I've been lurking for a while, but having just submitted my apps I figured it's time to seek out a few answers to some still lingering questions. My biggest is the length of time given to accept an offer if I'm lucky enough to be granted one. For DAL and UA, is there a max length of time you can wait before you have to accept an offer and start training? I understand waiting is definitely not a good idea if you can help it due to the huge loss of seniority, but due to a few issues in my current job it may be to my benefit to do so. Just wondering if there's any flexibility - 1 month, 6 months? Or do you have a limited number of class start dates you can turn down before you have to go? Thank you!

 

For my airline it's 1 class. You can defer once class date and after that you have to reapply. I'm guessing extenuating circumstances would be evaluated on a per case basis.

 

Can you post or PM your airline? Thus far I've only applied to Delta and United.

 

I think you need to be clearer on the extenuating circumstances. Tons of ex/retired military on here. If you're in Leavenworth, that's a little different from an active duty service commitment. Also, I believe as part of the application process, both airlines require you to tell them your earliest availability, which is also in your best interest.

I'm at Delta, but was hired a long time ago. There will be new guys who can marshal your question better than me.

 

Yes, I'm on mil duty but can end when I want. I really am asking for some personal reasons and curiosity. Thanks!

 

It seems that there's about a 2 month wait, or more, between a job offer and the start of class at DAL. I can't think of a single good reason why you would extend on active duty, versus accepting the first class date offered, if you can get out at any time.

 

Cool, thanks for the info.

 

I love the mil guys that come on here and just assume they will have multiple offers to choose from. Meanwhile you have tens of thousands of current airline guys with thousands of hours of 121 experience just hoping to get a call by one legacy carrier.

Arrogance much? You'll fit right in a delta.

 

Birth of a child perhaps? Not wanting to be caught out with zero medical coverage? Or finishing 20yrs. Or a pending home sale, or or or.

Delta called me on Wednesday morning, asked if I could be in class on Friday morning. "Yes Ma'am!". Then I had to figure out how to quit my freight job while on a layover.

When I showed up for class on Friday morning, I was invited to Snake Smith's office to explain how I left my previous job. Seems the Chief Pilot had called Delta and told them how I quit on a layover, and what a butt hole I was.

I told Snake, "Every airline pilot I know has told me, 'Never give up a class date, that could mean the difference between making Captain or staying F/O for YEARS!".

Snake smiled, shook my hand, and said, "I think you are going to have a fine career here at Delta Air Lines, now get on back to class.".

 

Sorry to offend, I thought I made it clear I had no such assumptions when I stated "if I'm lucky enough to be given [an offer]." I feel this thread is causing more trouble than I would have liked. I'll ask the mods to delete. Thanks for the data though .