Any worthwhile updates from PAPA?

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theoriginalturk@reddit

From another person that went

I went today and talked to all of the regionals, or regional equivalents. What i got out of it based on what the recruiters told me.

-Everyone is slow and it is very competitive (think 4000 applicants for most places), but pretty much everyone is hiring, just primarily through partner programs/cadet programs.

-Keep updating your resume and working towards quality time. I had multiple recruiters tell me that they are seeing a lot of cfi's come up with 1000 hours in the pattern. They need to work on quality time as well because they are getting to training and really struggling/ With how competitive it is right now, you have to show that you can do more.

-A couple told me that by the time people are getting to the interviews they can pass the technical questions, but not doing well on the HR portion. What makes them want you to be in the other seat. Being a cert holder with a pulse won't get you a job.

-They are looking for applicants that do things, not just fly. Be part of volunteer programs, be part of the community, try to work towards being a chief/assistant chief/company safety officer.

-get into cadet programs! most are doing 60-80% cadet program hiring.

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Grumbles19312@reddit

I hate seeing the comment about struggling in training at the regionals. Granted it’s been awhile since I’ve been at the regionals, but my memory hasn’t faded regarding how absolutely awful and hostile regional training programs were. At least at the regional I worked at it was when I was there. I was fortunate and didn’t have any issues but I seemed to be the exception, not the rule. Perhaps if they focused on developing programs that were actually conducive to learning it would help. But who knows, maybe now they have changed.

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prex10@reddit

It was so light and day from the two places I worked.

ZW was practically upfront vocal about how they will can you no questions asked if you the student even think about struggling.

9E is still probably the most pleasant training department I've encountered even including my legacy. Though I'm aware of 9Es past...

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Flyby4702@reddit

50% of my NH class got the ‘resign or you’re fired’ in training at ZW. I’ve hung my hat on that training since- if I made it through that, I could make it through any training program. Don’t get me wrong- I’m not lauding it at all, it just set the tone for me entering the industry (late 2018).

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swakid8@reddit

I agree, I say this as a former bluestreaker….

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Grumbles19312@reddit

You and me both brother. The victims of that program are large in number.

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nadi207@reddit

YX was really good, just the right amount of hand holding. The stories I’ve heard from other regionals though.

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Dependent-Place-4795@reddit

How are you supposed to get chief pilot or safety experience if you’re a 20 some year old flying for a large 135 / regional? No one is going to give some young kid those jobs.

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theoriginalturk@reddit

If your a 20 something flying a jet you’re already way ahead of the game

This was from regal recruiters: they’re looking for people to have these types of quals/experience out of flight school

That’s how picky they can be

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swakid8@reddit

They aren’t looking for chief pilot stuff on the resume… But things like having a CFII having done quite a bit of instrument instruction and a MEI with conducting multi instruction helps along with volunteering would go a long way….

If I am betting man, CFI who’s done only PPL students have shown a trend of not being instrument proficient and it’s slowing them down at regional airline training…. Regional airline training isn't designed as a to get someone instrument proficient….

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Right-Suggestion-667@reddit

I think I saw ur post on Facebook too. Great write up and lots of good advice!

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theoriginalturk@reddit

It’s not my post, I try not to post on FB much

I was just forwarding the info

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TxAggieMike@reddit

Thanks for this.

Regarding volunteering… look into being part of the FAASafety team as a representative.

You’ll be engaged in a good mission, and periodically doing presentations and webinars will provide opportunities to keep your knowledge sharp.

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Right-Suggestion-667@reddit

I got this off of the Facebook airline pilot interviews group

“Disclaimer - this is very casually wrote update so if you want to point out my grammer or trying to find reason I’m not good candidate for this this airline, please save your time.

Wanted to give quick update from PAPA. I’m ULCC captain aiming for Legacy airlines (2900TT, 300PIC, 1400 121 hrs). Had meet and greet scheduled for Delta and American. United was first come first serve, and too many unqualified candidate (instructors, less than 500 turbine) signed up for it when door opened at 8:30, by 8:40 no seat available. American had few spots for meet and greet on site but very limited. They were more focused on who were invited prior to the event.(I was invited). Delta didn’t have any spot on site.

