Originally Posted by
billyho
Where did anyone say you are guaranteed a job at a major?? I know a bunch of good pilots that didn't get hired at any of the Majors but have recently gone to American because of the Flow. I've also seen many that probably didn't deserve a job at a major get a job either through the flow or our Pref. Hiring. We had a few FO's with no PIC time get hired at American through Pref. Hiring So what's the point???
The quick upgrade is important today because we are about to see 1,000 upon 1,000 of pilots retiring over then next 10 years. We are seeing a window that probably occurs once every 25-30 years. Yes everyone is going to get a shot if they want but it doesn't mean they will get hired. Having a Flow is a great Get out of Jail Card to have if all else has failed. And that will get pilots. Just because you come to ENY, PSA or PDT doesn't mean you have to go to American. And if it's a big deal then get your PIC time and go to Virgin, JetBlue, or Alligiant and then apply to American and I'm sure you'll still get an interview.
I think you're missing my point. I'm sure you would agree with me that it is not a good thing if the only way to AA is through a flow. And there shouldn't be any "get out of jail free cards" in the first place. This is a profession- and I hate when people fail to give this job the professionalism it demands. I see too many people already in the regionals who act like children and look like slobs. A "get out of jail card" aka guaranteed job at AA isn't going to help that. (The I don't get paid enough to care excuse is just that- an excuse, and a poor one) Just because PSA hired someone doesn't mean they deserve a job at AA. Sorry thats a major annoyance of mine.
And I'm saying that many are suggesting that a quick upgrade is a fast track to a job at a major, it is not. It is a fast track to TPIC time. Logging time is the easy part. Getting the job is the hard part, which you still have to be successful at. Many dismiss the second half of the equation or imply that it will come just as easily as when their number got called to upgrade. Im speaking in general terms about the general consensus on this forum.
And finally, if you put two job candidates up against each other for a job, one FO with no PIC time who has a good attitude, goes to job fairs, networks, volunteers, has good grades, well rounded personality and carries himself as a true professional vs. a line captain with some TPIC who's simply "whinging for a call", the FO gets (at least) the interview, and probably the job every time. Just because you needed 1000 TPIC 15 years ago doesn't mean thats what major airlines are looking for today.