Originally Posted by
123494
Bump. If someone wanted to become a Chief Pilot at their regional, what advice would you give to prepare for the job? Pointers could include how to interview for it, what type of experience one should have, etc. Thanks.
For professional organizations...
They typically but not always want experienced captains, typically also check airmen. Usually people who have been around a while and have credibility. I have seen rare FO CP's, but they are typically going to be retired Colonels, or have some other heavy-hitter management experience at a previous job.
To work your way up from line pilot, get involved in the training dept. as an FO (ground and/or FTD instructor), then get LCA and/or sim instructor as a CA. You'll want your name and face to be known to the bosses (in a good way). Volunteer for anything that comes up on the company side, LOSA, etc. Union volunteer work might help too, but maybe not if you're leading the charge on something contentious (there are plenty of non-contentious things the union does too).
For some bottom feeders...
Decline to join the union. Suck up to managers. Or get elected to the MEC and sell out a major contract. Good things will come your way soon.