How do they sniff people out in this climate?

Only hire folks with multiple DUI's, six pink slips, or a felony?

Other than that, almost anyone can take a type and some 121 SIC and make a good run at the top-tier.

All they can really do is hire older people who's zip code matches their domiciles and hope X percent of them will stay.

They could in theory not hire mil because they are obviously attractive to legacies, but do that for long enough to show a pattern and you'll get owned in USERRA lawsuits.


When they ask the question there are two wrong answers:

1) "I'm definitely going to make a career here, I think legacy pilots get paid way too much, I don't need the money and think it's unjust." They'll know you're full of feces and are lying to their face.

2) "I'm just here for a type rating, some IOE, and then off to DL."

The best answer is a realistic, believable answer: "There are a lot of things I like about brand X (domiciles!), I'd really hope that I can stay long term, I don't want to keep subjecting myself and my family to new-hire training and junior schedules, but I can't completely rule out other options until I get some perspective on line".

If you can make a case that you really want to live in one of their domiciles, that will go a long way (assuming it's not a big legacy hub). Even better if you already live there.