Which Major to Choose?
07-09-2019, 06:58 AM
#1
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Which Major to Choose?
I wish I was close to being competitive at the Majors, but not yet. I do have a friend who is getting to the point where he will need to start applying, which lead us to the discussion of where to apply.
In my ATP/CTP class we had a job consultant come in and talk to us. She told us the days of applying everywhere and taking the first job that comes along are going away. According to her, there are some people who never get called, but for the ones who do, the Majors all tend to call within a few months of each other.
If once beggars can now be choosers, how do you decide which Major is the right one for you? It’s not like we as pilots can afford to job hop, so once you choose one you are in it for the rest of your career. Anyway, I just wanted to leave this as an open discussion as to how you decided which Major to work at? Or if you were one of those from the days of “apply everywhere” and be lucky to get one offer, if you could go back and choose a different airline, would you? This is opening up a can of worms, but is there a certain “type” of person who flies for American vs Delta vs United vs Southwest?
In my ATP/CTP class we had a job consultant come in and talk to us. She told us the days of applying everywhere and taking the first job that comes along are going away. According to her, there are some people who never get called, but for the ones who do, the Majors all tend to call within a few months of each other.
If once beggars can now be choosers, how do you decide which Major is the right one for you? It’s not like we as pilots can afford to job hop, so once you choose one you are in it for the rest of your career. Anyway, I just wanted to leave this as an open discussion as to how you decided which Major to work at? Or if you were one of those from the days of “apply everywhere” and be lucky to get one offer, if you could go back and choose a different airline, would you? This is opening up a can of worms, but is there a certain “type” of person who flies for American vs Delta vs United vs Southwest?
07-09-2019, 07:50 AM
#2
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Apply everywhere that's better than your current job. If you're a captain at a regional and have good QOL not every airline out there may be a step up. Once you get on at a top tier airline, people tend to stop updating their apps elsewhere shortly thereafter. If you live in another airline's base and commute to work (live in ATL and work for United) it would probably make sense to keep applying up until a certain point because living in base is so much better than commuting.
07-09-2019, 01:55 PM
#4
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Originally Posted by Bahamasflyer
And of course take the one that gives you the FIRST class date. After that if a better offer comes along, then reevaluate
Also do not pass up a class date at one major for a significantly later date at another (to say nothing of the pool). And by "significantly later" I mean more than a week or two.
For most folks, it's not like the regionals... you don't pick them, they pick you. If that ever changes it will be temporary for sure.
The majors mostly all hire the same "type" of person, at least somewhat over-achiever. A few prefer serious over-achievers, but don't rule yourself out, let them decide.
Possible that a few ULCC are now screening for "under-achievers" who are not (yet) competitive for the top jobs.
Anyone who gets hired at one major airline would probably fit in fine at any other US major. There are however plenty of pilots at the regionals (and 91/135) who wouldn't fit in and rarely get hired. Personality "quirks" and attitude (towards safety or life in general) are the problems, and they are good at sniffing them out.
07-09-2019, 04:41 PM
#5
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I think that “job consultant” gave very poor advice. The
majors have a deep pool of applicants. They are not desperate(yet) and are still being very selective. It makes no sense (and very presumptuous) to apply to only one airline.
majors have a deep pool of applicants. They are not desperate(yet) and are still being very selective. It makes no sense (and very presumptuous) to apply to only one airline.
07-09-2019, 06:26 PM
#6
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Originally Posted by rickair7777
This. Decent chance if one calls that others will also, but that's by no means assured. Take almost any major job offered (definitely Big 6) and the if you get another offer later you can evaluate that.
Also do not pass up a class date at one major for a significantly later date at another (to say nothing of the pool). And by "significantly later" I mean more than a week or two.
For most folks, it's not like the regionals... you don't pick them, they pick you. If that ever changes it will be temporary for sure.
The majors mostly all hire the same "type" of person, at least somewhat over-achiever. A few prefer serious over-achievers, but don't rule yourself out, let them decide.
Possible that a few ULCC are now screening for "under-achievers" who are not (yet) competitive for the top jobs.
Anyone who gets hired at one major airline would probably fit in fine at any other US major. There are however plenty of pilots at the regionals (and 91/135) who wouldn't fit in and rarely get hired. Personality "quirks" and attitude (towards safety or life in general) are the problems, and they are good at sniffing them out.
