THESCHNABB

Just had a quick question if I am in the wrong sub forum I do apologize. I currently work for Delta in Techops and am looking to pursue a career flying. I have been presented an opportunity to make twice the pay elsewhere. At this point would it be smarter for me to stay with Delta and keep a seniority number or is it so early on that making more money thru training would be the better idea? It says that the employee is allowed to take a up to a 3 year leave of absence to obtain flight time but what are the chances that Delta would pick you up within the 3 years of regional flying to start flying mainline?TIA

Scoop

If I am not mistaken your Tech Ops seniority number is a Date of Hire, not a seniority number, that is used for benefits such as non-revving priority, years of service etc.

If you were to get hired as a Pilot at Delta your Pilot seniority number would be based on your class date. In my new hire class we had a former mechanic who kept his date of hire for non-revving but was issued a new seniority number for Pilot bidding purposes. Unless they changed the policy you will be the most senior person in the class - which is otherwise base on the last 4 of your SSN.

Not sure if this answers you question but I believe DAL is promoting ways for employees to get hired as a Pilot - I would look into those.

The sooner you start flying the sooner you will be hired as a Pilot.

Scoop

Buck Rogers

good and informative answer Scoop

Schnabb, best of luck. Hope to see you on the pilot seniority list.

Beers on me in the future !!

DeadHead

Just to add on, for some food for thought, the currently seniority list is around 14,700 pilots. By the end of 2022 there will be approximately 2,700 pilots retiring and replaced by the same amount considering (1,000 newhire pilots each year).

So if you were to start flying today with a conservative target of getting hired at DAL in 5 years, that would have you on the list in the 16,000 range.

If you were to get on here with a 2023 hire date (approximate 16,000 seniority number), you would see another roughly 6,000 pilots retire over your first 10 years (2023-2033).

That would have you about a 3rd up on the current list.

The two big questions you need to consider:

Your age, what kind of career longevity could you expect?

Any health issues that could possibly prohibit you from getting a medical?

Also, keep in mind all of the above is very rough. No idea what kind of company DAL will be in 5, 10, or 15 years. Basically, a lot can change quickly, so always keep that in mind.

Time is of the essence, and I think training and getting certified as soon as possible is paramount. Good news is once you have your mins, you pretty much have your choice of regionals to go to.

Hope this helps...Best of luck.

Baradium

I am pretty sure that if he wants to take advantage of the Delta preference for becoming a pilot Endeavor is where he'll want to go.


They love bringing people back as pilots who started in other positions though.

THESCHNABB

I guess what I'm trying to get at is would it benefit me to take less pay and stay with Delta with hopes of them taking me back after regional time and taking advantage of the 3 year leave of absence they offer to go work for a regional for this specific reason or would it be better to leave the company in favor of twice the pay in an effort to benefit myself in order to flight train?

TIA

Scoop

Couldn't you take the 3 year of absence and start your flight training and then make that decision in 3 years when its time to come back? Kind of keeping all your options as long as possible.

Either way - good luck.

Scoop

Erdude32

I’m currently mentoring 3 other mid-career changers. PM me for more info. Many paths forward, none of them gets you back to Delta in 3 years. 4 years MINIMUM in a perfect universe. Stay at Delta as a part time ready reserve ramper 1-2 days a week, just enough to maintain active status. Go to school full time & as soon as you can get started. Every month you delay you’re loosing a months salary as a wide body captain at the end of your career. It’s simple math. Don’t wait.