P-51D

I can name FOUR in the last 2 months. Not flame bait...FACT.

JetPipeOverht

I've seen more ' new ' guys fly the pants off the plane and deal with ' situations ' better than 20 year guys and that's a fact....there is NO correlation between years of service and quality years of service, it's all in how you treat your professionalism

ZapBrannigan

Good quote. In 2001 during the last downturn I was furloughed by a major and, for whatever reason, couldn't get hired by Southwest, AirTran, Vanguard, Eastwind... any of the places people were going.

So I interviewed at a couple of regionals and got the job. Why? Because unemployment wasn't enough. And because I needed to stay current while I worked to find something better -- or more accurately, sat out the downturn.

I didn't stay. It is emotionally demoralizing to be in newhire indoc with young folks who have a few hundred hours when you have 7000+ and a few type ratings. It is even more demoralizing when those people are in the left seat and talk down to you as if you were their apprentice. Some people deal with it better than others. I had a tough time with it. I did the job as best I could and left before upgrading at the regional.

Self worth is important. It's hard to feel worthy when everything you worked for in life is gone and you're starting over... again.

thrustsetrj200

I still can't figure out why it's so hard for "experienced" pilots to remember that it's NOT only time that gets them the job. It's what's on your resume, your cover letter...and if you get to the interview it's all about how you sell yourself and your attitude. It's about your past, your life experiences, past work experience, accomplishments, your attitude, your goals, and probably most importantly these days is your NON sense of entitlement...the list goes on and on. Your flight time is only one little determining factor that goes into whether you get the call or the job. We get so caught up in the numbers game that we forget reality. Yeah, sometimes very well qualified pilots get passed up and that's unfortunate. I wish everyone who applied and who fit the bill could get hired.

As for the low time guys (350TT more or less), there was ONE of those in my indoc class December 2007. I have no idea if they are still hiring really low time guys. If they do...then it's because they fit the bill and are qualified and will fit in with the pilot group.

Mason32

spoken very very well..... for a new guy

get back to us when you're not still wet behind the ears....

it isn't the stick and rudder people.... it's the ADM, not getting violated, and not busting a company/FAA Approved policy... and that comes over time, isn't taught in any schoolhouse, and is only learned in the school of life.

JetPipeOverht

how's 2000 hours at the regional level, still wet behind the ears for ya?

Lighteningspeed

People it really does not matter who gets hired with how many hours. If you got hired by Mesaba, just be happy you are now working for the only regional that is growing. That is a great news for you all.

If those 300 hour pilots got hired, they must have pleased the one who was interviewing them. It's as simple as that. I've seen some really experienced pilots with great personalities not get hired at both Majors and regionals like Mesaba or Skywest.

It's all about who is interviewing you that day and what direction the Director of Ops is leaning towards on that week. Mesaba did hire quite a few new pilots under 350 hours in 2007 and early 2008. I do not think this is a problem at all because all over the world and in the military, they have proved that relatively new pilots can indeed handle sophisticated aircraft.

It's all about how good and motivated your training department is. Mesaba, hands down, has the best training department I have ever seen mainly due to the quality of instructors at Mesaba. They seem to really want to help you succeed.

P-51D

Excellent quote and I absolutely agree. I just see so many people get caught into hours and I am simply letting those low pilot times be aware that if they have the experience-ATP, college, ect. and fit the package, they aren't out of the running.

B757CA

The past few replys are pretty good. Its not the number of hours you have. Sure that may help to open the door but lets face it a monkey can be taught to fly an ILS and run a checklist. Its judgement that is critical and its tough to evaluate in an hour interview. But thats what you have to sell yourself.

If you can fly an ILS to perfection and your judgement sucks you will be a terrible pilot.

If you can fly an OK ILS but exercise good judgement you will be a great pilot.

macflyer

"lucky"?
yah... Lucky! You're making me feel guilty, let me send back half my paycheck.

"Lucky"

P.S. Compass is done hiring.