Also do not pass up a class date at one major for a significantly later date at another (to say nothing of the pool). And by "significantly later" I mean more than a week or two.
For most folks, it's not like the regionals... you don't pick them, they pick you. If that ever changes it will be temporary for sure.
The majors mostly all hire the same "type" of person, at least somewhat over-achiever. A few prefer serious over-achievers, but don't rule yourself out, let them decide.
Possible that a few ULCC are now screening for "under-achievers" who are not (yet) competitive for the top jobs.
Anyone who gets hired at one major airline would probably fit in fine at any other US major. There are however plenty of pilots at the regionals (and 91/135) who wouldn't fit in and rarely get hired. Personality "quirks" and attitude (towards safety or life in general) are the problems, and they are good at sniffing them out.
07-09-2019, 07:41 PM
#7
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Originally Posted by Bahamasflyer
When you talk about under/over achievers, besides extras like LCA, union work, volunteer, I presume you mean one who takes the first (or one of the first) upgrade slots at regionals (vs wait for a cushy line in base), as well as updates apps frequently, and refreshes him/herselt with a new type or upgrade every 3 yrs or so?
07-10-2019, 06:07 AM
#8
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Originally Posted by dodsqubam
I wish I was close to being competitive at the Majors, but not yet. I do have a friend who is getting to the point where he will need to start applying, which lead us to the discussion of where to apply.
In my ATP/CTP class we had a job consultant come in and talk to us. She told us the days of applying everywhere and taking the first job that comes along are going away. According to her, there are some people who never get called, but for the ones who do, the Majors all tend to call within a few months of each other.
If once beggars can now be choosers, how do you decide which Major is the right one for you? It’s not like we as pilots can afford to job hop, so once you choose one you are in it for the rest of your career. Anyway, I just wanted to leave this as an open discussion as to how you decided which Major to work at? Or if you were one of those from the days of “apply everywhere” and be lucky to get one offer, if you could go back and choose a different airline, would you? This is opening up a can of worms, but is there a certain “type” of person who flies for American vs Delta vs United vs Southwest?
In my ATP/CTP class we had a job consultant come in and talk to us. She told us the days of applying everywhere and taking the first job that comes along are going away. According to her, there are some people who never get called, but for the ones who do, the Majors all tend to call within a few months of each other.
If once beggars can now be choosers, how do you decide which Major is the right one for you? It’s not like we as pilots can afford to job hop, so once you choose one you are in it for the rest of your career. Anyway, I just wanted to leave this as an open discussion as to how you decided which Major to work at? Or if you were one of those from the days of “apply everywhere” and be lucky to get one offer, if you could go back and choose a different airline, would you? This is opening up a can of worms, but is there a certain “type” of person who flies for American vs Delta vs United vs Southwest?
There are a whole bunch of qualified pilots not getting the call from the majors. It’s still not a buyers market in the majors.
There is a certain type that flies for Southwest. And then there is a certain type that flies for UAL, DAL, AAL. I’m not saying that SWA is bad, not at all but they do have a different culture than the mainstream.
03-11-2020, 06:03 PM
#9
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Joined APC: Nov 2018
Posts: 109
Originally Posted by rickair7777
Yes that stuff but also school/major/GPA and breaking out of the herd in whatever field of endeavor... military/aviation fields are better because they understand that and consider it relevant.
I also posed this question on PPrune. Was wondering if I could get some insight here as well.
03-12-2020, 08:19 AM
#10
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Joined APC: Jan 2006
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Originally Posted by Valiant
If I somehow jump from a regional to a widebody in Middle East/Asia like Cathay or Emirates/Qatar etc. Would it make me a better candidate for majors or LCCs??
I also posed this question on PPrune. Was wondering if I could get some insight here as well.
I also posed this question on PPrune. Was wondering if I could get some insight here as well.
Bottom line: generally US majors prefer regional PIC over foreign SIC, international, or widebody time.
It can vary by individual, but I wouldn't do foreign flying with the intent that it will be career fast-track. If you have other reasons, then go for it.
If you get to 5K TT and 2K 121 TPIC, then it might not hurt you to go overseas if the majors haven't called yet.
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