Go Back  Airline Pilot Central Forums > Career Builder > Career Questions
Flight Attendant to Pilot >

Flight Attendant to Pilot

Notices
Career Questions Career advice, interview prep and gouges, job fairs, etc.

Flight Attendant to Pilot

Old 05-07-2012, 11:34 AM
  #1  
Line Holder
Thread Starter
 
Joined APC: Jul 2008
Posts: 36
Default Flight Attendant to Pilot

Hello,
I am working on my commercial rating, but might have a job opportunity to work for UAL as a flight attendant during my training. Do you think this will help me get my foot in the door with UAL as a pilot?

Thank you!

Lily
lily is offline  
Old 05-07-2012, 11:43 AM
  #2  
Line Holder
 
Joined APC: Jan 2007
Position: FO 757/767
Posts: 61
Default

Real short answer... Yes!
ToBeOrNotToBe is offline  
Old 05-07-2012, 11:46 AM
  #3  
Line Holder
Thread Starter
 
Joined APC: Jul 2008
Posts: 36
Default

Thank you! I just didn't know if it would be a waste of time or not.
lily is offline  
Old 05-07-2012, 11:53 AM
  #4  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Joined APC: Jan 2009
Position: Nice while it lasted
Posts: 326
Default

Originally Posted by lily View Post
Hello,
I am working on my commercial rating, but might have a job opportunity to work for UAL as a flight attendant during my training. Do you think this will help me get my foot in the door with UAL as a pilot?

Thank you!

Lily
Years ago, what you are proposing made it nearly impossible to get a pilot job at United. They were loathe to hire current employees as pilots.

Of course, with the whole airline world standing on its head right now, I guess anything is possible. Still, if you absolutely must fly for UAL, I would get a job at a different airline.
JobHopper is offline  
Old 05-07-2012, 11:58 AM
  #5  
Line Holder
Thread Starter
 
Joined APC: Jul 2008
Posts: 36
Default

That is very good to know. Thank you for your input. I don't really care if I work for UAL or another carrier, but really only wanted the position if it would help me down the line to get hired as a pilot. Sounds like it might defeat the purpose.
lily is offline  
Old 05-07-2012, 12:32 PM
  #6  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Joined APC: Nov 2008
Position: 777 FO
Posts: 100
Default

A friend of mine from SkyWest was a former UA flight attendant. She wanted to get an interview with UA, but got hired at Delta (pilot). Another guy in my new-hire class at UA, was a former UA FA (flew at Express Jet).
uafurlough is offline  
Old 05-07-2012, 12:35 PM
  #7  
New Hire
 
Joined APC: May 2012
Position: B777 F/O
Posts: 3
Default

Lily,

I got hired with UAL in 1995. Our class had a United FA hired as well. He was placed first in seniority for our class (others by the last four of their SSN) and he got to keep his company seniority (date hired as a FA) for pass-travel benefits. I'd say if you want a United flying job, that getting hired at United (FA, Gate Agent, etc.) most likely can't hurt and could benefit you in preference hiring and the other benefits above. Of course Continental is now running the show and I don't know what the new hire policies will be when we start hiring off the street in the next years. We also have around 400-600 pilot retirements going forward the next 10 or so years, so good timing for you!
kalaC141 is offline  
Old 05-07-2012, 01:07 PM
  #8  
Line Holder
Thread Starter
 
Joined APC: Jul 2008
Posts: 36
Default

Originally Posted by uafurlough View Post
A friend of mine from SkyWest was a former UA flight attendant. She wanted to get an interview with UA, but got hired at Delta (pilot). Another guy in my new-hire class at UA, was a former UA FA (flew at Express Jet).
Thank you! So I guess it can only help in the long run. Fingers crossed!
lily is offline  
Old 05-07-2012, 01:08 PM
  #9  
Line Holder
Thread Starter
 
Joined APC: Jul 2008
Posts: 36
Default

Originally Posted by kalaC141 View Post
Lily,

I got hired with UAL in 1995. Our class had a United FA hired as well. He was placed first in seniority for our class (others by the last four of their SSN) and he got to keep his company seniority (date hired as a FA) for pass-travel benefits. I'd say if you want a United flying job, that getting hired at United (FA, Gate Agent, etc.) most likely can't hurt and could benefit you in preference hiring and the other benefits above. Of course Continental is now running the show and I don't know what the new hire policies will be when we start hiring off the street in the next years. We also have around 400-600 pilot retirements going forward the next 10 or so years, so good timing for you!
This was super helpful. Thank you for the input and letting me know what you've seen happen. I'm thinking I'll take the position if I get it.
lily is offline  
Old 05-07-2012, 01:23 PM
  #10  
Banned
 
Joined APC: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,134
Default

Originally Posted by JobHopper View Post
Years ago, what you are proposing made it nearly impossible to get a pilot job at United. They were loathe to hire current employees as pilots.
Are you sure about that?

Just like interns and sons and daughters had a guaranteed interview, so did intercompany transfers.

Although they may have "loathed" the practice. I know more than one that got hired that way. One was an FA, the other a ramper.
xjtguy is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
rickB
Part 135
29
10-26-2011 01:12 PM
lakehouse
Hiring News
32
08-24-2010 10:38 AM
Gajre539
The Boneyard
0
07-19-2010 01:45 PM
jban642
Hangar Talk
3
09-11-2009 01:42 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Your Privacy Choices