So I have 8,000 hours, three type ratings, and I have been Capt on two different regional jets. I'm a Line Pilot Instructor (Simulator and GFS), I'm a Pilot Mentor for my airline, and I'm an FFDO. I've had apps out since 2012 (I was an FO for 7 years from '07-'14 not by choice), and have updated at LEAST once a month. I have seven internal recs at Delta and United, six internal recs at AA, three internals at UPS, and two at FedEx. So far I have attended two job fairs (FAPA and WAI 2016). Despite thousands of guys getting hired the last two years, the only thing I have received are TWO "fix it" emails from Delta. The first one didn't bother me, but the second one ****ed me off big time. I'm 34 years old and I'm watching 26-28 year old first officers at my regional airline go straight to the legacy carriers. I'm frustrated to the point of changing careers. Thoughts?

 

Only places I noticed you applying are the same places that everyone else likely has an app in.

Have a professional interview prep/mentor company review your apps/resume for things you missed. DAL scored your app twice and found mistakes both times- there's a decent chance the other places may be doing so as well.

Consider going to a U/LCC. It might show your career has stopped stagnating, and they could be a decent place to make a career out of if you don't make it to a Legacy/Cargo.

 

I don't know. Join the club, maybe?

 

This further confirms my suspicion that there is not really a pilot shortage.

Do you have a BA or BS? From what I've heard that's essentially a requirement at the legacies. I don't think it should be, but it's apparently something that they want.

 

There isn't a pilot shortage at any of the majors -- they are still filling classes with no problems, although they're not able to cherry-pick only the most top tier candidates now like they have been for the last 5-10 years or so.

 

I do have a BS in Prof Aviation Flight Technology... All I heard in college back in '04-'06 is how PERFECTLY my/our timing was for this career. Then I continued to hear how PERFECT my timing was by all of the older mainline captains that would frequent my jumpseat during the 7 years I was stuck in the right seat. Something's not adding up.

I agree that there isn't a shortage at the majors whatsoever. The regionals are obviously feeling it now. Maybe in five more years, it will domino to the majors, but there will always be military guys for the majors to choose from, so then again maybe not.

 

You look very well qualified; I presume you check the 1000 TPIC box which isn't a requirement but certainly helps?

Any checkride failures?

Assuming you do have 1000 TPIC I'd recommend casting a wider net with Southwest and maybe Jetblue and Atlas. You may not want to stay long-term at those places (no offense intended to those employed by those airlines!) but it may provide you a means to your desired end and get you out of a "large small jet".

Also, legacy retirements are only going to accelerate in the next few years so while I understand the frustration, there is a LOT of hiring left to be done.

 

I have exactly 959 hours of TPIC. I would have checked the 1k box earlier, but I have been accrueing time at a snails pace ever since I upgraded two years ago because of training to switch aircraft, reserve, med leave, etc.... I plan on applying to SWA the day I get 1k.

As far as checkride failures go, I have one.... CFI bust, back in 2004.

This November will mark my 10 year anniversary at my Regional. I have made that my go/no go with regards to pursuing some of the LCCs and ACMI cargo carriers.

It seems like hiring at the Legacy carriers is accomplished by tossing 10,000 applications/resumes into the air, randomly grabbing them as they fall, and inviting the ones that they grab for interviews. Lol.

 

Pretty much in the same boat as you. It's beyond frustrating to fly with FOs who have class dates at places like DL and UA, while we can't even seem to get a nibble on our lines. I guess it all boils down to how well you play the HR game nowadays. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy for those low time folks who get on with 0 TPIC and just a few years of time in the right seat, and kudos to them for figuring out this silly game that the hiring folks have laid out for us. Oh well, c'est la vie. Personally, I set a drop dead date for myself. If I'm still at my regional when that day arrives, I'm putting plan B into action, and getting out of this dysfunctional industry all together

 

Same here... I've been at a regional for six years (upgraded two years ago), and flew charter and corporate turbine equipment before that. I have 7-8 internals at each of the legacies, and LORs from CPs and LCAs at my current company.

I have zero checkride failures, and an engineering degree with a 3.5 GPA from one of the top engineering schools in the US. I have a long time history of volunteering for two different organizations. I've had my applications reviewed by two different prep companies (Cage and Emerald). I've been to several job fairs, met with recruiters, etc. They all said everything looks great. I had a Delta friend send an email to Delta HR last summer to have my app reviewed. I never heard a thing (no "fix it", so I guess at least my app was correct?).

I have apps out with United, Delta, American, FedEx, UPS, JetBlue, and Alaska. I haven't heard a word from anyone. It's definitely super awesome when I fly with a 20 something FO with no TPIC and they tell me about their United/Delta class date.

I don't understand it either. Fortunately my current gig is ok and I don't commute. Otherwise I would be considering grad school and a return to engineering. My wife is going to be a Nurse Practitioner in a couple years, and I may go back to school at that point if I'm still not able to move on.