CJCCA

They're hiring 2 year regional FOs in their early to mid 20's, so I'd say you're plenty competitive in the current climate. Get the app in and wait for a call.

King Bear

I’m also an HC-130 guy. Delta extended me an interview invite with only 1700 total hours. There’s a chance…

Delta needs pilots, so I can’t imagine you wouldn’t be considered if your app is in good order.

FangsF15

Wrong. Until OE complete, they don’t even need an excuse. ALPA would still try to help you, but there ain’t squat they can do until OE completion. Even after OE you don’t have full protection, but there must be cause.

Having said that, the number of pilots fired in their first year is exceptionally low. Like, really low. And it’s not for stuff like this. The key here is “prudent planning” (like, return early if there was a winter storm, not taking the red eye back, no backup, etc. ). If there was a simple unforeseeable mx delay/divert, and you got back late, you’ll still have a job.

Wolf424

That’s one nice thing about the way we score apps by hand. I know a Captain who worked in hiring pre-pandemic, and he said they take into account the quality of your flying vs hours.

2000 CRJ hrs ≠ 2000 C-17 hrs ≠ 2000 C-130 hrs ≠ 2000 F-16 hours

The type of flying experience you have plays a large role.

Absolutely apply as soon as you think your app is ready.

2fly1034

As someone who went to a 141 flight school right into the 121 world with a few things that check the volunteer experience what’s the trick to getting the interview. I did a application review update airline apps once a week or more depending on the amount of flying have roughly 3700 total time and just shy of 1000 TPIC

myrkridia

Timeline for anyone interested:

• Application submitted 10/24
• "Fix it" email 10/27
• One LOR submitted 10/29
• Updated app 10/30
• Invite to assessment 11/2 (2 emails, link 11/3)
• Assessment taken 11/7
• Invite to interview 11/8
• Scheduling process 11/10
• 1/11 changed to 12/16 on 12/3
• 12/16 interview, CJO same day (emails followed on the same day)
• Background Paperwork email - 12/23 (docs uploaded same day)
• Background follow-up email 12/27 for extra paperwork
• First person in class to get class date 1/4(mil), 1/12 (civ)
• Background check completion 1/14
• Class date offered 1/18 for 2/8

Rumor was mil get backgrounds done faster. That was true in my group but the DL rep I spoke with said it was not necessarily true. PRIA is still pending, it is not required to be completed to start indoc.

Big E 757

My head is spinning. I don’t miss the days (years) of trying to get hired by a major. Well done, congrats, and welcome to Delta!

DryClutch

It's def not a deal breaker. When I interviewed a few years ago, I had almost 9000 hrs TT, and I can't remember the exact number, but my Airline Apps totals vs. my paper logbooks (i'd never gone digital), were off by about 80 hours. I combed through my logs endlessly to try to root out the error with no success. No one ever mentioned the discrepancy in the HR panel interview, they even commented on how nice my logbooks appeared. And at this point at almost 9000 hrs I was down to logging the basics, only a daily flight time total, not much info on the flights, multiple legs on one line, no tail numbers, no IMC/night, just estimated those, etc. Maybe because it was all done by hand and consistent they didn't decide to make it an issue? Or I was barely hanging on in the HR panel so they didn't have time to pick that apart too? I guess have an answer ready if they decide to bring it up though.

myrkridia

Thanks! My only regret is not applying sooner.

SalishPirate

Howdy all, I have an interview scheduled in mid March. I have 0 LORs. Does anyone know if they are desired for application scoring or for decision making at the interview. If it’s scoring well I don’t need to go chase those down. Otherwise I know 1 DL pilot and any other LOR will come from another 121 or 91 (corporate) pilot. Cheers!