The hiring people have said recently that they are weighing recommendations much higher than in the past.

Since nobody has actually been called for an interview with the new hiring team yet, no one knows what AA is currently looking for. It is a complete guess. But, if you believe what the new director of hiring has said several times now, the more letters of rec, the better.

Also, update your application very often. Weekly is probably a good start.

Question on the application where it asks for years of IFR certified experience and hours of IFR certified experience. I assume years is number of years since you passed your IFR check ride. Is the number of hours the amount of hours that you've have flown since you were IFR certified or number of hours flying "actual"?

I went with the number of hours flown since my instrument check ride since I was duly IFR certified from that time onwards. Good luck!

According to checkedandset guys, it’s the total hours flown on an instrument flight plan.
It should be significant.

Thanks. Im not sure many people actually keep track of that. Guess ill do my best to guestimate

You could probably get close by adding your ‘actual’ time prior to 121 with your TT from the 121 world.

So what’s the timeline for the next steps after you finish the app and PST? Should internal recommendations be sent in with the initial application?

Internal recommendations are uploaded on the site by the current employee. The outside and written letters of rec are attached to the application.

You app should never be "finished" until you get the CJO. It needs to be updated continually (AA hiring department has recommended weekly).

So if you get an internal rec, do you also add them as a reference and upload a pdf of their rec as well?

I just have the internal, seems kind of redundant to list the same person in two separate places on the app. The references section looks like it’s more geared towards non-AA employees too.