Hello,

Could I get some feedback for a friend. He is currently flying for a charter operation and only gets about 350 hours a year. Is this going to kill his chances of making it past the computer software that the big 3 major airlines are using to filter apps?

I have heard that 500 hours per year might be the minimum some of the majors are using to filter down the apps. Amongst many other filter....

If anyone out there has been hired at Delta, United or American having less then 500 in a year could you please let me know. He has plenty of total time and turbine PIC as well as international experience. Nothing else on his application would be a red flag as far as I can tell. He is also non military.

If he needs to go somewhere else to get his yearly hours up he will. We'd just like to get some feedback before he makes a jump in case he doesn't need too.

Thanks!

 

Your "friend", huhhh?

 

LOL, I know.. But actually this time it really is for a friend.

 

Your friend should learn to use the Internet and post his own questions. It's called "initiative".

 

Friend or not, an interesting question none-the-less. For years I did nothing but stand-ups, and logging under 500 hours a year was common. I've also bid reserve on purpose and flew well under 500 in some years. Are there computer algorithms that seek out and filter based on this type of data?

 

Wow this is productive so far! What a jerk! I'm trying to do something nice for someone who has no interest in being on this board. This is exactly why he's not on here. I didn't even ask my buddy before I posted this, we talked on the phone today and I think this is the reason he's not getting a call. So I thought I'd come on here and do some research.

 

Yes, I was friends with some recruiters when I was at a regional. They said the back side of these software programs have all kinds of filters. So if they put in a filter that says "only show me guys that have 500 hours or more in the past 12 month" that's all it will show. There are filters for everything. So if they have filters for a 4 year degree, 2000 pic and a 737 type rating, it will only show candidates that have those qualifications.

Kind of like going on auto trader and searching for a blue 2010 honda civic. Once you hit submit it's not going to show you a red 2013 civic.

So I'm not wondering if there are filters built into this software. I'm just wondering if currently or recently anyone has been hired with less then 500 hours in the previous 12 months.

Thanks!

 

Oh for the days when a well constructed cover letter, and sharp resume, looked upon by human eyes, earned you the opportunity to sell yourself in person Freakin' computers!!!

My father-in-law recently retired from one of the Big 3. I asked him to put in a good word for me with some of his connected active friends. He, through my wife, informed me that he preferred I used the tried and true method of worming my way into the training center, introduce myself, and try to make an impression with some of the instructors and pilots. LOL! To which I replied, this isn't 1960 dude! I do that and I'll be hauled off in manacles by DHS and never fly again!

In fairness however the spirit of his advice is still valid - Its just a guy can no longer employ it by shooting in through an inadvertently left ajar exit door of the sim complex. LOL!

 

Virtually all military would have less then 500 hours.

 

Yep totally agree! I busted my butt for a few years going to job fairs. I got hired but I swear it was more dumb luck than anything else as far as getting the interview went. 11,000 apps on file right now, pretty crazy!

One thing I would recommend to anyone is interview prep. I went to Emerald Coast and thought it was money well spent!