Too many hours?
 

Struck up a conversation with a seasoned RJ LCA. Been at XYZ for 15 years. Happy where they are at but was a bit deterred about applying due to being told once upon a time that having too many hours/ years at a regional was a knock against you?

Once I answers the “what’s it like” type questions, he seemed a bit intrigued. Thoughts on the length of service being counted against someone applying?

I got hired with 14,000 hours so it isn’t impossible, but I was in the left seat of a heavy at the time so perhaps size does indeed matter.

I recently flew with a guy who’d conducted pilot interviews for Delta in the past. He said that high hours would make you a less desirable candidate but wasn’t necessarily a show stopper. My advice to anyone interested is to go ahead and apply and let the selection team decide your fate rather than your own misgivings. You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.....

It's beyond ridiculous to not apply because of a rumor. That's a losers mentality. Growing up, I was told by lots of people that I couldn't be an AF pilot because I wore glasses...sure glad I didn't listen to those ignorant folks!

Maybe the ideal “slot” of hours gets offers first. But as soon as things start dropping down to close to minimums for PIC, those lifers or near lifers will look pretty good (unless they has some other disqualifying blemish).

At least my 2 cents.

I was told I was too tall to fly for the Navy.

Didn't keep me from flying. Did make a couple aircraft not available to me (EA-6B, one other im forgetting)

In a twist of irony, it wasn't true then, but now I can't fly the T-6B, due to sitting height.

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I heard this a lot at my regional. I often heard it from longtime CAs who had applied and were (rightly) discouraged they never got the call but all their FOs with no PIC did. BUT, when I dug deeper usually the only thing the CAs did was apply, and the FOs did volunteering, job fairs, LoRs, etc.

I think there is some truth to it, and that industry wide many airlines believe past a certain point you are harder to train and harder to mold into what they want. That being said, if you have many other good quals like LCA, etc. it's probably just another +/- in the points system. If you have enough good to out-weigh the 'bad' (if flight time is bad :confused: ) then you'll get the call somewhere (even if it's not DAL).

The points system Delta uses to score apps doesn’t apply less points for someone with more hours. It may come up in the HR portion of the interview but honestly they are just looking for well rounded candidates that will mesh well with the current pilot group.

I don't think its about having too many hours, but more about the personality of those individuals. Delta(or any major airline) will wonder why didn't this guy apply 10 years ago if he really wanted to work here.

Everyone told me I was just too handsome for this career and look at me now! Balding and getting fatter every day in a mainline jet

https://youtu.be/WzSROE_7Lv8