I applied as a direct entry captain a few months ago and just wondering how long it took the average applicant to hear back for an interview

 

As I understand it, they are no longer hiring DECs. Last year was a **** show, and they got rid of more than half of those that hit the line.

 

I have been hearing this as well consistently with most of the guys I have been flying with here.

 

I heard 80% from an LCA. One incident is being shown around a lot at HQ for new hires I believe.

 

80%? Even worse than I'd heard. 9 out of 10 stories start with "so it was a direct entry..."

 

I can't speak for specific numbers, but I can tell you that of my initial class (this time, I'm an Envoy re-tread from '94-'06) was 15 Cadets, and 50 DECs. I was the second most senior in class, 31 years in the industry, behind a 33 year Delta CA who only had 9 months left before he aged out. At the time we were around #2000 on the seniority list. I'm currently number 877, so in 3 years I've moved up 1123 numbers. Of the 50 DECs from my class, a few were like me, coming back from early retirement, but a lot were prior airline FOs who left when covid hit and hadn't been back. 25 of the 50 in my class are still here. So anecdotally, I can't think 9 out of 10 DECs are gone, but 50% of my class is gone. I can't say how many were fired, or how many aged out, or how many got hired at another airline and just moved on. Throughout most of my career, 50% attrition from a class in 3 years would've been considered a huge amount. Today it's different. Some of the overall drive up the seniority list is based on the flow through, some on senior people getting hired OTS at majors, etc. I do know I've heard some of the stories of other DECs who were "weeded out" because of bad habits, attitudes, whatever. I'd say from looking at the list that 90% is a bit overreaching.

 

Rumors are dummmmmdeeedeeedummdumm. No way that many DECs were removed. But hey believe what you want to believe. I hear most new hires can't fly their way out of a paperbag... Although I just flew with one that was excellent... or am I lying and starting dumb rumors.

PS: We are merging with AA in Q5 of 2027
We are getting 220's instead of 170s and 190s to replace the 220's so that we are an all Embraer fleet so that we can super seniority at AA because we are Wholly Owned and current AA pilots will be stapled to the bottom so they can fly 170's out of ORD.

 

Very clever. I know a few Captains that can't fly their way out of a paper bag, which is far worse, as a new hire at least has inexperience and firehose treatment as a reason. Nobody ever said 90%, he just went with that. I said half, and then 80% was suggested as being "heard". Keeping up with a thread is difficult.

 

It isn't difficult. I made it past grade 8.
Were mistakes made with the DEC process? You betcha.. that doesn't mean 50%, 80%, I heard 99.954% had issues. One can never deny there are weak pilots on either side of the aisle. That't life. Some go on to other airlines. Some stay where they are and people bid around them. I will stand by what I said, rumors are dumb, regardless of the topic. Some never learn..

 

A conversation was had over what people had heard. Your reaction to the mere *rumor* about a **** ton of DECs being canned tells us all we need to know. Given that you're arguing against something that never happened, I'll say: LOL.