mwa1

they hire who they want to. if they like you , you get hired.

OldSF3Dude

I love that reference a few posts above comparing being under-qualified to be an airline pilot to being under-qualified to work in a burger joint. I doubt this poster thought this argument through too much, but this comparison is exactly what is wrong with this industry!

In the late 90s I once had to sit through a lecture (in recurrent training) from a new airline CEO, about how running an airline was "exactly like making French fries". In other words, you can take any person off the street, and with limited training and experience, turn him into a competent pilot as easily as you could turn him into a fry cook. Just plug any old average person into the corporate machine. This CEO's philosophy was that McDonalds, Northwest, Mesaba, or whatever... it was all the same.

I still like to believe that my skill set took years to develope. Nothing against fry cooks (I used to be one), but I think being a good pilot takes much more seasoning.

Anyway, I got nothing against these guys with around 1000-2000 hours getting hired. I had 1300 when I got hired at my first airline. But, I do think it's odd that guys with thousands of hours don't get called. (I'm not on furlough by the way).

banja12

I like to think I'm a pretty likeable guy! I've always interviewed well, I'm just asking for a chance! There's a lot of deserving guys out there even more experienced than me who deserve a second look. If they're worried I'd be a "flight risk" then they don't know me and my situation very well. How does one convey that on a resume?! (If that truly is the problem)

NightHawk

bla, bla, bla. I DISAGREE. Experience is a measure of how qualified you are. I stopped reading when you referenced burgers and fries. We have lives at steak not burgers and fries.

ERJF15

Because usually ex 121 guys will more than likely leave the company after so much money has been invested in training. A individual that is new to 121 aviation is more likely to stay with the company much longer or make the company a career.

PapaUniform

I wasn't trying to be disrespectful, I was merely pointing out that it isn't fair to say anybody without 121 experience is under-qualified, because it simply isn't true. Just because you personally have 1600 turbine hours doesn't mean somebody with anything less is incapable, or even less capable, of flying a jet. There is a lot more to experience than the number of pages in ones logbook, although that definitely plays a part.

Personally, I'm at a loss as to why you haven't gotten a call, and wish you luck. I guess only a few people in the AE hiring department know the rationale, but its ultimately their decision.

Also, sorry if my "burger" analogy wasn't clear. I was more referring to the training required, not comparing the jobs themselves. Obviously the basic requirements to be a pilot require much more "seasoning" than do a fry cook. Generally, people could become a great fry cook faster than they could become a great pilot. Probably, a lot of people who could be a fry cook don't have the stuff to become a pilot. But, nonetheless, there is some training required for both.

NightHawk

The number of hours doesn't matter so much, but zero hours in the airplane DOES matter. As an F.O., one of you responsibilities is to assume captain duties in the even the captain becomes incapacitated. What if he kicks the bucket on you're first flight. Would you want you're family in the back of that plane? It's a matter of safety. And also captains make mistakes too, they can benefit more from 121 experienced pilots. If you're in ORD and you're captain is about to deviate from taxi instructions, are you gonna step on the breaks as a new hire? Probably not because you have no idea where you're at, you're doing checklists, and you don't have the guts to question the captain. An experienced F.O. is more able to catch mistakes, speak up and prevent deviations.

Flyby1206

Overqualified.

Overqualified.

You guys have great experience, but will jump as soon as DAL/SWA/FedEx start hiring in the future (as you should). The CFI with 1500TT and no 121 experience will be wide-eyed and giddy for at least 2-3+ yrs flying the line at Eagle until they realize "Hey wait a minute..."

Luv2Rotate

Not to flame guys but... The last few pages I've read B***hing about "why havent they called" or "they hired a CFI with 1000hrs and not me with 3000hrs and a type".
APPLY and dont hold your breath. If AE calls fantastic, if not oh well. I personally want to congratulate all those that have been hired on recently. Its a tough job market right now, you should be proud! As for the guys that say someone with no 121 background isnt qualified let me ask you this. Were you qual'd before your first 121 gig?
I have previous 121 time and thousands of hrs of PIC and still unemployed. This is the game we all have chosen to play. I can't wait to get back in the SUCK. In the meantime, I'll collect my weekly check and enjoy my nap.

Flyingdude

It is true that many people would try to go to DAL/SWA/FedEx, however, I think that you guys are missing one important point. For every 100 people that apply to these companies, they might hire 1 person. If I had a nickel for everytime I heard someone say just get your 1,000 PIC turbine and move on, then I would never have to fly again. But, where do these knuckleheads think that you are going to move on to? If you people think that just becuase you meet some minimum, then these companies will just hire you, your crazy.

Just trying to get people to understand, things don't work that way. All of those 100 people who apply meet the minimums, yet still the 1 only gets hired. Therefore, guys with high time aren't just going to jump ship, because where are they going to go? I interviewed at AE recently with 7,000 TT, PIC turbine time and lots of 121, 135, time and type ratings. If someone can tell me what major is hiring I would like to hear about it. Point is that just because you are higher time does not mean your just going to bolt, the industry won't allow it for most cases.