What is with the hiring process?
 

I am having a problem. I understand that many of the regional airlines have pretty low minimums (600/100, 750/200, etc...). What I don't understand is just what are some of the things recruiters look for when choosing applicants. I have had only one interview since applying for first officer positions at various regionals. So far, I have only heard back from two other airlines: Expressjet and Eagle. Expressjet has denied me an interview for the second time, and I was just rejected by Eagle. I understand that I did not meet Eagle's competitive criteria, that's just the nature of my flight time. I don't understand why Express will not even grant me an interview even though I meet and exceed their minimum requirements. I have call the airline and I have never received an answer that makes sense.

My flight time: 1017 hrs TT; 360 hrs ME; 340 hrs Turbine; 340 hrs SIC Part - 121 commuter.

Are these numbers truly competitive for a regional FO position?

I have applied a few other airlines, including Mesa, Air Wisconsin, ASA, to name a few - but no replies so far. Is there usually a time from when recruiters receive applications to when they respond?

I have several associates now in the airlines, who entered with much lower time than what I have.

It has been over 2 months since my last flight, and I am pulling out what hair I have left on my head. If anybody out there has any suggestions, please drop a line; I would appreciate it. Right now, I am just an FO without a job.

With this kind of flight time, why did you leave your last job? Could this be part of the concern a prospective employer might have?

Contacts
 

Contacts can make all the difference. You should insure that your friends are well liked where they work. If a friend is trying to recommend you and management is not to happy with that person then you might be doing yourself a disservice by asking for a referral.

SkyHigh

I flew for Gulfstream airlines under their first officer program which was 250 hrs. contracted - I actually got alot more time than I bargained for to the tune of 340 hrs. Once my time was completed (as per the contract) I began to seek employment with regional air carriers. This is where I run into this problem.

Some of those same people I knew at Gulfstream managed to get into other airlines with less time than what I have - I mean just right at the required minimums for ASA and Expressjet. As you read from my time, I actually have double the total time thay had when they left G-stream.

unemployed- why?
 

Are you working now as a CFI? If not, I'd do that, stay in the business.. Show the HR people you're comitted to the profession and don't have a problem doing the small jobs to continue to gain / improve yourself as a pilot / teacher...Why regionals? What about freight?

I'm not trying to ruffle feathers , if I did it was not my intention.

V/r,
LA

You can try Colgan...
 

If your not dead set on flyying a jet, try Colgan. I start class on Monday and have almost the exact quals you do: time, GS, ect.

I sent my information to Colgan via airlineapps.com and I havn't heard back from them.

I work for ASA, and I know they want you to have 600TT/100ME, with at least 100 hrs in the past 6 months. Everywhere I've ever applied always wanted X amount of time in the past 6 months or something of that nature.

I have sent my resume to them on several occasions, and I still have not received a call from them. I definitely have that 100 hrs in six month, but no callbacks. I have tried emails multiple times. Is there a better way to get in touch with them?
Thanks

Try Colgan...
 

Hey Bud,

Try Colgan Air. I met a guy who flew BE1900's for Gulfstream and he is flying them for Colgan now. He was hired about 2 or 3 months ago. One of my best friends is in his SIM session for the Saab for them. He said it is an AWESOME company to fly for. He is trying to get my to go there after I graduate in the Spring of 06. - We will see...

Now about ExpressJet. I don't understand why they won't hire you with your qualifications? I have been told that they DO take low time pilots so that they will be able to hang on to them as long as they can. You are still relativiely low time too. I also know of a guy that was hired recently with a little bit more time then you, with BE1900 time...and he is flying for them now. I wish I had a clear-cut answer for you.

But DEF. try Colgan. They are hiring like CRAZY right now! Good luck, and keep the blue side up!

DW

If you know someone there, That would be best....If the desired employer gets every application from everyone who applies, they are probably slammed with applications (or Electronic downloads). Our HR department is extremely understaffed and she actually does the work of 3 positions combined so unless your resume/App. sticks out, You may suffer.

Recommendations are still best but if your recommendation is from someone who the company sees as "Undesirable", this could make your career search more difficult...One of those aviation "catch 22's."
Good Luck,
PSACPSP

I'll give them another shot. Thanks.

I actually am in the process of completing my resume with PSA. I have a couple of associates there from my instructing days. i have heard from them that it is a wonderful airline to work for. I am actually going to mail my main application in on Monday. Thanks for the words of encouragement.

