This is not ab initio, not even a “scholarship”/tuition assistance with strings attached.

1.This is a diversity program.
2.This sounds like a bad diversity program that takes your money.

AA sure does seem quite intent on meeting future staffing needs by hiring those who choose the path of least resistance. Makes you wonder what the negotiating environment will be like when all of the flow babies hit the line.

Probably pretty good.
8+ years of getting shat on at the WO
10000 plus hours of flying
8000 Command
Generally ****ed
Can’t spot a bad deal a mile away

I would take a “flow baby” anyday over someone who’s never been outside the O club if it was for voting on a contract

Of course this is Assuming the widebody colonels don’t sell out all the scope for a few pennies

IMO, not so much...
They have to say that.

IMO it is a first step attempt to insert some screening and maybe some "discipline" and order into the only major non-military pipeline that exists anymore.

Interview preference, some benefits and some intangible access for lack of a better word in exchange for wearing a uniform and keeping their nose clean. Might cut down on the stupid shyte.

Doesn't obligate either party to anything concrete, other than the student being obligated to pay off the loans, which they would be anyway.

fwiw... I [I]love [I] flying with our flows.

Yes... Everyone else is fine too, once they settle in to the airline gig.

All this seems like to me is a way to keep the regionals staffed, not AA. Highly doubt they don’t have a stack of applications

Keep the WO’s staffed, keep the leverage if the economy downturns or a crisis happens. It’s scope leverage, that is all. Parksom will never let the regional model die......that’s what this awful program is all about, not staffing AA.

Spot on brother.

Expensive proposition.

I find all wholly owned flow through pilots very educated in the industry. A far cry from the old school pilots (Captains I used to fly with) that thought our contract was superior to any other carrier. A breath of fresh air our flow through pilots are. Our contract is worse than some of the wholly owned carriers. If you fly with these great aviators then you know the future is bright.

Ironically, having freshly minted commercial pilot’s fly with retired CA’s would probably be one of the best “training” opportunities ever. Especially if they are on the fast track to the left seat of an RJ, the experience would be invaluable.