Thanks a lot Sulkair, I really appreciate it!

If I were to change anything, I would have tried even harder to explain that although I do have apps in to United and Delta, I have spent the last 10 years of my life trying to get back to Colorado and have no intention of commuting for another 10 years for United (or permanently for Delta). I explained to the panel during my stage one interview that I have been in the jumpseat for both Frontier and United, and the difference in culture is quite remarkable and made a big impression on me. I should have relayed this story again to JP, instead of worrying that I was repeating a story one of the other panel members have have heard earlier. My letters of recommendation highlight my desire to keep my flying customers happy, and I know this is something that is cherished by Frontier, not so much by the others. Again, I should have re-iterated that particular strength and compatibility with JP.

I have to admit I was extremely disappointed when I received the email. I was just crushed. But I just came back from backpacking in the mountains the past several days, and have a clear head again and am back to my optimistic self. Thanks again, and I'm looking forward to trying again in the future!

 

Eh...? I'm sorry to hear how this went for you, and it certainly does sound like you have the "I want to be here" attitude that Frontier is seeking--but you lost me on this point. Which carrier(s) do you suppose don't desire to keep their flying customers happy??

 

It's not that I think other carriers don't care at all, it's just that customer satisfaction is not high on the priority list. I'm on the front lines everyday at work with a certain express carrier, and I see it and it frustrates the heck out of me. The crews often do what they can, but without the proper tools and culture, it's doomed to failure.

 

Have you ever seen a legacy pilot help bring up strollers, car seats, or wheelchairs? I flew A LOT on the Majors before coming to F9, and never saw such behavior.

Standing by to be corrected...

 

Yes. I've seen a united captain serve coffee to passengers at the gate during a delay. Also watched one delta guy push a wheel chair up the jetbridge.

F9 is by far the nicest guys I've met though, seen them do stuff like that all the time.

 

Jesus, GMAFB. UAL hires a lot of guys/gals with ZTPIC...........

 

I know at least three of them, but they all had special "qualifications".

 

Yeah.. Because watching a computer fly a plane from the left seat is a whole lot different than the right. TPIC is an arbitrary metric and is given importance by insecure folks that are still lost in some Sky Captain of Yesteryear childhood wet dream. Airlines that have too many resumes and no need to smartly filter the applicant pool use it. I've sat in both seats with multiple jobs. Anyone that feels like one side of the plane is worth more than the other is living in fantasy land.

I'm guessing the "special qualifications" you're referring to are gender or race? It's just not fair is it? I so rarely see white males in mainline flight decks.

 

I disagree. I learned a lot being a captain. It changes the way you think about things and how you approach problem solving. I've been told by many captains at frontier that they can always tell if the FO was a captain themself or not. Note, that's not to say that an FO can't or won't make a great FO at a major, but I think a person with PIC time is more likely to be a better day to day line pilot. I believe someone who has sat in the left seat is going to be more helpful to the guy in that seat when he needs help.

The mindset is different between the captain and the FO. I think being a captain is a very valuable experience.

 

I'm guessing you were hired low-time and upgraded relatively quickly? Your ability to lead and make decisions should have no bearing on the seat you're in, but I can see how you may "believe" differently. The mindset is only different to folks that are unable to think. Sure, when you start at a new carrier you don't know the ropes and plane as well as the guy in the left seat; however, if that separation doesn't plateau quickly then something is very wrong. To each their own, but I'd much rather fly with a great pilot that can make good decisions and not judge them on some no science group-thought arbitrary metric on their résumé. In my experience a great candidate has nothing to do with TPIC. TPIC is just a badge some of you guys like to wear because you're caught in that dream I mentioned earlier. Been there, done that. Time to grow up.