Knotcher

I would think the lower time guys, feeling just lucky to be there, probably are a little more motivated and more pliable with less negative interference.

That said it is one thing just to get through training, but real world experience from the line is very valuable as well. I'm not impressed by a low time hot shot that aces the sim but hasn't seen much else.

ReadyRsv

Without making a comment on what makes a legit hire... 1000 or 2000 more hours on a CRJ doesn’t really affect your ability to learn a 737. Judgement and leadership etc. of course, but the younger guys closer to college probably have the advantage, less to forget and such.

mmm123

It might be Hoss however UAL has always mixed in hiring like that from the 60, 78-79 and beyond. I am not saying it's right or wrong but seems like they always have a wide range in the hiring process.

iHateAMR

You missed the point, your time in a soup kitchen or washing puppies makes you a better pilot.

Floyd

What about washing dishes in the back of a Korean restaurant while lovingly feeding and tending to their "Kitchen" dogs? Multitasking, the sign of a great airline pilot.

oldmako

crewdawg

From a buddy in the training department here at DAL, it seems to be the same over here. More specifically for the mil guys, it seems to be old fighter pilots who've only flown fighters their entire careers.

Dave Fitzgerald

Quite a few older retired military who never intended an airline career. Couple of years out of the cockpit, now considering a bonus career. Nothing against them, it just takes more time to get back in the swing. I'm not surprised at the extra training, new skillset after being retired for a while. It'll take longer.

Grumble

It’s understandable. You’re brought up in a culture bred to convince you you’re the best, and many of them are. However fighter aviation is very canned and scripted in the larger picture of aviation and some of them don’t quite realize what they’re getting into. Spending months going to/from the whiskey areas and ranges is very different than launching on a domestic four day from ORD in Feb. Airline training is geared towards cost effectiveness and getting you legal to produce revenue, military training is not. Your experience is gained on the line, you leave the school house knowing what you need to be legal, not necessarily proficient. For a retired O-6 you need to think like a 2LT and be ready to be the new guy, some can, some struggle. They both have their challenges and dynamics, but there is almost no overlap. So long as you show up ready to learn and convince yourself “I don’t know dookie about this” most will be fine. You’ve already proven you can fly and learn.

Before you flame me I came from the fighter world.

crewdawg

Also from the the fighter world and agree 100% with your post.