Originally Posted by
Seattlecfi
I have to disagree with that. I did not know anyone at any of the airlines I have worked for. In my new hire class at NWA, there was only 1 person who knew someone.
I might help sometimes, but it is not the be all end all of getting a job.
Maybe where you work that's the case, but at CAL, 99% of the newhires are hired because of recommendations, with qualifications playing a part, but not a huge part. Yes, having thousands of hours helps, but if the person recommending you has a good reputation, hasn't abused his sick leave (yes they check), then the chances of you getting a job go up immensely. You also have to have flown with the individual you are recommending. (That was a recent change, as well as the need to have the four year degree). I did get a friend hired that didn't have a degree, but he was a CA at Mesaba and had good qualifications. Haven't seen anyone without a degree get hired for quite some time now (last four or five years). Doesn't mean it can't happen, just not seeing it.