What’s the expected flow time to AA from PSA? Should I chase that and apply for PSA or choose QOL over at Skywest?

 

If you have a clean record, aren’t heartset on going to AA, and have a degree I would go to Skywest. The flow time for a new hire right now is expected to be around 7 years and if you come here you’ll spend a year on reserve barely flying.

 

Those are very generous numbers.

We have almost 2,000 pilots and we only flow 10 per month. The top 100 pilots are either lifers or people in class at American that are still on the PSA seniority list. So basically, you have to move up 1900 pilots until your flow spot comes up. Just by flow and not counting outside attrition that’s 15.83 years to flow. Obviously, there’s going to be other attrition also so our excel/math guru puts out a chart every now and then on our internal forums based on actual historical data. He works it out with different scenarios. As of the latest data from 2 weeks ago he comes up with a best case scenario of 8.6 years to flow for a new hire in the latest class. 10.3 years worst case.

The longer you wait to start class the longer your flow time increases as our flow rate doesn’t keep up with our growth rate.

 

This industry can change extremely fast so I’d be hesitant to just sit around and wait for flow. With that said, it’s really nice to have that in your back pocket as a contingency plan.

 

Go to the regionals as if there isn’t a flow.

 

Flow is career insurance. Like house insurance.

It’s good to have. Still, don’t choose a house by which one is easiest to rebuild after a fire.

 

This 'insurance' is fools gold. If AA stops hiring, there is no flow. If AA is hiring, so is everyone else and therefore it isn't necessary.

 

By that logic if AA stops hiring then no one else is likely to be hiring either. This doesn’t do anything to affect the intrinsic value of the flow as it exists right now.

 

I guess pilots can just come to PSA for the pay rates instead.


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The argument can be made that if you're not military and your daddy doesn't golf with Doug or Robert, a WO/flow is your best chance for AA if that's THEEE job you desire.

I'm not a huge supporter of the flow nor do I cheerlead for AA, but the numbers are against the Joe Schmoe if he really wants those AA wings.