Then count me as another exception to that rule. I completed college with less than a 3.0...in aviation. Finished a 141 program with no check ride busts, 2 busts in all of AF pilot training (including IFF and F-16 training...neither bust was a check ride, just daily rides) and no 121 busts so far (fingers crossed). Hopefully I can keep that trend rolling!

Not sure about applying but I have flown with one here.

---subject change---

Today's factoid provided from the deepest, darkest, stinkiest region of Mesabah's hindquarters.

They have to figure out if you are willing to put in the time and have the aptitude to finish training in the allotted time. There is precious little information on a one page resume and college GPA is actually quantifiable. Your experience is anecdotal.

Most people who become successful pilots (or businessman, dentists, etc.) had a point in their life when they figured out how to be successful at something, usually school. It isn't a difficult concept; you will naturally be able do perform at a certain level but will have to put in time and effort for each incremental improvement in performance. If you have the aptitude and put in the time you will have a high GPA. If you didn't figure it out until after college you will be at a disadvantage to those who did.

Of course there are extenuating circumstances that may not allow someone to put in the time to have a high GPA. If you worked a full time job to pay for school/flying a lower GPA would be sufficient but you better figure out how to put that on a resume.

Hiring departments aren't interested in people who do the bare minimum (and wear the minimum amount of "flair") because they will cost the company money in the agragate. Sure some or even most will get through training but a percentage will fail, making the company's investment worthless. Its logical to say that a larger percentage of low GPA pilots fail than high GPA pilots since hiring departments apparently rate GPA highly.

No, but I've hired a couple to do contract work at my company(not airline related). I was unaware at the time but a 2.0 at MIT is actually someone who failed out. They were smart enough to get in but too lazy to apply themselves. Their work effort reflected just that, before I fired them.

Who goes to MIT to be an airline pilot???

The people who write the manuals you follow.

Spot-on, Oberon. Airline hiring personal consider a lot more than flight time before inviting someone to interview with their airline. GPA, extracurricular activity, checkrides, terminations, work history/job progression, community involvement, and the list goes on.

I am bothered by the number of people on this forum who think it strictly comes down to flight time. Hiring strictly off of flight time would be a dangerously myopic approach to pilot hiring.

I think attitude is huge! Can you show up to the interview dressed professionally, are you humble, cordial, smiling, etc.