How to Improve my Application
 

Hey guys, I'm looking for some recommendations on how to make myself more competitive. I'm feeling like a dime a dozen and am willing to do whatever it takes to improve my qualifications. Here's a little bit about me...

9 Year CRJ-200 Captain
700 Hours PIC
7,000 Total
Graduated Summa Cum Laude in College
Top 5% in High School
Enrolled for Masters in Aviation Safety
Plenty of Volunteering time between high school and now
Attended WAI as well as OBAP in 2015
Have applied for LCA positions with company but cannot hold a line -- Cannot hold LCA unless a line holder.

I just don't know where to go from here. I feel like I'm just sitting idly by and waiting, and that's not going to do any good. Any advice would be welcome. Thanks for your thoughts.

Sounds like about 2000 other regional captains. FWIW, a friend of mine with very similar quals just got a call from UAL this week.

Your overall qualifications look great. Some airlines are requiring higher PIC times. Where did you go to college? How long did it take you to complete college? Any other leadership positions within your company or in the community? When you attended WAI and OBAP, how did your conversations go with the recruiters? Did you write down your experiences on paper for review?

Graduated from Georgia State. Completed school in five years. Started off in another major and transferred twice. Have 170 hours under my belt for that five years, so I wasn't slacking. Pretty sure since you asked though, they just look at a the final number. After I decided I'd be a pilot, I had my job after just three years. I've interviewed, but never held a leadership position. Still have my app in for a Line Check Pilot. May look into ALPA volunteer if I can't get a line check position in the next six months. All the recruiter conversations couldn't have gone better at the job fairs. What do you mean by writing down your experiences for review?

Thanks for the answers. Your qualifications make you competitive but the issue you are facing is similar to others. The problem is there are so many qualified pilots right now. You will have the chance to interview soon but the hardest part is waiting around.

I asked if you wrote down your experience because you will learn from it. To prepare for your interview I want you to create an "Interview Logbook." Purchase a binder and at the top of each page write down a HR question. Save the entire page front and back for that questions. Write down stories/situations you have encountered. It is easier to formulate your answers if you have detailed information written down. Come back to your logbook a day later to see if you need to add further detail or a different story.

Great tip. I like that. Just the feeling of being productive is a positive step forward in the process. Thanks for the advice.

Uhhh..... What happened to the "pilot shortage"?

The pilot shortage is not really a shortage..... the entry level and regional pilot jobs are plenty. The better jobs ie National, Major, or good fractional Flex, XO etc. are still not easy to get and have many qualified applicants.

-There are a few app review services out there. Emerald Coast does a nice job. They caught some very specific issues and they are very familiar with the various triggers of the Delta "fix it" emails.

There just aren't that many good aviation jobs. Lots of ok jobs but we are all applying to the good ones: Delta, United, American, ups, FedEx, swa. Factor in the flows and there is a lot of competition for the ots slots. I'm in the military and I am probably going to stay in past my 20 years because I have decided that's a good job also. I have been humbled by the dedication it takes to get hired. Good luck to everyone