Worth applying outside the flow?
 

I’m at one of the AA regionals and right now our time to flow is around 5.5 years. I’m about at 2 years with this regional. Is it worth applying to AA outside of the flow? I’ve heard it’s a moot point since they don’t want to shoot themselves in the foot.

It's rare, but it happens. It doesn't cost you anything to fill it out.

Haven't flown with an FO hired outside of flow who didn't have a hire date of Spring 2024 or earlier. Used to happen a little more often during the hiring surge post COVID because AA was afraid of UA/DL pouching quality pilots from our WOs. Now that hiring has slowed industry wide there is a larger pool of quality applicants so they are a lot more strict about not hiring outside of flow. There are probably still a few exceptions but not like before. Have you upgraded yet or have any TPIC from a previous job? Doesn't hurt to apply but not something you need to keep hitting refresh on your email.

I should be in an upgrade class by September or October. I figured it was unlikely. But like you said, it doesn’t hurt to fill it out and see what happens. My worry is the flow time going back up to 6 or 7 years. Just trying to weigh my options here.

Like you said, can’t hurt to try, but if you’re relatively low time without turbine PIC combined with almost 2000 Spirit pilots currently looking for a new job the odds are not great.

It is what it is.

You know what? Enjoy your time there, while youre there. I was with Eagle when it was just Eagle, and I still look back at my time there with a certain nostalgic fondness. from 19 seat turboprops to 64 seat CRJ 700's, I enjoyed my job and the people I flew with. I've been witrh AA for 13 yearsd now and love it, but looking back, I have great memories of my Commuter/Regional days. You'll spend a large part of your career at AA, maybe retiring as a widebody captain. Try to enjoy the maybe 7 years youll spend at the Regioanl level. I mean that with all good intentions.

If you manage to get on outside the flowm maybe we'll fly together sometime, and have something in common.