Originally Posted by Ellen

No kidding . . .? I never knew that! It's done that way because there has to be a logical place to START the senority based numbering system so you have a place in line when your number is called to upgrade (PROVIDING, you meet the conditions to do so . . . I believe at SKYW it's 2,500 TT and 1,000 Part 121 line experience)

Interviewing and receiving a Conditional Offer of Employment is almost as good as being hired UNLESS you choose not to fulfill the conditions for your employment. . . like the additional 150 hours one needs to pad their log book so one can start ground school, or the ability to pass the FBI's Criminal History Records Check.

In addition, Conditional Offers of Employment are routinely offered in almost ALL businesses, because it offers an OUT for the employer, without any LEGAL ramifications, if they change their mind, whether it's your class start date or if they choose not to hire you at all for whatever reason.

If you accept an Unconditional Offer and the company tries to withdraw the offer, you can sue for breach of contract, and vice versa. That's why it's done this way in case you don't understand.