Datsun

With all the talk of majors picking up people with no PIC time, it sounds like regional new-hires with no PIC have something to look forward to. Sounds like getting upgraded or not doesn't matter anymore.

But...

Take Delta for instance. Straight from their site:

"When evaluating the flight time of applicants meeting the basic qualifications, consideration will be given to, among other things, quality, quantity, recency, and verifiability of training; complexity of aircraft flown; types of flight operations; and hours flown as PIC in turbine powered aircraft."

Also, there is some recent speak on the majors side of this forum talking about the "tiers" applications are put into based on the above. PIC time was mentioned. Delta is likely not the only carrier that is this way.

There is also talk of it being cheaper for the majors to hire off the street versus from the regionals, point being that doing so generates only one training event versus two or three (regional loses a FO, major trains a FO, regional trains a replacement FO [2 events], OR regional loses a FO, major trains a FO, regional trains (upgrades) a FO to replace the CA and also trains a replacement FO [3 events]). Could this factor in, especially as it pertains to a regional FO at a wholly-owned who aspires to work for the respective mainline?

So, it seems that new entrants with no PIC may want to think twice about who they go to. For some carriers PIC time seems to still be "unofficially required".

"Don't chase an upgrade" may not be good advice after all.

Thoughts?