Originally Posted by Mabee201

As you just mentioned, there IS a list... but the list really starts when you join an Aviate UAX partner. I don't understand what good a list would do for you before joining UAX. It would be essentially meaningless, because if you join Aviate before UAX, the speed at which you get through ratings and build your time can be vastly different from someone else who joined Aviate at the same time. You may have identical Aviate start dates, but until you get to UAX, your position on any list would not be a good indicator on when you transition to United. That was one of the reasons why they changed to a UAX carrier-specific list. The universal list that existed before said very little about when you would actually get a United class date.

Even with this opt-in, all Aviate UAX pilots who use this opt-in feature will still fall BEHIND any participants who are already in the Aviate program... so, if you joined Aviate last year and get to UAX, you will be placed higher on the list than any pilots who were not previously part of Aviate, but you still have to get through your minimum time requirements (2 years at UAX AND 2000hrs or 1500 if you upgrade).

As an Aviate coach, I do think the program has benefitted the participants I've been coaching. Before I was paired with a new set of participants last month, ALL my previous participants are now at United or has a class date scheduled. The program is NOT perfect, but I do think it provides a clear pathway to United, and I wish a program like this had existed when I was in college/flight training. I don't think United has some nefarious desire to give you "false hope". It can help you, but it also helps them attract people into their UAX pipeline. If it's not for you, then you can go the traditional route as well. But to go back to your original post... there IS a list. Each of our Aviate UAX carriers have one. Also, United has never (at least with post-merger hiring) required a bachelor's degree. It was uncommon to get hired without it, but it was never a requirement. It USED to be a requirement with Aviate, but that is also NO longer the case. You do, however, need 1000hrs PIC at UAX without a degree (if you're coming through the Aviate program).