the type rating has expired.

I'm able to afford a type rating training at my own expense in the prospect of a contract. That being said, I'm having a really hard time finding a job, I usually meet the minimum requirements with the exception of the "Date of last flight", which is usually 12 months prior joining.

Has anyone been in this situation before? What to do now? I'll appreciate any tips immensely.

Thank you.

showing up late for flights and not showing at all on a few occasions :=

I'm able to afford a type rating training at my own expense :=

A lot of employers don't deserve the respect, that they themselves believe they do! Many contracts are not worth the paper it's written on, when the employer doesn't want your services anymore. So, mate, good on you, for showing them what they deserve. Pilot's are expected to have discipline, and you can still have that on the flight deck, yet not showing it towards the employment contract. Back on the horse and if the future employer is worth it - you show up for work - if not, hell no. The days of mutual respectful relationships with the "other side" are long gone. With race to the bottom - the industry gets what it deserves. Good luck and welcome back.

If I look at what I was like when I was in my early twenties, goodness sake, good thing there was no facebook or twitter back then. I'm glad OP is honest enough to admit his own mistakes, a definite sign of growing up so no need to pass on any judgement...

RoyalDuke, I have seen these requirements myself and quite frankly they never specify whether the last flight in the 12 month period has to be on an airliner or a cessna.. if your ME-IR is valid would you not have had your last flight within 12 months? If not, go get couple of refresher lessons on ME/IR and off you go!

Nowadays there is little to no regard to each one's experience. In my present airline we have Captains from reputable flag carriers around the world who are paying tens of thousand of dollars to fly the airbus on the left seat. Don't ask me why they do that, my point is that you'll be seen as a cadet, you'll be treated as a zero hour pilot and you will be expected to pay the same amount everyone else is paying. Your past experience will play on your favour during line training but it will not tick any box for recruitment.

I'm not saying it's fair, I am just giving a heads up as I have witnessed several examples of valid pilots who have been sitting for years, waiting for a fair chance, only to end up having to go through the same path as the rest of cadets. The only difference is they have wasted a couple of years for nothing.