Originally Posted by SparkySmith (Post 2734253)

I have no hiring department experience (other than two days wearing a charcoal suit and red tie), but I assess that military aviation training is the valuable piece.

1) I’ve flown with a good number of Army helo and other helo background captains. In fact, my trip tomorrow is with a former US Army A320 CA.

2) My guess is that the military fixed wing time is less important than the successful completion of a military aviation training program, regardless of the service. By the time you have been rated an ATP and upgraded at the regionals, you’ve demonstrated you can do the airline job. The military piece demonstrates that you can focus, study and complete a challenging syllabus on a fixed schedule. That gives the selection folks confidence that you won’t take a bunch of reflys to complete DAL training and that your ego will likely not be a factor (as military aviation programs generally have little tolerance for “this is how I do it.”)

So go succeed at a regional, succeed at Ft. Rucker and prepare your application and yourself for the interview. See you in the lounge in a few years. If you snore please lay on your side in the quiet room.


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Originally Posted by GuardPolice (Post 2734312)

Republic doesn’t have a Delta Guaranteed Interview. It’s a program that guarantees a minimum number of applications from Republic and other DCI carriers will be reviewed each month.

Only Endeavor has the DGI.

Originally Posted by Hawk739 (Post 2734252)

Hi all,

I’m new to the forum. I would greatly appreciate some advice from current/retired Delta pilots.

My end goal is to fly for Delta Air Lines and I want to take the best path that leads me to it.

I’m currently a First Officer for Ameriflight in the EMB-120, almost sitting in the ATP minimums, once I reach them I’ll plan to move into a regional. For now my two top choices are Endeavor air or Republic airline.

Endeavor because of the DGI program
Republic because of the Delta guaranteed interview program

The thing is I don’t know which route is better. I have my degree in linguistics, I commissioned as a second LT in the US Army reserve component. I branched Army Aviation. I’ve heard Delta likes military hiring but since I’ll be flying UH-60 helicopters, maybe Delta may not considered it as they do with fixed wing military?

Originally Posted by ApachePhil (Post 2734495)

Welcome! Delta does hire the occasional Army guy; I am one of them. I retired from the Army and had 8500 hours, evenly split between RW and FW time. So, it can be done.

My advice to you would be to find a regional, not because your application will be reviewed, but rather for QOL. Flow programs and guaranteed interview
agreements come and go.


You are going to be juggling 3 balls for a while: family, work, guard/reserves. I'd not complicate things by picking a regional in which you have to commute to. Regionals change status often, by design. So the beauty queen today will be the ugly duckling before long. So, I'd pick one that you can work from home as long as you can drill from home as well.

Some things to think about...If you have a seniority number before you go to Ft Rucker, you will build seniority while on long term orders. This can be a double edge sword. Some major/legacy carriers scrutinize attendance at previous employers. They can't discriminate by virtue that you would go on extended orders, but they can hire everybody else but you. Wanting to work for Delta is great, but I know guys that are very well qualified and haven't been called. So, I'd not put all your eggs in one basket. The pilot shortage and recent contracts have made all the Legacy, Cargo, and Major and most ULCC airlines very good places to work. So, when you qualify, cast a wide net! As a matter of fact, having an ATP and being a military flight school grad will put you in favor for airlines like JetBlue and Frontier. You may not even need to go to a regional.

Good luck and keep us posted!! Feel free to ask questions.

Originally Posted by Hawk739 (Post 2734314)

That is what I meant... “A guaranteed application review”

Originally Posted by Mad Hatter (Post 2734679)

A Delta pilot who recommends you to pilot selection accomplishes this task.