Hiring 2021
 

Aloha,

I figured I would start a new thread, has anyone heard of any hiring rumors for 2021, or is it looking slim for the year? TIA

20 from the pool this year and 40-100 in 2022.

New vacancy bid adds 58 new hire positions in 2022.
Will likely be another bid for 787 staffing coming up as well.

I noticed the past windows were usually in November. Do you think this will be the case with the vacancy bid? I fly in the mainland but want to get back to family and live in Hawaii!

They should open the application window around October/November time frame. It sounds like it’ll be 100 new hires in 2022 (after the 787 bid comes out).

Love it and can’t wait! I know the first year pay is a right of passage but I need to be home lol. Any other tips for getting on with Hawaiian?

I know first year pay is on the agenda during contract negotiations, but I don’t anticipate a change soon.

We’re planning on reopening Japan in the 4th quarter of this year. As of now it’s looking like the 787’s will be growth and not replacements for the 330’s…for now…

Thanks for the words of encouragement and I didn’t know about the contract update. That’s really good. So ready to leave the regional lol although it’s been good to me and my family, it’s time we had a chance to move back.

Keep at it and you’ll be here soon. 🤙🏼

Mahalo brother! Will do!

What are the schedules like for the wide body aircraft? How many days away from base normally?

During the OBAP webinar last week, representatives said that they would honor previous CJOs given “later” this year and that the hiring window would open sometime early next year (Februaryish). They did mention that no official dates for opening the window are set in stone so hoping it’s as early as later this year.

I just received word from management they are concerned that they might not have enough 330 pilots towards the end of this year. I would expect the company to burn through the pool pretty fast and restart the hiring process by quarter four (subject to change of course)…

Mostly 2 and 3 day trips leaving mid afternoon and returning late morning to early afternoon on the last day. Reserves are currently utilized to about 35-45 hours per month.

great to hear, as a current poolie! Would they need 330 FOs or 717 like we’ve been told or both ? Thanks !

There is a lot of movement currently (with more on the horizon). I would say a good portion of the new hires will be assigned the 717 (with a bunch of the current 717 pilots jumping to the 330/321), but you never know…

That’s great news for some of the hopefuls like myself. I know this question is highly subjective but any idea what the average or competitive minimums are for flight time for those who have recently gotten or in the past couple of years?

I think the bare minimum is a year at a mainland regional. More typically 2-3, I myself had nearly 4 yrs though. So, 2000 - 4000 hrs. PIC varied, but certainly helps with the interview process. Having a Hawaii connection helps and showing them why you’re a good fit is important. I’ve known Locals that got the tbnt and plenty non locals hired on their first shot. Just Be the candidate they want you to be hehe

Thank you for the info, much appreciated!

Thank you for the information. That’s the perfect schedule for what I would love to work.

Thanks for posting guys, I’ve got those hours. Mainland Captain here at the regional for over 3 years. I’ll take any flying whether it’s a trip with the 330 or day trips on the 717. I applied when I was a FO during the last window almost 2 years ago and barely at the minimums, of course didn’t get the invite. Hoping for a better shot this time. Would be nice to finally be home!

I know that the hiring is mostly about the pilots but I have seen that they are hiring for an aircrew instructor. Is there any one with information about that?

Don't have any info on that, but realistically you are better off continuing to fly if that's what you are already doing.
The instructor position requires two years before consideration for a pilot position. You lose that time gaining PIC and experience for a maybe slot that still pays $36k for the first year.
Its a good place to be if you want to live in Hawaii. If that is not your primary and only real goal, its not worth it.

Current cargo guy here looking to move home and fly for Hawaiian in about 2-3 years. Any idea what the hiring/growth/attrition forecast looks like for the next 5 years or so? What does Hawaiian’s hiring cycle typically look like? One window every year? Thanks for the info!

These are all ballpark number as I don’t have anything to reference at the moment. Just based off of the last vacancy there are about 100 unfilled positions. Going from around 850 pilots to around 950. The 787s start arriving in 2022. There is a class of 10 starting in October with more to come from the current pilot pool. Lately the application window has opened toward the end of the year with interviews starting in late December or early January. I would expect that to be the case this year, but there has not been any official comms on it. I think the retirements are in the range of 20-30 a year over the next 5-10 years.

overall, I think there will be some growth and a steady stream of retirements, but nothing that will light the world on fire.

Great info, thanks! What’s the rumor mill regarding those bidding from the 717 to the wide bodies when the 787s come online or even a move to the 330 (I read the inter island flying is becoming less palatable due to more layovers)? Reason I ask is if there’s a good chance I could get hired on to fly a wide body, I may apply early and commute for a few years until I can move home to Hawaii. If I’d have to spend the first several years flying inter island, I may wait a year or two — my assumption is the inter island guys work more days per month than the other fleets in order to meet min hours. This is all assuming I could get hired. Thanks!

prior to June there was no overnights Interisland. There’s been a lot of movement because of it. Junior 717 guys are either getting reserve or 8-9 overnight schedules a month. It’s more work with less credit than the other aircraft for sure. As far as who goes where when the 787 vacancy opens its anyone’s guess. 787 will go very senior, but the secondary awards will be interesting to see. My suggestion is to apply early and often. If you get hired you can bypass a class date if the aircraft you want isn’t available. Commuting for 717 is possible, but not ideal.

Thanks for the reply. That all makes sense. I had no idea you could simply bypass a class date if the aircraft you want isn’t in the drop. That makes the timing/commuting issue a little easier for me… I’ll take your advice and apply early and see how things pan out.

There is no guarantee that you’ll get widebody by simply bypassing a class. Most classes are a mix of NB and WB. FWIW.

Get your seniority number before worrying about what aircraft you are in.
Everything changes, but that number could make a difference down the road.

Thanks, av8or55 and Rama. I agree with both of you. Without going into detail, my situation is complicated but you’re right, I should just try to get on board ASAP. Looking forward to the next hiring window!

It is possible to show up to class and your aircraft assignment could change from what you were told. The aircraft are assigned by class seniority, which is based on the last 4 of your social (i e. 0001 being the most likely to get the aircraft they want).

i would absolutely agree with this statement. It certainly made a difference for me last year. I was just referring to the fact that one should not wait to apply based on commutability. Apply first and worry about the other stuff after you get an offer.

App Window
 

Is it still looking like Q1 2022 for the hiring window to open?

i would expect so. If not sooner like in December… keep an eye out for it.

I was told that Southwest has been really aggressive with island and even inter island flights. Is this much of a threat to Hawaiian?

Threat yes. But no foregone conclusion. SWA has struggled to get traction despite throwing lots of money away. The main reason they are doing so is to cause HAL harm, and assert dominance, but Not to necessarily run them under.

care to elaborate? Why would SWA want to enter a market at a loss just to inflict damage on a carrier with different clientele. Have the load factors on the 737 been dismal?

Cos they’re ruthless? Harsh maybe but they don’t muck around. HAL in comparison is too timid imho.

Dismal loads despite fire-sale fares. HAL’s loads are double. What their up to is no different than what their up to everywhere else they fly. Outlast. Time will tell since there is a limit, even for them. HAL and other small carriers have been underestimated by all in the past.