If you need to make it to a legacy to feel your life is complete, go to one of AAs regionals. It's a guaranteed path, and as far as I know, the only guaranteed JOB offered at a legacy by going thru a regional. If you could be happy flying at Spirit, Frontier, et al for the rest of your career, try and go there, then hope you get an interview where you want to end up.

If I were in your shoes I'd be looking real hard at going to one of AA's regionals.

 

Slice makes good points. Also ... it may seem premature, but consider spending a few hundred $$ and sign on with FAPA Premium, ECIC, or similar. They'll stay with you until you are hired at your target level, and they see hundreds of candidates a year. They also have close personal and professional relationships with HR folks at many carriers. They can give you an honest appraisal of your chances, and give you up to date info on who is hiring what kind of applicant and where you are most competitive. I worked with both ECIC and FAPA, and found both to provide great value.

 

How are new-hires getting looked at? Are you guys paying someone to help you with the application? I know it's tough for a civilian to get looked at, but I know some civilians are still getting hired. Is there a "magic" formula for how to fill out the application to land an interview?

 

There is no magic formula. But getting assistance doesn't hurt.

 

I used Emerald Coast to review my application. I think it was $80 bucks at the time and while they made inputs to the app, I don't know that it was anything make or break (mostly minor punctuation stuff). That said, they might catch something huge like a gap in history or missing credentials. If you know anybody with experience (not even necessarily with the majors), have them look at your application.

No magic formula. Just from listening to other guys, I think one of the biggest issue is missing information. Be thorough.

 

So what do most guys use? Emerald Coast, Cage, FAPA? Are there others?

 

Cage and Emerald Coast are the two I've heard talked about, with all good feedback on both. Having done Emerald Coast, I have only good feedback for them, with the following highlights:
- Lots of opportunities for seminars in multiple locations. If you can get a group (I think the minimum number was 8), they will come to your location.
- The fee (I think it was $300 when I did it), includes access to several hours of audio prep files and the seminar which ran about six hours if I recall. You are considered a lifetime member and can return to audit a subsequent seminar for no additional cost. When you get a call for interview, they will do a phone mock interview tailored to your airline.
- They get updated feedback from their clients on the airline specific interviews, which they incorporate into their training. During the seminar, each individual gets an opportunity for a short mock interview with questions specific to their desired airline(s).

 

I also highly recommend Checked and Set. Excellent application review and resume assistance.

 

Also very happy with Checked and Set. Got the review for the partner price through Emerald Coast. Interviews lined up with SWA and American, fwiw.

 

Any info on what gets the interview?

Or is it just the waiting game with updates and a good app?

Thanks