Originally Posted by
PurringRaccoon
Hi there! I'll share my stats when I applied for Hawaiian and got the CJO.
My total time was 2400 with 400 SIC/Turbine.
100 hrs in CL-65 (CRJ-900 regional), and 300 hrs in B767 (ACMI cargo). Most of my 76 time was doing ETOPS Anchorage - Incheon runs.
I have no criminal records or accident history, but I do have three checkride failures (commercial oral, multi engine, CFII). No 121 failures.
As you can see, I am no one special. In fact - I suspect I was the lucky shumuck that barely just made the bottom cut.
What we need to understand and appreciate is that we are living in an incredibly exceptional period time that is truly undeserved - where even people like me are given attention from great airlines like Hawaiian, Delta, and Southwest.
This would have been unthinkable 5 years ago, and will probably won't be possible again 5 years from now.
So I think the key is to understand what we have, be humble and do our best to keep up with the people who joined before. I think the experience and skill gap between new hires (especially these days - my self included) and captains are extremely significant.
You are in a great position - especially with no training failures. But I think you need to build up some more before you can be competitive. You will need unrestricted ATP, and some 121 time.
Hawaiian interview was most interesting. I could categorize Delta and Southwest interview as "as expected."
But with Hawaiian - I felt like they were specifically looking for certain kinds of people. When it's time for you to interview, do your best to prepare to answer "Why Hawaiian?"
Good luck!
Thank you for your insight and sharing your experience.
I believe you saw the gist of my question. We are at a time of opportunity that has never been seen before and like myself, many others have their tails wagging over what is available so quickly.
I don’t feel entitled, but when Hawaiian’s website says “1500 hours total” and a handful of preferred items, it doesn’t mean they won’t or can’t hire a CFI with a wet ATP. As far as 121 time goes, I do work at a 135 operation, but one that is currently being slammed by American Airlines, ALPA, and more agencies asking the regulators to stop what this certificate holder is doing. Why? Because we are so close to how a part 121 operation works, despite following very closely the regulations within part 135, allowing myself and others to get regional jet experience very early in our careers. Some FOs have been hired with a freshly minted CAMEL certificate and 250 hours.
Hawaiian has hired a handful of captains from the company I work for. Not sure if they have hired anyone from the FO roster yet. However, FOs and 1 month long captains are getting swiped up by other majors. If upgrading to the left seat and continuing to build knowledge and experience is required for a better chance at being hired, then so be it.
My last job interview was not for analyzing the knowledge and experience of the potential pilots. None of us have any of that. It too was about hiring the right people. With the right attitudes, caring personalities, and mindset, every day is joyful to come to work and it is passed on to the customer experience. If it is also Hawaiian’s goal to find the right people in that context, then that’s just another bullet point to the infamous question, “Why Hawaiian?”