Originally Posted by TED74

Your average 121 OTS applicant has probably basically done the job he's walking in to for years if not decades, no? Maybe it's been in smaller equipment (or larger), maybe for poorer compensation, but all in all, that guy or gal just keeps on keeping on, no?

Your average F-16 retiree may not have touched a flap lever in two decades. He (or she) may never have shot a CAT II or CAT III approach, or used an autopilot that does anything more than maintain heading and altitude. He may never have de-iced, worked with a flight attendant, seen ACARS, programed an FMS, made a cabin announcement, rolled backwards in an airplane?!?, or crossed the pond. It could be that he hasn't referenced a checklist (for other than emergency procedures), verbally briefed an approach, or transferred aircraft control to someone else for years. It doesn't surprise me in the least that mil pilots might struggle during their initial training. In fact, if these pilots can be as successful as they are, it almost makes you wonder if the former 121 pilots' training is not a bit of overkill?

So why EVER choose to interview the latter over the former? My guess is because Delta isn't hiring people to be first-year probationary first officers, or to water the eyes of some instructor on the first full motion sim event. They are hiring future captains who will have several years to learn the intricacies of part 121 under the tutelage of highly experienced captains before they themselves become much LESS experienced captains (than their predecessors) flying with MUCH less experienced first officers than those now in so many right seats. And 99% of the time, the job really is pretty easy…but when it's hard, experiences other than "more 121 time" might just be worth having. It's notable that Sully came to the 121 world from an F-4 background, and things turned out pretty well on the Potomac.

That notional F-16 pilot started his (or her) career, and continued progressing in it, by out-performing most if not all of his peers…many of whom were themselves well above average pilots and leaders. And because many of them are literally battle-tested and have shown themselves to be competent under pressure while killing bad people or saving good ones. It's not unlikely that he's been roused out of a deep sleep to be airborne 5 minutes later, intercepting a lost doctor in his Bonanza at night while flying tired on night vision goggles, or maybe dropping bombs in close proximity to friendly forces. He's certainly been responsible for the careers and possibly lives of several people…if not dozens, or hundreds, or thousands under his command or influence. He may have delivered the worst news possible to family members of those for whom he was responsible - subordinates who gave the ultimate sacrifice. He might have managed to keep his household functional and maybe even happy between and during multiple 6-, 12- or 24-month overseas deployments. He's probably worked at least 6 months (if not 36) doing some non-flying job for which he was never actually trained and may not have enjoyed for one second, and it's likely he did so rather well. He's probably made difficult and life-altering decisions affecting people he cared for, and/or people he may never have met, with only limited and conflicting background information.

Perhaps military pilots in each branch and in each platform have (on AVERAGE, of course) just been exposed to, and overcame, enough hurdles and challenges that the lack of actual 121 time isn't a concern to the Delta hiring team. It could be for United, who seems to be hiring fewer all-military applicants.

I'd certainly be interested to hear what active pilots with Delta think about the performance of Mil vs Civ by the time these pilots reach Captain at a major. My hunch (I'm ready to stand corrected) is that there just isn't a difference beyond the first year of employment.