I'd suggest trying to land any sort of flying job at this point, CFI, Banner Tow, etc. With the all of the layoffs at Independence, and the upcoming ones at Comair, Mesaba, and Pinnacle, you'll be competing for a job with guys that have a lot of 121 experience. Flying in another position right now would get you up to the 1200 hours necessary for a 135 position if a 121 job doesn't come your way soon.

Scenic
 

www.scenic.com I know they will keep interviewing for the next few months.

I could not agree more, I just got on at XJT and they are interviewing a ton of people but are not hiring many of them, 25 in my group of which 4 got the job. THe market will be completely saturated by December 1 as 300 comair guys go on the street and probably the same at Pinnacle, get what you can now. XJT is going to stop hiring in Feb-March.

good luck

My suggestion is, FAX and e-mail it to them, like you've been doing. Wait til later that day or so, and then call down there and just tell them you wanted to check and see if they recieved it, blah blah blah. While you have them on the phone, ask a few questions that way. That's what I did. The lady that was in charge back in '02 was super nice and would answer questions for you. Not sure if she's still doing it now though. Do you have any references? They really like to see letters from people you've flown with, supervisors, etc.

It could just be that you don't have a resume that stands out from the rest of them. Remember, some airlines get hundreds of resumes a week. It takes time to sort through the pile.

Based on my personal experiences, most airlines rate their resumes based on a points basis. Have a particular number of points and you get interviewed. The company I used to work for required 10 points for an off the street candidate to be called, 13 points put you at the top off the list. IIRC:

1 point for ATP
1 point for college degree
1 point for advanced degree
1 point for 4 year aviation degree (ERAU, UND, Purdue, etc)
1 point for each 1000 hours TT (up to 3 points total)
1 point for each 200 hours ME (up to 3 points total)
1 point for turbine experience
1 point for part 135 experience
2 points for previous 121 experience
1 point for clean driving record
1 point for cover letter/resume impressiveness
up to 3 discretionary points for special awards and other factors that set your resume out.

It could also just be the formatting of your resume. Working in a recruiting department, you would be amazed with what we saw come in the door. I once got a resume on neon pink paper with a cover letter attached that had a graphic of a dog jumping through a hoop. Where do you think that application ended up? (I'll give you a hint... not in the interview pile, but it did end up tacked up on the wall of fame/shame for a while...)

If you're willing to share your resume, drop me an email/PM and I'd be happy to provide some tips for you. ~J

Really? I don't think so. I'll believe it when I see it.

Are you saying a Neon Pick resume doesn't stand out? Or should it do so in a good way? :)

It stands out alright... but perhaps not quite in the "professional" way that you want it to. :D

As a former airline recruiter I'd like to add my humble opinion...

Like so many have said here you need to stay in the game - get a job, any job flying, even if it seems like a step backwards to you. You need to be proactive and show the recruiters that you are willing to do whatever it takes to further your career and stay in the cockpit.

There seems to be something else in play here other than your hours. Instead of comparing yourself to your peers with regards to experience you should take some time and really be introspective. This is sometimes very difficult to do, but necessary to be successful in any interview. What is different about you? Do you have excessive speeding tickets? Criminal background? Multiple training failures? (By the way, I believe Express Jet will not consider you if you've got a previous 121 failure). How's your attitude? This is the toughest thing for people to evaluate as you may not think you are arrogant, but you could come across that way. Have you done a lot of job-hopping? My point here is to honestly evaluate yourself...not compare yourself to others with regard to just hours.

If you haven't already, start networking. This is so important. The founder of APC has written a great article on networking in the resources section, I'd recommend checking it out when you have some time.

I hope this helps a little.

Good Luck!

Try Midwest Connect. They might just consider you since you have BE1900 experience. Midwest flies Be1900's and DO328JETS out of based in MKE. Good Luck

Just go there and meet the people with your resume...
It does help sometimes!

Try an Air fair with an updated resume. Wear a good suit, smile, shake hands and BE POSITIVE.

If you just want to fly and don't care too much about pay and days off you could look at Great Lakes. I have also heard about a lot of freight haulers like Mountain Air Cargo that may look at a guy with your time.

