rjpurgatory

I wish I knew what to tell everyone out there. I have a rec. in for a friend of mine at the regionals. He has around 6,000tt 1,200pic, a glider rating, is ex USAF ATC, has three other internals besides me and this is the only company he would ever work for if offered the job, but he can't even get the on-line assessment sent to him. It just sounds so completely random and is frustrating to those of us on the inside as well.

I can say this. We run at about 75 block hours per pilot per month which equates to 6-7 crews per plane. As we add one plane a month we will upgrade between 6-8 FO's to the left seat. In order to replace those upgrades and add staffing for the next delivery we will need to put 12-16 new hires in the right seat every month through 2016, and this is what we are hearing from the head office as well. From what I understand, applicants can try again after 12 months. We have well over 10,000 applicants with an average of 11,000+ total time. It will be a long time before we see 1,500 pilots on the property and slow, controlled growth is still working in favor of the hiring people.

That being said, the FAA is going to make 1,500tt the minimum to get on with a regional, there are only 60,000 student pilots in the U.S. of which maybe 3,000 will make it to the commercials (according to some survey which I read an article about), and the age 65 rule will run out by the end of 2012. I wouldn't be surprised if there is a massive shortage of pilots in this country by mid-decade. Unfortunately none of this helps my buddy or any of you today.

Good luck everyone!

Fishfreighter

Its an MOU, not an order. MOUs are agreements to negotiate for aircraft deliveries. Don't count your chickens before they're delivered. jetBlue was going to have 200 Airbi by 2006.

NEDude

We all appreciate your concern and advice. Now go back to your own playground.

Zapata

Perhaps your haircut wasn't metro enough.

Seriously, I know it's frustrating as I was in similar situation several years ago when I interviewed with Jet Blue. It just so happens that them turning me down was a blessing in disguise because shortly afterwards, I got a great job.

73inEurope4now

Positive attitude my friend, positive attitude! The half empty glass way of thinking will get you nowhere...
The airline industry is poised to come back stronger than you might think!

NEDude

Very sorry to hear you are having trouble. I wish I knew the code as well. I cracked it, but frankly am puzzled as to how I did it. My understanding is there are well over 10,000 qualified applications on file, and with recent announcements, the number coming in has skyrocketed. We are only hiring 16 pilots per month. So even if only 10% who interview actually get hired, that is only 160 out of over 10,000 qualified applicants even getting the chance to interview each month. The numbers are just that overwhelming.

Keep your chin up - the industry will turn around in a couple of years with age 65, new rest requirements and the new ATP requirement all kicking in soon. Having three furloughs under my belt, I know it can be frustrating. Best of luck.

4andCounting

I tend to agree. This industry is soooo cyclical. All signs are pointing to a swing in momentum for both our companies and our labor groups. With an increase in total flying by the paying public, coupled with the overal reduction in national capacity; All companies will have sronger pricing power moving into 2011. As long at this shakey recover continues to hold. In addition with the recent passing of the 1500hr and rest rules there are bound to be many more positions available in the US for us to fill. Eventually this hopefully will give us all a better barganing position to get better contracts.

Good luck to us all.

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