Sliceback

Majors are hiring 25%(?) of their 'highly qualified' pool in any year. That percentage is expected to increase.

The pool gets refreshed every year as a guy becomes 'highly qualified' as they improve their resume. But the drain at the top of the pool will trickle down.

Back in 1984 not everyone got hired. Several years later almost everyone had been hired. S*cks while you wonder if, or when, the phone will finally ring.

dada9898

Thank You!

I initially had about 7 or 8 LOR's and thought I was doing good. Then I was told that 14+ LOR's is one of the things that really separate applicants so I got my LOR's up. I also had tons of extra-curricula activities dating all the way back to high school and lots of volunteer/community service dating back to college.

I had my app in for over a year with a 01 December availability date but I just retired in 01 March. I updated or at least logged in weekly. I also hear the Part 121 Regional time is a huge plus for military.

I hope something breaks soon for you.

mrjiggs287

Thanks Sliceback and dada9898,
I apologize if my frustration showed through in my post last night. I am retiring, as well. In fact, I go terminal in 69 days and 17 hours; but, who's counting . I had three phone calls from regionals almost immediately after publishing my app back in March '14. I guess I will take up their interview offers if I don't hear something within 60 days of my official retirement date (1 Dec 15).

I am truly happy to see well deserving people finally get the call. I will continue to log in and update regularly. I'll start asking all my contacts for LoRs regardless of airline affiliation. I also have a bunch of extra-curricular and volunteer stuff on my apps and resume. Sounds like patience and tenacity are the key.

Again, best of luck!

Lobaeux

Don't get discouraged! When I retired, I had one interview under my belt (JetBlue) and no offers on the table. i did everything I could to prepare for any forthcoming interviews, Emerald Coast prep, self-study, etc.

I'm convinced it's just luck of the draw and short of actually knowing someone sitting on a hiring panel, it's a crap shoot when someone gets called. I have seen many guys with impeccable credentials not getting a sniff, yet other guys getting multiple interview invites. For example, I had two internal recs for JetBlue, got a call to interview, two internal recs at Delta, haven't heard a thing and only my attendance at Higher Power got me an interview at Southwest. No rhyme or reason.

Keep plugging away, keep networking, and attend those job fairs. You are 100% right on the patience aspect of it. Volunteer work and extra-curricular stuff are great, even better if they're with aviation organizations where you can network.

Good luck, I'm sure it's only a matter of time.

showmepilot

Congrats! I have a UAL CJO as well. I was told to expect 7 or 14 July. How about you?

Sliceback

mrjiggs - IMO terminal leave should be spent in training for your new regional airline. If getting a 121 job is a key trigger hitting the trip wire ASAP is the goal. With luck it might be for your final major job.

You CAN interview for a regional job prior to terminal leave. What's the timeline, two months from interview to start date at some of the regionals? That means interviewing in August, which means applying????

Met a guy at WAI in 2014. Retiring. He was going to take a couple of months off. Everyone who'd been in the business said "don't do that. Jump on the pony and chase the job." He got a regional job. Updated his resume "hired by XX' and one of the Big 4 called. Finished IOE, updated his applications, and two of the other Big 4 called. It still took 8 months from DOS/retirement to starting training.

Good luck.

Lobaeux

The only drawback to accepting a regional job is the threat of a hiccup in training. None of us plan on a job in the regionals being a long term thing, nor do any of us plan on having a training failure, but it is something to think about.

A training failure at a 121 carrier isn't a death sentence, but it will affect you in getting a call from a major airline.

Just something to think about, anyone can have a bad day.

dada9898

Congrats to you as well !

I was told "expect" mid July. Would know for sure ~29 days prior.

fishforfun

At WAI BK told the crowd that United stops counting after 10 LOR and they don't care if you have flown with them. They are looking for work ethic. He said they are adjusting the weight of internal vs external recs but wasn't exactly sure how it would settle out. Mr Kraby with Delta said guys would not get a call with a date of availability greater than 60 days. That seems to be shifting slightly to some getting the call at 100 but many do not get a call until actually separated or retired. I wouldn't expect a call inside of 90 days after separating or retiring. Congrats if one comes sooner but I wouldn't plan for it.

mrjiggs287

Thanks again, slice back....I am certainly going to consider your advice carefully. My concern is the latest trend of regionals requiring signing bonuses. But, I guess if that is what it takes, then, one would be wise just to hold onto the money for that first year. If the offer comes from a major in the commitment time-frame one would just need to pay the money back.

Lobaeux, thanks for the input as well. You make sense when you mention the "hiccup" at training for a regional. I know that no one is immune to a bad day regardless of experience. That fact was driven home last October when I got my ATP ticket. I did not hook the check ride; but, the evaluator did not like my lead foot on the rudder pedal during a simulated engine failure in a light twin. So, he made me re-accomplish the maneuver. Go figure, an IP with over 2400 B-52 hours would have trouble with an engine failure in a light twin. It was a good reminder that not all flying is the same.