Internal Recommendations
 

I'm sure that everyone here understands the value of and internal rec when seeking an interview. I'm new to the process of the regional airline job hunt and have a couple questions regarding internal recommendations. I am hoping for some help from those of you who are currently employed.

While I was in flight training in college and in the years since that I have been flight instructing I flat out did not network. Anyone who knows me would agree that I am a likable guy, social, and a good pilot, but for some reason I just didn't keep up with college friends, other instructors, co-workers, or even my own students who went on to regionals. I kick myself in the butt for it now. We all graduated during the 2007 boom. I decided to seek employment security as a CFI at a 141 school while others jumped to the regionals. A couple stayed flying, but most were furloughed, and in the end I lost contact with 90% of them. Now I am meeting minimums, my job has stagnated and I would like to move on to something new. Would it be considered taboo to seek an internal rec from those of you on this forum who have the ability? I am more than willing to PM/email/or even call on the phone to get to know some of you and talk about my history, qualifications, the company, etc. I've got my Airlineapps done, resume, passport, ATP test, FCC license, 1st class med, etc. I just need an edge to get that interview and make the jump soon. I'm at 1300+ TT and 88+ multi. I am a current CFII and building multi and total time every week. I'm specifically seeking internal recs at AE, Skywest, ASA/ExpressJet, GoJet, or anything really that has a chance to get ORD as a domicile as a new hire. I'm also a Saluki, and I know we have Salukis out there! If you think you can help shoot me a PM or reply here. Any little bit helps. Thanks.

Honestly, as soon as you hit 100 multi, you will have to beat them off with a stick. A friend of mine was having trouble getting called and just went and bought the mutli he needed to get 100. Within a couple of days, he had more interviews then he knew what to do with.

Thank you for the encouragement. Eagle humbled me this week by not offering an interview to me with a "no thanks" email. They claim to be in dire need of FOs, they lowered their minimums, and I am more than qualified according to their website. The only reason they turned me away had to be because of a 5 year old arrest I had for a driving infraction that I was never convicted of. It is not on my official state driving record or the National Driver Register. I disclosed it because I am sure they can find it on a background check and want to be honest. This is why I need a recommendation. To get past that. I take responsibility and learned from that mistake. I've had no troubles before or after that. They just see what's in black and white.:(

Commutair will take anyone, espacially unsavory characters such as yourself.

The unfortunate reality for 80% of us is that we do not work in the city that we would most prefer, if you allow yourself to be mobile more doors will open for you.

Hahaha..."unsavory". :rolleyes: I really hope that won't be a label I am branded with. I know you didn't mean harm though. Good choice of words! I am currently in a decent CFI job. So I'm not in a huge hurry. I'd like to rule out my 1st picks of companies that operate in ORD before I start looking at living farther away from family and friends or commuting. Base is my main priority at the moment. I'd love to get home to family in Chicago after so many years of being away.
However, I will heed your advice and be more flexible and mobile if I can't get one of my 1st choices. Thanks.

YW - also keep in mind that regionals open and close bases far more often than majors do. So you could very well end up getting hired into a ORD base and then 9 months later finding yourself displaced to JFK/ATL/DEN etc.. The regional shell game is brutal, but nobody's going to fault you for trying to maintain a better QOL.

The arrest thing might hurt ya with a few airlines but Great Lakes, Piedmont, CommuteAir will probably take ya. Get the 100 multi and you should see a turn around in interviews. Also, you might want to look into 135 cargo.

Why not try and reach out to some of your former students, co-workers, and alums via facebook, linkedin, etc? It wouldn't hurt to track them down, send an email and ask how things are going wherever they happen to be working.

Alright men, enough with the thanks but no thanks later because of your (arrest) is a big red flag, even if not convicted is a huge red flag and you need to find a regional that you could come home because you might have the same problem getting on with a major. Good luck and thanks for being upfront and honest, but no one is overqualified!!!

I implore you not to interview or work for GoJet. You will more than likely like the guys you fly with and will enjoy your job inside the flight deck but when you step outside almost everyone will know who you are and eye contact will be avoided the majority of the time. I have no beef with TSA or GoJet pilots and I understand their debacle. Call it BS if you will but the bad blood runs deep over their. I allow everyone in my Jump but IMO if you have other opportunities you should avoid them, just not worth the headaches.

I’m a SkyWest Captain; SkyWest puts a lot of stock in our internals so I only give them to friends and family. It’s nothing personal; everytime I submit an internal my reputation is on the line. If you can remember your friends full names and what airlines they work for most of us on these forums will be more than happy to assist you in reconnecting. If one works for SkyWest PM me their name and I’ll contact them for you.

Good luck.

All of your responses seem fair and I appreciate the advice given from different angles. JetJock, I was hesitant to mention GoJet. I understand the drama in that department and don't necessarily want to be a part of it. I also respect your personal policy on internals at Skywest. Maybe we can chat sometime and I can change your mind? I mean, we're all friends here, right?:D I would recommend me.:p
In the meantime I am going to try what JetFlyer mentioned and try to reach out via FaceBook to alums. Again, anyone taking the time to read this, I welcome comments and advice. If you have the ability to provide a recommendation and are willing to get to know me and provide a helping hand, then I would love to chat. Thanks all.

ddd333 -

I did not network for years though I still know many in the business. It is well known that someone might not hear from you in years, not even the Christmas card, but that when the time comes that you might come calling for an internal recommendation and if all was good in the past then there should not be a problem getting a recommendation from them. That is the way that the industry works. Jetjock is right though in that it is their reputation though so don't be discouraged right away if someone seems a little weary of providing such at a moment's notice.

One reason I joined APC was to start a network and to reach out to other professionals in the business and learn something about professional aviation. Through the years here I have been fortunate enough to make some contacts who were very helpful in gaining knowledge and insight into the different aspects of professional aviation. Some offered actual recommendations, others offered contacts for information, I made a few phone calls to members who were working in the area that I was interested in, etc....

You are going about it in the right way - but take it slow and give people a chance to learn who you are and what you are about. I mean you are trying to build a professional relationship right? It isn't much different! :eek:

USMCFLYR

Good advice USMCFLYR. Thank you.

Although internal recommendations help, Skywest is hiring guys without them. Just get your 100 Multi and show up to a open house.

If you're a saluki, shoot me a PM with your name. While I'm not an airline guy I know a bunch of saluki's at the regionals (and am one myself) that would probably be able to help. Best of luck getting that interview