Pool Swimming & Job Offer Etiquette
 

Well here's the deal - I'm swimming in a hiring pool for a regional airline, and there are no guarantees when I will get to start training.

But, my current company is about to cease operations, so I'm looking around for another job in the meantime, until the regional calls me for a class date.

My question is, if the interim job requires a contract, would it be kosher to ask the regional to delay me to a later class date, when this contract is up? And in anybody's experience, will the airlines actually accommodate it?

I know, I'm trying to have my cake and eat it too, but I was just wondering if this is very unprofessional or not.

Thanks!

My suggestion: Pull the plug on the pool. Go where you can now because within the next three months you're going to be competing with about 2,000 furloughed regional pilots.

Say no to contract airlines.... they don't obey them, yet they hold you to it? From an experienced FO - this job isn't worth having.

Well, what if the interim job is a corporate 91 jet job in the right seat?

Maybe consider staying there instead of the regionals. Who knows how long you are in the pool. I'm not sure I'd go right now if they called. Things are on the downside. If you stick with the 91 deal and the regional doesn't call, reevaluate in a year. Maybe you like the 91 gig, maybe not. IF the regional calls this year, then you have to evaluate whether you really want to go and the company's future.

6 months ago RAH was the place to go. Now they are considering furloughs. Times change real quick in 121.

Thanks for the responses guys, appreciate it. My main concern is: what if the regional calls for a class date, and I turn it down because I'm stuck in the 91 contract. Will the regional see that negatively, and ruin my chance to work there later on?

It depends...if you lead them to believe you were available they might be annoyed. To avoid that problem, clearly communicate your availability in advance...they may just hire you into the pool in the meantime.

Like others have said...hiring is going to be stopping (and going into full reverse), so I'm not sure that you would WANT to be a junior guy at most regionals right now.

I would simply take my chances that you won't get called for the regional job prior to your contract being up. If it is a one year contract, or even 18 months, I doubt you will have a problem. Besides, you may like the Part 91 gig better anyway.

Airlines, regionals in particular, are notorious for not caring. They MIGHT work with you on a class date...but that depends on two things.Consider this - if this particular airline is hiring (when they call you for a class date) then most likely other airlines will be too.

So what are your options? Take the 91 job and risk.... getting another job offer - OR - Don't take the 91 job and now be completely jobless?
Is this particular regional the end-all of airline jobs? I mean, is this the place you want to hang your hat for the rest of your career? If not, then I would reconsider putting all of your eggs in their basket.