FLflyer

Hi I have four part 91 check ride busts in total. 2 for CFI and CFII, 2 for commercial single add-on. I need some advice. I have been offered a job with two regionals. One has a 3-5yr flow to American with no interview and the other is starting FO's at 60k but no flow. I really want to go for the money but I am afraid my check ride busts will come back to haunt me when it's time to move on and I am afraid that the majors will not even look at me with those failures. Anyone have any advice? If I take the higher pay and keep a clean sheet from here on out would Jetblue, Spirit, Virgin, look at me if the Legacy's wouldn't?

WHACKMASTER

60K start for a regional FO?! Foreign carrier if I may ask? Either way.....GOOD, that's what it should be.

I'd definitely take the one with the flow. Hell, it's hard enough to get hired at a legacy, much less having to explain four busts.

Mesabah

Starting pay at Endeavor is like $58K now.

FLflyer

Yeah, I think I just need to suck it up and take the lower pay. There upgrade is only running about a year and a half anyway. That 60k sure does sound nice though haha.

tkt96

I wouldn't worry much about check ride busts from GA flying days. It's more important to keep your 121 training record clean. To be honest a failure there doesn't mean much these days either. The most important things the majors seem to be looking for is that you have a positive attitude, can get along with others, and are a good person. Everything else can be trained to standards in the simulator. Just my 2 cents from what I have seen.

Most if not all of the questions in the UAL interview revolve around how you interact with others (zero technical questions) and there isn't even a simulator portion anymore.

I'd take the money.

FLflyer

I would really like to believe that, there is just so much stigma behind it. Everyone makes it out as though I will be totally blackballed from a future at any major or national carrier. I wish I could talk to some of the Chief Pilots at these places and hear what they have to say. That is encouraging to hear though, thanks!

TrakTrak

Dude, don't worry about it. If you take care of your business during your 121 career, you'll look back on it and laugh. No need to bother a CP about it.

FLflyer

Really!? I've just heard people saying that 3 is the absolute most you can have to even get an interview at half of these places.

tkt96

1) go to whatever regional has the easiest commute
2) keep your 121 training record clean
3) keep your flying record clean...fill out lots of NASA reports for anything that happens
4) volunteer in the union and network
5) volunteer in your community (habitat for humanities once a year checks the box)
6) try to get into the training department...sim instructor, ground school, check airmen, or new hire mentor.
7) go to job fairs and have a story about why you love flying and how you got into it. Dont give them the same old BS recruiters hear from every person "I've been a captain for X years and have xxxx hours and have flown xx planes". So have the other 500 people at the job fair. Show some passion and stand out from the rest. If you can't do that then job fairs are a waste of time.
8) keep a positive attitude and enjoy the job...be a good employee and coworker not just a good pilot.

Do all that and you will be hired by a major assuming there and no more major catastrophes or recessions. Don't worry about GA busts.

FLflyer

Thanks TKT! I like your attitude and thanks for the words of wisdom, much appreciated! I guess, in the end either choice will be ok, if I follow the checklist.