Sink r8

Ditto!

Without any doubt, this is the feel-good thread of the year!

MikeF16

I submitted my application around 9 August last year. Here is the information you asked for, I hope it helps.

Approximately 3300 fighter/trainer hours, most of that PIC, about 1/2 instructor. IP in T-37, T-38, and F-16. F-16 SEFE for 1 year, DO for 2 years, chief of safety (interim) and chief of flight safety for 1 year, never a chief pilot, a little over 100 civilian hours, CFII, no type-ratings. High school GPA 3.14, U Iowa Electrical Engineering 3.09, Masters from ERAU 4.0. 3 speeding tickets, last one was in 1997, no accidents/incidents/Q3s. No nepotism, 2 internals, 4 externals from commanders and former coworkers who are now at other airlines. Retiring 31 December, listed availability of 15 September (and due to some unexpected leave, I'm probably going to have to push back my availability date 1-2 weeks).

DAL73n

Do everything you can to get the earliest class you can. One class difference of 30 slots (per class) could really make a significant difference for your entire career. Reserve/Lineholder, Better Schedule, earlier pay raises - the seniority issue never ends.

Scoop

I actually think it might be the top 33 1/3% since the applications are scored and placed into three separate tiers.

But I agree that the cream rises to the top and we are currently interviewing the top guys and gals. All good.

Scoop

Purple Drank

I do get this...but I took the latest class I was offered. Needed a break from the AF meat grinder. With minimal vacation for the foreseeable future, it was keenly important to have some untouchable family time. The fam paid the price while I was gone so much. Didn't want to jump right back into it. Still started class on terminal leave, but I made the decision knowing the risks. I don't regret it one bit.

ghilis101

I sort of agree with you Purple, despite the fact that I wouldn't take your advice I wouldn't pass up the seniority, but I get that family is more important and the decisions you make are based on whats important to you. And to side with you, even if he loses 30 numbers in seniority, will he realistically ever exercise that seniority at the exact moment that it comes up? Its probably rare that people operate on such tight margins that they would be in or out of a category if they were only just 30 numbers more senior, in a system of 11,000 pilots. Pilots tend to bid something when they can be completely comfortable in it seniority wise. So I guess deferring a class or 2 wont kill him, but we shall see.

badflaps

The job is what is important, I seen senior guys turn it into crap, junior guys roses. It is yours to handle.

Spudhauler

I wasn't in the military, so I'll take Purple at his word. I'm sure a break after many years in the Air Force would be great before starting training at a brand new job. However, a guy who was hired two classes ahead of me endured a 2 plus year furlough, and I was out 4.5 years. Every number matters, even with a large pilot group. I hope no one ever goes through that crap again, but my two cents is get to class as soon as possible, not just for seniority within a category, but overall.

Flycameron

That's a good thought but I think it might be the top 5% of tier 1 although I read a post a while back of a guy that said AK told him was in tier 2 and he had an interview as well. Who really knows but it at least appears that GPA is a huge part of determining your score. They rank your degree, school you attended, your GPA and how long it took you to get your degree. I have yet to hear of one civilian that has less than a 3.7 GPA get an interview.

ghilis101

Good point Spud. In my naivity, Im basing this off the gangbusters hiring that makes it appear that 2014 new hires will enjoy the "never been furloughed" status that the 20+ year DAL and NWA pilots have from their hiring booms in their era. Of course that's making some huge assumptions and positive expectations, none of which are guaranteed. While I barely escaped furlough at my current airline, I did see my brother endure a painful furlough that certainly left a mark and made us both a little apprehensive, and I certainly sympathize for all those who have been furloughed, gone through concessions, lost pensions or had them frozen, and a myriad of other unfortunate things this industry has thrown at them. With that being said, the future looks very very bright.