Pil0t

Is is true that Delta prefers pilots with less experience? I have heard this a lot recently and am wondering if there is any "confirmation" on this? I have recently gone through all of my logbooks to double check my time and I have around 8,000 TT and 3500 TPIC (mainly part 121) and I do have a bachelors degree as well. I have been applying to Delta for several years and have gone to a few events and have never been invited to an interview; however I know a few pilots who have been called in for an interview after only a few years at the regional I am currently at. I don't want to start a debate I am truly just wondering if what I am hearing is true and that I possibly have too much time to be considered now?

Riverside

How many internal recommendations do you have?

LCAhotline

I was around your time when I got hired. My friend just started Indoc a few weeks ago. LCA. 3200 121 PIC 9,200 TT.

So it’s not them (Delta).....it’s you. Good luck.

TransWorld

Cannot find it, but someone posted the 2016 averages. If memory serves, average was about 7,000. That included Mil who have a lot less hours. So, you are right in the ballpark on hours. The LCC have much less than you, but not the legacies.

Do you have something in your past? Check ride? DUI? Otherwise, keep at it.

PotatoChip

Walking around MSP today I saw at least 10 DAL FOs who appeared under 30. One of them must have been 25. I don’t get it.
But I’m not in charge of hiring.

TiredSoul

I’m not even going to try and understand the whole hiring process.
Tried SW three times and with a 737 type couldn’t get the time of day.
Tried JB six times, last time with 2 internal recommendations.
Crickets....
Present employer tried for three years and got on.
Mysteries of the Universe.

PotatoChip

By “tried xx times”, do you mean interviewed?
Because I’ve applied double those amounts, at least! And crickets. With several internals.

OOfff

Oh god, the horror of hiring young people!

PotatoChip

Hiring young people is fine. Especially if they are qualified, of course how could you have anything against that?

The horror is for those of us in our 40s, who have over a decade flying Delta branded airplanes, 10,000 hours flying their passengers, bachelors degrees, and have done everything else asked of us and we can’t seem to buy an interview. That’s pretty frustrating. I have several former first officers of mine, who never upgraded, who are now flying at Delta. It’s not a knock against the young people getting hired, again, I’m not in charge of hiring. But nobody cant see it is frustrating for us “lost decade“ types seeing 25-year-olds get picked up and having a dream lifestyle laid out in front of them.

And personally, I’ve done everything I can think to do to secure the job. In-house job fair, professional app reviews, Delta friends reviewing the app, etc. One busted check ride on my record, and speeding tickets. Heck, I even went out and got a masters degree. And I’ve even had my app reviewed by one of the Delta pilots that scores apps... “ just keep doing what you’re doing“. And I know that is something many of us have heard at least a dozen times each.

I’m not trying to come off as bitter, but I think you can at least understand the frustration that thousands of regional pilots probably have when they see somebody 20 years younger than them get the job they’ve been working their entire life towards. By year two, at age 28, these guys will make more money then many of us may ever see in our current jobs.

wiz5422

Should pick a regional with a flow, for this exact reason. Hiring done by HR is a joke. Your future and career are like playing the lottery, you never know when your number will be called if at all.