Does the current CPP deal require a college degree? The HR people involved in both the selection process and hiring place such a premium on the degree that I would think that the chances of making it through the interview process without one were slim. Personally, knowing how the airlines view the degree, I can’t imagine not having one if you want to work for a company that pays well. I would also expect people to have to go through the full interview process. It could be in stages such as having to pass the Hogan and have a review of your employment history to get into the program. Once in you would eventually get an unbiased interview where you would be treated like any other applicant.

I wouldn’t hold my breath for flow either. The pool of qualified applicants is still big enough that United can afford to hire who they want.

I don’t think we will get a flow. What is the primary purpose of the CPP from United’s perspective?

1. To keep the regional feed staffed. This is the primary goal. The carrot on the stick. It will still be a gimmick to some degree. At the end of the day the primary purpose of the program is marketing the regionals to potential new hires.

2. To assist them in meeting their hiring needs. In the hiring environment of the next 2-3 years it is likely that United will have to become a little less selective. For the next year or two they are likely to continue to require a degree but as the pool of applicants without one grows they will have to back off of that.

What United has to do is a better job of marrying the 2 goals. The previous CPP became nothing but a marketing tool because they hired so few from the CPP and continued to hire primarily off the street. It got so bad that it lost all of its credibility as a recruiting tool. Thus the current need to revamp. It’s not meeting goal #1.

Will United find the right balance this time? We will see. I have my sincere doubts. It will sound good at first but as things play out it will become apparent that goal #2 isn’t really a goal at all. United will not show any preference whatsoever to CPP applicants vs. OTS applicants. The value as a recruiting tool will be good at first then lose credibility again as it becomes apparent it is just another facade. Then it will be time for a new revamp.

I hope I am wrong.

In thinking about the possible CPP changes, I believe there may be an initial interview or just the Hogan initially to get in the pool. Then around two years of being a Captain at said regional a Final Review of sorts looking back on everything adds up to a score to whether or not you can go to UA. Then you may get a second chance 12-24 months later if goals aren’t met.

The next standing bid will allow them to advertise 1-2 years as an FO, 2 years a CA and you will be able to get your place at UA. Some version of that will be in place imo.

Requirements for a degree still there, Company friendly policies (i.e Sick, Training, Upgrade) and hopefully the 25% of all XJT pilots to UA will be there still.

I fail to see how an interview at one of the highest paying airlines on the planet is a gimmick. Most of us would have loved to have that deal 20-30 years ago.

Agreed, however times have changed. American wholly owned operators give you one interview when you come aboard. If you meet their standards you are in the queue to move on to the majors. No walking on eggshells wondering if you'll get the review and final acceptance.

Just because people payed for training years ago, made $22hr starting and worked 16 hr days doesn't mean that has to be the status quo from here until eternity. Things change.

United says this will be industry leading. Let's see what they deliver.

It's a gimmick because after you interview you aren't offered a job. In fact you get a letter explicitly telling you that you are not being offered a job, but that you did pass the interview and moved on in the process. They use it as a way to keep people from bailing to other regionals or even to the ULCCs. That's how it is a gimmick.

I wouldn't expect a true flow to be coming, and like PH said, I'd be very skeptical of the term "industry leading". Hoping the program gets some major improvements for you all though because there are a lot of good captains and FOs at XJT that should be over at UAL.

Agree. But only if you had a legitimate shot at getting through the process. The way hiring has managed the CPP thus far, it's akin to the pref interviews that were given to AWAC back in the early 90's after the buy and breakup, etc.

I get that, but many people seemed shocked or even betrayed if they didn’t get a job offer. I have flown with several of the captains who have been very involved in the interview process. They said that the majority of those who were turned down was due to how they conducted themselves at the interviews, not some skeleton in their closet. For those who treated the interview as one of the biggest days of their lives and prepared accordingly, they did well. Those who didn’t do well came across as acting like the interview as a formality or that they were already flying for United.

We can’t change the past, but going forward I’d like to see a more defined CPP program. There are plenty of good pilots at the regionals who would fit in well. If they have a degree, pass the Hogan, and pass an initial interview they get into the program. When their number comes up, providing they meet some specified experience level, they go up for a final review and interview.

It should be ONE interview, not two. The final review should be a training/attendance/legal review. That’s it. Once you pass the interview, you should be in the pool, and it’s essentially yours to lose. The final review should be transparent, and limited to the items as claimed. Nobody should have to THINK they are in the pool and stick around for 2 more years.....only to be told NO at the review, with no actual explanation that matches what was stated as disqualifying items. (Yes, it has happened)

First, UA doesn't owe you any explanation. I bombed the first interview and didn't get an explanation. Second. The folks saying they have no idea why they go dropped out off the cpp during the final review. I guarantee there is a good reason. Some are embarrassed to admit. Some ticked off. It's easier when you know you have something in your background and hoping they won't catch it to tell everyone you don't know why you got dropped out of the program. But whether they admit it or not there was something in their background.