Originally Posted by
bertramcheeks22
Why do the majors specifically slow down with the hiring in the summer?
They compress training requirements into their lower flying seasons. It has a twofold benefit.
1) No pilots on property in the training pipeline during the busy season. ie upgrades are during the low seasons, allowing pilots to be productive during the time that airlines need them most.
2) It allows the company to utilize pilot instructors to fly the line during the peak season, reducing line pilot manning requirements.
There was a time when airlines simply furloughed pilots during the slow times of the year and recalled them for the busy flying period. Heck, there are some that probably do.