freightpilotguy

Hey Everyone,

This is a tough situation that I’m in and I’m struggling with what to do. Currently fly 135 with no degree and I recently went through two interviews. One with a major airline that I ended up getting a CJO with and the other with Delta that unfortunately did not go the way I was hoping. Ultimately, I would love to work for DL as I live in one of their bases and it is a solid company. The other major airline offer on the table isn’t a bad job and I’m grateful for the opportunity, however I do not live in any of their bases so I would either have to commute or move. In addition, the growth at that airline is not as substantial. I have narrowed my options to two: 1) wait six months at my 135 and reapply to DL or 2) take the job at the major on the table right now, spend a few years there, and then move on.

What are people’s thoughts on this and what would you do if you were in my shoes?

Thanks in advance for taking the time to respond!

jetlaggy

Do you have a good idea as to why delta didn’t hire you? Can that be corrected in 6 months?

freightpilotguy

I don't, unfortunately. They don't tell you why you failed the interview. The head of hiring said that all he can say is that I just missed the cutoff score

jaxsurf

What would you do if Delta’s answer had been “don’t ever apply here again”? If Delta had told you that, would you take the other major job, or stay at your 135?

If you’d take the other major job in that scenario, then I would suggest it might be a good idea to take the major job in the scenario you currently find yourself, because there is no guarantee that Delta will hire you on your second attempt.

Personally, I’d take the major job, and then interview at Delta again in 6 months. Second interview success rate is quite high at Delta, but still not guaranteed. However, you know exactly when that 6 months will end, and can spend the last month or so prepping heavily for a second interview.

Bottom line: if your career stalled, where would you rather be six months from now, the major, or your 135 operation?

Excargodog

Take the CJO. A new type alone may raise you above the cutoff.

rickair7777

Take the LCC CJO, getting hired at a legacy without a degree is still a rare event. They removed the requirement, but it's still very much a competitive requirement for most folks.

Get the type and keep trying. Probably too late at this point to get an online degree in time for the big hiring boom.

TiredSoul

The fact that you have no (?) 121 time may have been the stumbling block.
Take the CJO, don’t be a ho and finish your probationary year then reapply with DL.
Spend a couple of months on interview prep.
Look at YT for explanation of the STAR concept and ace it.

jaxsurf

Unless something changed in the last couple years, Delta scores candidates in the interview, which is separate from the app scoring that occurs prior to interview invite. If you were invited to interview, you absolutely have the stats to get hired, and they WANT to hire you, IF you pass the interview.

You need to make a certain score in the panel interview (possibly combined with cog score) in order to get the CJO. Adding a type or a degree won’t affect your interview score, because your interview score is not based off of your app.

Also, I’d absolutely be a ‘ho’ and dip on the ULCC gig if offered a job with Delta. Under no circumstances would I wait a year in this environment just to re-apply. Waiting a year would put you behind probably 1,000 people vs interviewing again at your six month mark.

freightpilotguy

Thanks everyone for the responses! I definitely appreciate it.
First, addressing the part about leaving the major with the CJO after six months. The airline is not a ULCC and it really is not an option. Prior to my current employer, I was at a ULCC. I completed training but left shortly after due to COVID and the possibility of furlough. Jumping after six months would not bode well for my application. In addition, I have not really had a lot of long terms of employment. I have never been fired or let go or "forced" to leave, just left when a better opportunity presented itself.
Second, I did get the type rating from that ULCC I was at pre-COVID. That type (737) would be the aircraft I would fly at this major airline I have a CJO from, so I would really not be gaining anything on my application from this new employer.
Next, I am currently working on my degree online. With my current 135 schedule, I would be able to be done by spring of next year.
Ultimately, it is a really tough decision. I would rather be at DL but with no guarantee of another interview, I'm taking a risk by not taking the bird that is in the hand. However, if I do go, I think my case against being a company hopper will be even more substantial to fight. So, then I would wait a couple years and lose a lot of seniority at DL.

jaxsurf

Did Delta bring up your job hopping in your first interview?