Originally Posted by skylover (Post 1244551)

Any idea on how to begin doing that with Delta pilots now? I think having a recommendation from a current Delta employee for the internship would increase my chances of getting the internship.

Originally Posted by Justdoinmyjob (Post 1244573)

Cash. Lots and lots of cash!:cool:


On a serious note, what you are doing is a first step. The recommendations that carry the most weight are from those guys who have flown with you. That said, the ones from guys who know you through church, civic groups, or flying clubs carry a lot of weight too. Outside of that, I got a bank routing number for you if you desperately need a recommendation.

Originally Posted by acl65pilot (Post 1244539)

No kidding.

Originally Posted by skylover (Post 1244551)

Like I said above, I would have to do the Aeronautical Science degree to be eligible for reduced ATP mins (21 years old, lord knows how many hours they'll reduce it by, etc. After all, otherwise how would airlines like GoJetz stay staffed?)

Otherwise, I'd be completely onboard with your suggestion. But because of those ATP minimums, that's the driving factor for choosing AeroSci. It's a risk I'm willing to take. (But I COMPLETELY understand where you're coming from)

One thing that I believe could potentially make a huge difference in my career is networking. Any idea on how to begin doing that with Delta pilots now? I think having a recommendation from a current Delta employee for the internship would increase my chances of getting the internship.

Also, how much does Delta value academic history? I have perfect grades, 4.0 GPA, all Honors, soon to be all AP, etc. Does that make a difference for them?

Overall, the largest reason that I want to get onboard with Delta ASAP is because Delta will always be my goal, and the sooner I can get a seniority number, the better. Because I would potentially be hired for beginning summer 2019 with Delta, that's at the beginning of the retirement wave. That movement will be amazing as well...we're probably looking at 7 or 8 year upgrade times, little time on reserve, etc. I feel bad for people going to Delta in 2030 at the end of the wave!

Originally Posted by tsquare (Post 1244580)

Interview gouge. When you walk thru the door, look like a Republican banker. Don't wear a brown suit.. don't wear stylish sunglasses and good God almighty, no earbuds. Blue suit, white shirt, red tie, black Wingtip shoes. Cut your hair. If you have tatts or piercings, they better not be visible. If you got a Mike Tyson tatt on the cheek, best of luck. I think Starbucks will hire you, but your chances at DAL I would think are pretty thin.

If you stand out in some of the aforementioned ways, the secretaries will love you, but you probably won't get hired.

And the plural of ya'll is all ya'll.

Originally Posted by skylover (Post 1244549)

Right. However, there is talk that graduates from aviation colleges and military folks will get reduced minimums (including the age going down to 21)

Originally Posted by skylover (Post 1244574)

:D We'll see... (just kidding, of course)

I'll definitely have a couple recommendations from outside sources, maybe one from my first flight instructor, one from a teacher, that kind of thing. I just think something from Delta would mean more to them.

Originally Posted by hockeypilot44 (Post 1244601)

There has been talk. Every pilot having an ATP is in writing. You can not have an ATP at 21. Even if what you are proposing passes, that will be mainly to help continue staffing the regionals. I would definitely recommend trying to intern at the major you wish to work at. I would then count on using the internship to get an interview when you have competitive qualifications. That's a realistic goal. I hope it works out for you. Timing is everything. I thought like you did at one point. 9/11 happened when I was a junior in college. That set me back about 2 years. Then age 60 was changed and set everybody back 5 years. I managed to get lucky and get into my major at the same time that was changed. I am still at the bottom of the list almost 5 years later.

Originally Posted by sailingfun (Post 1244621)

On average so far at Delta pilots have been retiring around 62 years and 7 months. It was predicted to be 62.5 so very close to the original predictions. The impact has been significant but not 5 years.