Aviate Program Update

On Monday January 25, United broadcast a Microsoft Teams presentation on the "State of Aviate". Aviate is the program United has developed to find the best candidates and increase opportunities for our pilot hiring pipeline. Under Aviate, United has partnered with several airlines, Part 135 operators, universities, and FAR part 141 flight schools.

United MEC Chairman Captain Todd Insler was a featured speaker during the presentation. He focused on ALPA's extensive involvement in the program and was joined by United Airlines President Brett Hart and Aviate team leader Captain Curt Brunjes. Mr. Hart stressed the importance of attracting the best talent and reiterated that United gains strength through diversity, equity, and inclusion. Captains Insler and Brunjes then conducted a question-and-answer session to close out the presentation.
United plans to be in a competitive position emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic. Considering the pilots who have left the seniority list in the P-VSL program, as well as traditional retirements, United hopes to begin hiring pilots in late 2021. If 2019 levels of flying return, so must a commensurate compliment of flight crews. To match 2019 levels, approximately 1000 pilots will have to be hired and trained in the next year or year and a half.

While the traditional sources of pilots remain to fill vacancies, the Aviate program will begin to interview new potential candidates on February 22, 2021.