Originally Posted by
multipilot
What's the story with FE hiring direct entry captains? I checked out their hiring page out of sheer curiosity and see they have a position open for Captains. I am currently a Citation X PIC. The schedule and QOL, at least on the surface, look similar to what I am doing now. The operator I work for now though has no longer become an end in and of itself.
Also, and I apologize if this has been asked before, how strict are they regarding the requirement to live within 1 hour of an airport with airline service? I live 10 mins from a regional airport that has regional airline service, maybe 4-5 flights a day, but about an hour and a half away from a major hub.
Hey Multi,
The Company is hiring Direct Entry Captains because of unprecedented growth (and some attrition, I’m sure…).. The Company historically avoided hiring “Street Captains” because they know that promoting from within first is key to morale, and that by hiring Captains off the street, that you are getting an unknown quantity and quality of pilot. But when we start a new fleet (and none of our pilots have types in that fleet) or when we promote Captains in one fleet into a new fleet (earning their current PIC pay in the right seat until they get their required time in type), then we need Direct Entry Captains. Also, it takes Captains to create Captains, and we have SIC’s who don’t have the total time or time in type to upgrade yet.., so thus the need for Direct Entry Captains.
As far as where you can live, no Company that I know of is more permissive about where you can live. I live mostly in ILM and part time in SMF. We have many pilots who commute out of places like DHN, OAJ, PGV, etc, so I can’t imagine that your airport has any less airline service than these do. All of these airports are nowhere near a major hub, so you would be fine.