njd1

I was shown an email recently that suggested United will no longer be accepting off-the-street apps for any pilot working for one of their partners, including C5.

This email stated that if an affected pilot presently has an active OTS application they should cancel it and create an Aviate application, as this will be the only path to United available to these pilots.

What the email does not say is whether any pilot who failed the Aviate interview prior to this policy change would be allowed to interview again.

Does anyone have any insights about this apparent policy change? Is this real or BS?

Excargodog

Real or BS? That I can’t tell you. What I CAN tell you is that the purpose of Aviate, Flow, DGI, and all the similar programs is NOT to get pilot feed for the major. They really don’t have any shortage of applicants and would mostly prefer military trained pilots anyway. The purpose of these programs is to fill the ranks of the regionals. And if United did indeed restrict their regional partner pilots to only being considered after they go through the program and served their time providing feed at the regional, they certainly wouldn’t be the first to do so.

itsmytime

I’m sure United is doing this due to staffing issues at C5, AWAC, and possibly gojet. But United is speaking out of both sides of their mouth on this one. You can’t announce you are going to eliminate 50 seat flying, then be surprised when staffing at 50 seat airlines becomes difficult.

CantTaxiToACS

^ This is just an undeniably correct statement 100%

Ducksaucelover

I highly doubt that is why UA is rumored to make this announcement. Staffing issues are due to crappy contracts, pay, and QoL not bringing anyone through the training pipeline, while people are jumping ship to other regionals, LCCs, or being hired from pre-covid CJOs, ect. This “announcement” would just hinder whatever trickle of recruitment is left for the four Aviate carriers. Since Aviate is a one and done deal, someone is not sticking around at the four bottom feeder regionals if they get a “no.” This will just deter people to apply to other WO regionals so they have an automatic flow card in the back pocket, while having decent quality of life. Then they can apply off OTS and most likely get into UA quicker than grinding away making the industry’s worst pay with atrocious contracts. The only saving grace left for UA’s four regionals at the moment, is to make the only way to get to UA is through Aviate. In addition, make Aviate feel like an accomplishment versus a carrot being dangled in front of you every day you show up for work for 2+ years.

CantTaxiToACS

^ Another undeniably correct grouping of statements. United really is shooting themselves in the foot with their operators. How to keep the really cheap operators functioning? Give them Aviate. Though pilots CAN see through the baloney and therefore don’t take the bait to go to an Aviate regional. The ones in Aviate can’t flow over because no one is taking their spots at said regional. They also can’t leave because it may lead to a permanent X on their heads at UAL hiring. Quite the catch 22 for everyone. Mexican standoff between UAL, UAX and regional pilots where everyone dies.

It’s really going to come down to whether or not the younger college students will bypass EDV/RPA/OO to take a chance on GoJet to get to UAL. The obvious solution is for those regionals to provide better QOL, but of course that takes money. Instead it looks like United will just dig it’s heels deeper and force people through Aviate/UAX.

DoSomePilotStuf

Doesn’t have to be the only way, but does need to be the fastest way, as advertised.

rickair7777

Yes. It only makes sense to restrict people with special interview/flow access from OTS... letting them do OTS defeats the whole purpose of controlling regional attrition.

People with eligibility for such programs have quite clearly demonstrated an emotional affinity for the sunk cost of the time served, and will tend to ride it out for years waiting for the promised flow or even guaranteed interviews. So why not take advantage of their weakness?

dremaldent

Agreed. This is going to destroy staffing unless they accept almost everyone into aviate. I am extremely unhappy with this and will actually be considering leaving once it is officially announced. Even if they do accept everyone it may still discourage people from joining. I suppose we'll all find out soon.

BRJPilot

Sounds great! What about all of the people at these places who are ineligible to be in Aviate for one reason or another? The new policy keeps them from getting an OTS offer too!