High Flight is out of touch with current hiring policies. Leadership? No way. Here's how it goes today:

1. Who you know. If you have someone on the inside, especially if they're in the airline's management or training department, you're golden. Especially if you're the offspring of someone in those positions.

2. Community service. More and more as the HR departments take over, this is an important factor. God know why, but they're impressed with how much you "care" about your fellow man.

3. Check Airman/Standards IP. Military or civilian, makes no difference.

4. TPIC. The more the better.

5. Appearance. Some more than others. Make sure your interview suit is clean and you wear it properly. If you're not used to wearing a uniform, take a look at pictures of the airline you're applying to and try to look as much like they do as possible.