Jog Hopping
 

Dear Lori Clark,

Job hopping is like the chicken and the egg. If you don't hop then you can't advance in most cases. If you can't advance then you can't get the time needed to get the big job. From one perspective it seems flaky and from another it seems resourceful and determined. What do you think?


SKyHigh

Pilotwithnoplane,

A few thoughts to help.

1. The truth about place like Gulfstream is starting to come out. Just because people are going there and getting a handfull of SIC1900 time doesn't mean your gonna be lined up for a job right after your done. The dilema is you finish with some turbine 121 time but you're still below mins for most companies. In your case you have over 1000 hrs which is good, but you still paid for that time.

2. Are you Current? Most regionals look for a certain amount of time in the last 6 months. Expressjet is big on Actual IFR time. Its only gonna get harder and harder to find a job as your wings get more dust on them. Do something, teach, fly freight, something to keep you current.

3. Be careful who you use to walk your resume in. If the company has problems with that person it'll make it harder then if you were going in cold.

4. Pay attension to application policies. If you have applyied too many times to the same company you can get your self thrown out. Sometimes it just takes forever for them to get around to calling you. Be patient.

5. Resume/Cover letter. I know this sound obvious, but make sure its short- no longer then a page and hits the key points without wordyness of grammer/spelling errors. Its the only thing that will represent you on the front end and it HAS TO STAND OUT.

6. Skeletons in the closet? Not saying you do, but DUI's, Criminal History, violations, bad diving record will make it tuff.

7. Analyize the situation. You say these other low timeers are getting hired. So what are they doing that you're not. Are you supplying refs that are revelent- don't have to all be in aviation. Customer Service refs are just as good. Are you dotting the I's and crossing the T's. It sounds like you're missing something somewhere. It's not that hard to get called for a commuter interview these days.


Just remember- this is a dismal time for aviation, SCabs, unions, low wages are just the tip of the iceburg. Stay foucused and stay tuff.
Keep plugging-you'll find something.

SkyHigh,

You're absolutely right, job hopping can be very tenuous and is extremely subjective by the person reading your resume.

In my opinion, job hopping isn't a red-flag until the person shows a trend of jumping jobs (three months here, four months there, six months there) or making lateral moves (ex; moving from one regional flying a jet to another regional flying a jet, with everything else the same).

Job jumping isn't always a negative if the person is improving themselves with each move. For example, jumping from a turbo-prop after six months to fly a turbojet. The key is to always challenge yourself to "go as far as you can" within that company - upgrade, bigger equipment, check airman...

Please don't get me wrong, I am not suggesting that changing jobs every few months is a positive. I don't recommend jumping jobs if at all possible, but sometimes it is a necessary evil. Especially if the job you hold is not as a pilot.

Does that make sense?

Job Hopping
 

Dear Lori Clark,

Many times the people conducting the interviews are not pilots and do not understand the dynamics of certain areas of the industry. I was in an interview once for a major airline and the interviewer couldn't understand why I wouldn't stay long at one of the air taxi's that I flew for. I didn't want to make her feel stupid but somehow I had to paint a picture of the risks of the job and poor living conditions in rural Alaska. Needless to say, she didn't get it and I didn't get the job. In addition many of the jobs I worked in my early years were seasonal in nature. Any pilot would understand the situation and would not think ill of it. Non-pilots might see it as flaky. It is a challenging career and hiring trends are like high fashion. Your in one day and out the next. I just followed a recipe for success that was laid down by my mentors in the late 80's. What do you do if you can't go back in time and change your past? How can new pilots predict what the next trend is going to be?

SkyHigh

Try PSA
 

You should apply with PSA. a US Airways sub. they pay you while training and hotel.:)

Sky,
The best piece of advice i can give you is that you need to keep flying no matter what. You have to show your employers that you are active in the industry, and making a positive effort. As for Eagle... since I work there, as of right now we are hiring about 40 FO's a month. The interview process is quite difficult and I allready have recommended 2 friends with similiar time and were denied by the review board. You can re-apply to american eagle in 6mos, and the recruiters really like to see that since it shows intrest in the company. I would suggest going to an AIR INC. conference, you will get to meet the recruiters first hand and be able to put a face with the resume. Sometimes certain companies will even interview at the conference. Just keep flying, and keep a positive attiude. GL!

BeaglePilot
 

BeaglePilot,

Thanks Man. Sadly however I think I am way past my prime. My chances are mostly gone. I can still hope !!!

SkyHigh