usafa03

Having internal recommendations is very important. How they are delivered and who they are from is less important.

Sliceback

Since they're not looked at until the final step at AA the value is suspect.

First you have to get selected by the computer. Accepted for, and pass , the online interview. Pass the F2F interview. Then the entire package gets reviewed by the final selection team. That's when the LOR's are reviewed.

There's a suspicion that there some 'top down' selections are being made. All indications are that it's MUCH smaller than it was in the past.

slimothy

Glad I could shed some light! It's definitely an interesting journey. Best of luck!

slimothy

One other bit of advice for going the regional route: make sure that you are able to live in domicile in the first year! I decided to join a regional that has NO west coast presence, and I live in San Diego. Commuting for poverty pay is bogus! Also, recent pay increases at most regional carriers is around $37/HR. Don't go anywhere that isn't keeping up with that. Republic is at $40, if you can live in domicile with them, you might be able to afford uniforms AND food. We are lucky to have that military pension, but still not enough to put us into the tax bracket we've gotten used to.

Regional life isn't as bad as it may seem, especially for retired military, there's a light at the end of the tunnel for us. 121 flying is a different world, and regional experience has really shaped my expectations and desires for my "forever job." Also, you meet and fly with some solid dudes, who, in my experience, have put my sense of entitlement in check. We are tourists at the regional, these guys have been slugging it out for 10-20 years, and are incredibly competent. They aren't going to get a call to a major before you!

Anyhow, I'm rambling. Nothing better to do while on reserve far from home. Keep me updated on your progress, I love to see poor rotor trash make good on the world.

FLY6584

Define "top down" selections...

usafa03

Higher ups in the company having input on who is selected for hiring. During our Delta interview, it was stressed to us that it didn't matter who recommended us, the scores that had earned us the invite to interview were based on our application, not our recommendations. We found out later that one of the guys had a recommendation from the CEO, and another had one from a senior VP. The only discriminator that seemed to make a difference was doing interview prep. The ones who skipped that failed their interviews and didn't get hired.

CODs4ever

I second that. I left active duty in 2004 and spent a year commuting from San Diego to DFW to be on reserve at American Eagle at like $18,000/year. Paying out of pocket for hotels & crash pads. Brutal. Of course I didn't have a military pension to fall back on, so after a year I had to bail out on the whole deal. Now looking to get back in the game again, but I am staying way clear of the regional route, even at $40 per hour. Still an insult to any pilot. But if you don't have any other way to build hours, well.....you gotta do what you gotta do.

Mattjax

SWA CJO

F-15A-D
3500 TT
3200 TPIC
1500 IP/SEFE
Masters - 4.0
10 internal recs

26 Oct interview
9 Dec CJO
20 Jan Class Date

6 weeks+ Interview to CJO. Good Luck!!

Flyboylazer

Got a fix it email 18 Dec from different airline. Made changes and replies by 24 Dec. Interview offer came today.

mrjiggs287

Congrats to all the new hires!!!

Can someone please give me a clue what I am doing wrong? Here are my stats:

2800+ TT
2400+ MEL
1650+ PIC (all heavy military)
750+ IP/EP
Masters w/3.9
BS w/ 3.7
Currently flying 121 for a regional making peanuts. Apps have been in to the Majors and Legacy guys for two years. Finally retired from the AF this summer and have been flying 121 for about 4 months. Several internal recs at DAL, UAL, AA and SWA. One friend sent an email to HR at DAL over 8 months ago. I have heard nothing but crickets. No "fix it" email. No "TBNT" emails. Nothing at all.

I will say I have not been to any hiring events yet. I planned to go to the last WIA but I ended up being in indoc at my regional during the conference. I will hit every single one I can from here on. But, being on reserve with no seniority will make that hit or miss.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.