Airline pilot RTW after a long stop

[milehighclub]

I’ve been off from flying the line for about 10 years, for medical reasons, but recently i found out that i could be fit again to fly in the near future.

Anyone who has been through it ( medical, training, line indoc, flying the line, etc…) could share his/her experience (good and bad)?

I am a little anxious about it, even if there is a great team at my company to welcome me (union, training dept, rtw protocol, etc…).

I don’t know anyone around me who has been off that long…

I have flown the line for about 20 years, but did not follow anything related to aviation for the past 10 years.

Thanks for your help/advices !

[justwork]

I took 6 years off. Came back as a DEC on a small business jet, like riding a bike. I had close to 10,000TT when I stopped flying in 2018. Same boat as you, medical reasons.

FYI if you think you can be fit again, start the process. Transport Canada Civil Aviation Medicine is absolutely, without question, the poorest organization in terms of being organized, communicating and being remotely efficient. IMO they strive for the absolute bottom of the barrel in terms of everything. Be prepared for them to request medical exams, then request the same ones 6 months later because they actually didn't check your file to see if you had the tests completed. Also be prepared to send them the raw data from medical exams instead of the specialists interpretation of the test - I guess their doctors do not trust other Canadian doctors because science.

You might get lucky if you just tell them you identify as a pilot who is medically fit.

[DHC-1 Jockey]

I left a regional 705 operator in 2014 to try a different career for a while. That different career didn't work out, but I don't regret giving it a try. In 2017, I started applying back to the airlines and reaching out to my contacts which ended up with me getting hired at another 705 operator as an F/O on the 737. During the interview, I asked if it was a detriment that I didn't have a current Group-1 IFR and if I should renew it at my own expense, but they said not to worry about it and that it would be renewed in the SIM during the PPC.

It probably helped that I had almost 5,000 hours when I re-applied and a little bit of jet time (less than 50 hours). But, if you have the right mix of experience and some good references who will get your name to the right people in the hiring department, it's very possible to get back in the game after a long time away.

[milehighclub]

I know that TC will basically be a crap shoot, if i am lucky enough to go back at flying. As my airplane as been phased out, training on a brand new type will be the challenge for me…

But, in my mid fifties, what i fear the most is going back on the line. Not sure i am still tough enough to manage the abuse…

[JungleRiot]

Took 2 years off because I had "unacceptable views" during a very dark period in our history. Had about 2100 at the time and finally applied when the restrictions were lifted, did the interview and they got back to me with an offer no more than 2 hours later. (Large 705 carrier)

2 years out of the cockpit definitely made me a bit rusty, let alone 10 for you. Investing some money in a basic home sim setup with definitely help with the transition. Relearning SOP concepts was also a bit of a challenge at first, but was quickly mitigated by locking myself in a hotel room and investing in a dozen bags of coffee.

[DanWEC]

I've had 2 leaves of up to 2.5 years. Both times returning to the same company and same a/c family. It was just as expected refreshing (More like retraining) everything. You'll obviously get through the training but for me I could easily see a mental change happening while I was off in addition to the procedural rust. A little blissful laziness I suppose. Takes a while for things to speed up again but it does happen- you're a pilot after all and always will be! The other thing was discovering how much of a physical toll the actual job takes. After a few weeks back on the line I realized I was just a little bit tired, all the time. Only noticed it once I returned because that sensation was completely absent while out of the cockpit. You get used to it again, (It doesn't go away per se, you just adapt to it) and it's fine, but it's an interesting discovery and gives you some perspective.

[JBI]

Left flying for 10 years. Got back into it more as a hobby but with the idea that perhaps I'd like to get back in the air full time.

Had to re-write the P-STAR, do a Commercial equivalent check-out with an instructor after a few dual lessons in a 172 and then re-did my IFR. Everyone's different, but for me, I found a bit of time getting back to the very basics on a trainer and re-doing an IFR (used a Redbird sim based on a duchess) was very helpful. Some of the more complex stuff came back easier than expected when I had spent time just reviewing the basics.

The one caution I'll give is that airline specific training can be really varied. Many type rating courses assume currency in similar types. For example, you get into sim training, spend 10 minutes on regular take-offs/landings/straight and level and then it's Engine Failure and emergency after emergency. I found it a challenge to jump straight into the fire while still just trying to get used to regular ops.

[milehighclub]

Also, anybody got back to work after a long time and had to do an initial on a progressive rtw ?

Not following the full course sched with the same partner must be a challenge…

[flying4dollars]

I took 6 years off. Came back as a DEC on a small business jet, like riding a bike. I had close to 10,000TT when I stopped flying in 2018. Same boat as you, medical reasons.

FYI if you think you can be fit again, start the process. Transport Canada Civil Aviation Medicine is absolutely, without question, the poorest organization in terms of being organized, communicating and being remotely efficient. IMO they strive for the absolute bottom of the barrel in terms of everything. Be prepared for them to request medical exams, then request the same ones 6 months later because they actually didn't check your file to see if you had the tests completed. Also be prepared to send them the raw data from medical exams instead of the specialists interpretation of the test - I guess their doctors do not trust other Canadian doctors because science.

You might get lucky if you just tell them you identify as a pilot who is medically fit.

I feel rusty after being on vaca for a month, I can't imagine how I'd feel after 6 years off, let alone 20 like the OP

Good luck to ya OP! And welcome back!

[co-joe]

The worst, most expensive, and plain dumbest part is having to meet recency. The PSTAR and medical were easy, then you have to do flight training in a 172 and prove to an instructor that you meet the requirements of the license you have (CPL), you have to cover all the new exercises to the new standards TC added like the 180 forced, etc they sign your log book. The IPC is a cake walk by comparison, I did mine in a Red Bird after a few hours of dual. You'll need to apply for the ADB as well.