I felt conference was not very well organized. Lining up for booth was everywhere. People keep asking “where does line start?” Or “is this line for oo airline?” Majority wore nice suit but I’ve seen shorts and jeans and even T shirts with their full tatoo exposed. Most beneficial booth for me was spitfire where they reviewed my resume and made suggestions here and there.

Overall hiring for 1500 CFIs were not good. Not sure for regionals but non of LCCs and ULCCs are hiring right now. There were huge lines for all the regionals. Not as long line for LCCs.

Spirit and Sun Country were there, Frontier was not there. Fedex was there but no UPS.

Delta - captain I spoke to told me 3000TT is magic number. Most of new hire class is around 3000-5000TT. Didn’t mentioned about PIC hours. He didn’t mention when class will begin again.

American - Really depends on who you speak to at meet and greet. I heard they are giving out CJOs but I didn’t get one. FO I talked to told me to build more PIC time. They are planned to hire 1200 pilots this year not sure how many of that spot has filled up.

United - mostly giving CJOs to military and Aviate flow. Of the street is around 5-6000TT. It was more like “I am still interested in United” type meet and greet.

Hawaiian, Alaska - HA opened their app window for this fall class. They will combine apps on Aug and you need to choose which seniority you want to be at. They are keeping 330s, and getting delivery for their 787, but nothing firm on their 321s.

All three legacies I’m aiming at told me to build more time (PIC/TT) where I’m at and Delta and American told me by end of year there may be a spot for me.

Good luck everyone and fly safe👍”

-anonymous participant

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IM_REFUELING@reddit

Even for a 'casually wrote' post, this dude is borderline illiterate

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ltcterry@reddit

“Grammer” is always important :)

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HotRecommendation283@reddit

It wasn’t that bad lmao

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Bandolero101@reddit

english is his/her 2nd language, probably

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TraxenT-TR@reddit

A big thing is bachelor degrees. Lot of people don't have them surprisingly and are being told to make that up with for hours. Like that applicant above (assuming hes at my shop if new captain at ULCC) seems to have been hired at 1500 hours so likely a cadet from somewhere like ATP flight school. I feel like you would get more than a "keep building time" if you have 300PIC hours already especially in the A320 especially from UA/DL.

Could be totally wrong about all of this but from what I know that degree really does make up a lot of ground in getting looked at.

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findquasar@reddit

Gosh, it’s almost like in a competitive hiring environment, airlines want to hire pilots who will do more than the bare minimum published qualifications.

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TraxenT-TR@reddit

Yes absolutely. Makes me thankful I have a degree… granted should’ve just gotten it from a community college lol

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J0E_Blow@reddit

remindme! 72 hours

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[-]

Bandolero101@reddit

From someone I know that went -

Delta total time more than 3000 Tpic doesn’t really matter Volunteer is good. Next class mid next year, but still handing out interviews and cjo

United Not many seats available for off street hiring Mostly military program and aviate Off street total more than 5000, close to 6000 Tpic doesn’t really matter but helps

American Total time more than 3000 emphasized Tpic a lot

From a different person I know that went -

United said 3000 ish turbine time. One of the pilots said he hasn’t personally seen anyone under 6000 total time.

Delta said 2-3000 turbine time plus lots of community service and volunteer work. Hawaiian said 500 turbine PIC.

Didn’t get a chance to talk to American

——

i feel like the united number drops next year with the orders going through, but other than that, you’re in a good spot with the Captain time

[-]

Iforgotmypassword23@reddit

Regarding the volunteering advice, I have gotten this advice from my meet and greets, but the same recruiters never ask me about the volunteering I have on my resume. I have to bring it up. The fact they have such little interest is my current volunteering makes the criticism fall flat.

Is it because my volunteer experience isn’t aviation related (or a big name like habitat for humanity) so they aren’t familiar with it?

