Delta Competitive Mins
 

Anybody know what Delta is looking for realistically? Delta's been a long time dream and I hope to be a part of it one day. Thanks.

yeah military guys

Anybody else?

If you look at the previous posts on this subject, you'll see that we're not hiring just ex-military guys. I'm not part of the inner circle here, but it seems that the common thread isn't a lot of PIC time, but rather a good attitude (i.e. someone we could fly with on a 4 day trip). Also valuable would be some stan/eval or line check pilot experience. ( Maybe someone who's in new hire class right now could verify the stan/eval/LCP thing.)

Bottom line: if you meet the mins, apply!

Lots of civillians getting hired
 

The class mix is around 50/50. I am mid time with 5,800 hours and 3,000 jet 121 PIC. We have a couple of Marines, four (I think) Air Force, several Navy, 7 ASA, 3 Comair, 2 SkyWest, 2 Jet Blue and a Continental pilot in class. The high time pilot has around 8,000, the low might be a little less than 2,000. He is a fighter driver. (some of the fighter guys have a lot of 0.5 and 0.7 in the logbook so a low time fighter guy has more experience than you would think)

If you meet published mins you should get your application in. To get to the top of the pile (between 3,500 and 10,000 applicants - we hear different numbers) you need to emphasize what extra skills you bring to the table. Delta wants the image of a sharp looking professional pilot who is happy to assist passengers in the terminal, who goes out of their way to complete a mission safely, efficiently an with excellent customer service. To get that pilot, Delta seems to be looking at your history of accomplishements and interests outside the airplane. If you served in Safety, Line Check Airman, IP, or even in some service capacity, it helps. Even if it is something as simple as a Habitat for Humanity build, Delta is looking for the type who participates and trys to make the place even better than they found it.

Delta is the best employer in the business right now. Next year could see 1,000 probationary pilots on the property. As the 777LRs hit the property the staffing models for these ultra long range jets requires lots of pilots. When you consider the good morale, decent pay and the way they treat their employees Delta is worth making a max effort to get on board at the start of a wave.

I'm not so deep in the cool aid that I don't recognize that Delta has its challenges for the junior pilot. PBS bidding is not so great and the senior four day trips on the MD88 are not as good as the average junior line at a regional. But, overall the situation at Delta is VERY good.

Sounds like Good news, Im not sure I would leave CAL for DAL, but to each his own.............

Excellent post!

Tom

My best friend and boat partner is an 11 year Delta pilot. If I showed him this post you'd move up a number because he'd have a cardiac. He paints a very different picture. About the only thing he likes is the PBS. I am glad however that you are happy there. Delta's future is you and people like you. The guys that have been around a while have taken it in the shorts so badly that many are very bitter. It's nice to see a positive upbeat attitude. Best wishes to you. ;)

If your friend has been at Delta for 11 Yrs, then he has never been furloughed, is probably a senior intl FO or an 88 Capt, and recieved approx $300k from the Note Payout. He likes PBS, because it is ok for senior pilots. He is one year from top pay in any seat. He is at a rising company that seems to have a plan. He will probably recieve another $200k from the Claim payout and got a fairly large MPPP check. Depending on his age, will have a nice amount in his 401k at age 60. If age 65 hits, then he will do quite nicely (assuming good health). He lost 42% of his pay from the best airline contract ever awarded. He also moved up 2000 line numbers when the over 50 crowd left. Based on what else is going on in the industry, he is fortunate.

Lots of times, airline pilots will make their own life hard. The choose to commute, choose to sit reserve, and choose to spend more than they should. Your friend is probably a great guy, but those other factors may be included in his attitude.

Morale actually is good. Hopefully the good relations between the Union and the Company will continue. Time will tell. I'm optimistic, yet cautious (furloughed for 5 years).

I'll second the comments about morale being good. I'm flying with F/Os with hire dates ranging from 1991 to 2000 (JFK 767ER), and nearly every one of them has a good, positive attitude. That wasn't the case for the last couple of years, but with emergence from bankruptcy and all that's come with it ( claim, note, new airplanes, new hires, a plan for the future), it's a new day here at Delta.