Originally Posted by Long Landing

I am involved with hiring at the regional level and while it’s not as competitive as the majors obviously I think the biggest thing that people forget when they come into these interviews and apply to these positions is that I am hiring you for two reasons: to be a pilot and to be an EMPLOYEE. And yes, there is a large difference. Everyone that comes for the interview is a qualified pilot and can fly the plane and while some may fly better than others the number of hours you have, where you learned to fly, or where you got your college degree from isn’t an indicator of that. I have interviewed people changing airlines who have 5,000+ hours and they have never had an emergency, never had a real issue that they needed to manage in the flight deck outside of the usual unruly passenger or uncooperative crew member. However I have had brand new 1500 hour CFI’s who have had 2-3 major issues such as electrical failures, engine failures, fires, etc. So in reality as much as we like to tell ourselves that hours matter they in fact are a small portion. The BIGGEST thing that is looked at in candidates, and yes I work for one of the currently “picky” regionals, is how they will be as an employee. Will that person bring my company into good light both inside or outside of the flight deck. Will they go home, take off their uniform, and do nothing. I get it. People have different circumstances. Families, side jobs, etc. But there is no reason someone can’t find a half a dozen days a year to volunteer or take on a secondary position in the company, most of them which pull time away from flying the line so you don’t work any extra. Take your kids to volunteer with you. Your wife too. Teach them the value of that at a young age. I guarantee that you will make yourself look like a much better person because of it. I see many applications that do just the bare minimum but when I see someone that took time to volunteer or get involved in their community/school/church/company or whatever that immediately catches my eye and does the same to any HR employee or pilot recruiter out there. Just because you go to roadshows or you update your app 365 days a year doesn’t show anyone you will be a good employee. Going above and beyond to better yourself and the world around you will.

Originally Posted by Long Landing

I would be willing to do west coast but would probably be commuting so the farthest would probably be Minneapolis...