I should mention, the volunteering advice is rarely the first thing out of their mouth. It’s usually “hours competitive, good leadership experience, maybe get some 121 time, and volunteer”

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LootenantTwiddlederp@reddit

Also a decent update from United during their hiring update brief, they’re adding 200 more pilots on top of their 2025 classes

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midgelino@reddit (OP)

Great info, thanks for sharing!

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Bandolero101@reddit

Get to some fairs if you can. I know someone who got a Delta CJO with just 350 hours TPIC at a regional like 2 months ago?

You will get your number called with persistence, keep pushing

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midgelino@reddit (OP)

Thank you very much!

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TooLow_TeRrAiN_@reddit

They tell people different things based on if they like you or not, I can tell you for a fact AA won’t touch anyone without TPIC no matter how good your extracurriculars are. As far as United and delta goes, 3k-5k TT seems to be the general consensus if they liked the convo they had with you. I know people personally who have 2800-2900 TT and got the interview invite.

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B1G_D11CK_R111CK_69@reddit

Rumor is the training department is driving the need for TPIC at AA.

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IM_REFUELING@reddit

TPIC has always been the spice melange, the industry just happened to get so desperate for hires for a couple years that they paused their pursuit of the spice for that time. Now things are reverting to the norm, though still pretty favorable compared to 10+ years ago.

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swakid8@reddit

AA has always been a wanting TPIC airline historically… The last hiring boom hiring folks without TPIC was outside their norms…

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EdBasqueMaster@reddit

That is interesting to me. From my understanding, even during the crazy times, AA still wanted TPIC from almost all of their applicants. They had the least amount of right seat to right seat hires from the big three.

Did your rumor come from the inside?

I certainly don’t doubt it btw, as it’s very believable, I just thought AA hadn’t wavered much on their strong desire for TPIC historically.

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TooLow_TeRrAiN_@reddit

I heard the same

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Joe_Littles@reddit

Military? PIC?

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Bandolero101@reddit

2800-2900 got the interview with ual or dal?

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TooLow_TeRrAiN_@reddit

UAL

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Bandolero101@reddit

good for that guy (or gal). anything special w the resume?

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TooLow_TeRrAiN_@reddit

Both left regional, one went major the other went ACMI, no TPIC, they did some volunteering and went to a few conferences

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Bandolero101@reddit

shit that’s nice, and they just recently got the CJO? both of themv

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TooLow_TeRrAiN_@reddit

One has it other one is going for interview in a couple weeks

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AppleAvi8tor@reddit

I went. But I am of the perspective of a R-ATP (1000) eligible CFI with 1150 TT.

Overall, from what I heard of the legacies, they want 3000-5000 TT. I’m sure specifically TPIC. From the regional standpoint, they want so much turbine time, and are really only hiring from cadet programs, and little off the streets (80% cadet, 20% streets one airline said). I talked to CommuteAir and the recruiter said all my qualifications were “fantastic” (1150 TT, 250 XC, 220 ME, ATP written completed)…BUT they are looking for turbine time…she then said I should look into a King Air gig.

My classmate from my 141 school was a recruiter for Endeavor and he basically said they are only hiring Delta Propel.

Republic recruiter said to apply on their website and not airlineapps because it is slowly going extinct. The regionals are all moving to their own apps. They said they are hiring off the street for about 50% of classes.

GoJet only wants Aviate cadets.

SkyWest pretty much is only hiring their cadets.

PSA and Envoy seemed like they were hiring a lot, and through some friends of mine who are Captains, one at each company, who knew the recruiters, an hour after speaking with Envoy I received an email for an interview. PSA recruiter told me to tell my Captain friend to email someone specific to move my app.

Overall, a gloomy industry still. I was lucky to come out with something though.

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Dependent-Place-4795@reddit

Funny the regionals say they want turbine time, I have 1,000 turbine and ATP CTP and can’t get more than a single interview. Radio silence from commuteair

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Tony_Three_Pies@reddit

I guess I could ask him but my dad doesn’t really know anything about the aviation industry.

I’ll see my self out.

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midgelino@reddit (OP)

Fries in the bag Tony!

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rFlyingTower@reddit

This is a copy of the original post body for posterity:

Any hiring updates? Fun new rumors? Anything to give a lowly regional captain some false hope?

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