Originally Posted by N2Core

Noted, but if they shouldn't be flying passengers even at regional, they should be weeded out well before their chance to flow to mainline, or even upgrade at their respective regional.

Originally Posted by Wasatch Phantom

I think your question is reasonable, but as a 20+ year Delta pilot, perhaps difficult to answer without offending someone. I'll try, and apologize in advance, if someone takes offense.

Personally, I could care less whether someone applying for a job at Delta is an ALPA member or not. I'll even go a step further. Our current contract was negotiated in a hurry and there were a number of items that seemed to be thrown to the wayside. Many Delta pilots (and I'm in that group) were annoyed that DALPA spent any time negotiating for a percentage of new hires from ALPA represented carriers. I want the best people... period.

Years ago I interviewed at American and I remember during the interview a retired American pilot said "We're not hiring pilots, we're hiring Captains". I would say Delta has the same philosophy.

It's not all about stick and rudder skills, though that does (and should) factor in. Delta views its pilots as part of the brand. They want their pilots to "lead by example". They want them to follow the rules, but when it comes to customer service, they want people who take the initiative to do the right thing for the customer. That may mean going onto the ramp and getting a stroller or pushing a wheelchair, or any number of other things which are never spelled out. You must seize the moment and step up.

One of the things Delta has over the years done a really good job at is recruiting and hiring pilots. The vast, vast majority (well over 99%) are genuinely great people to fly with. They are very competent aviators, but they are great people as well. That's saying a lot, and to me it says their system works as it is.

Originally Posted by flyingreasemnky

The problem is that its extremely difficult to fire somebody once hired unless they do something like bend metal. Ever hear of a wrongful termination lawsuit? Also, upgrade at most regionals doesn't require an interview or anything other than seniority. Just because you can pass a pc and get a type doesn't mean you should be in the left seat (or right for that matter).

Originally Posted by swamp

So are you saying there will be no more preferential hiring from Women of aviation international, black pilots of America, or lucky pilots with BARE minimums whose mommy and daddy are in management, all of which I know for a fact Delta have hired in the past over more competitive applicants, (me) , and in all cases these folks have a combination TPIC time of (drumroll)=0.... Spare all of us the BS that Delta only hires the best.....I've been busting my a%$ for the past 16 years to get on with Delta and can't even get a call, but someone with 3 years in the industry and the right physical attributes gets on with minimum experience...

Originally Posted by johnso29

We have a retired Fed Ex pilot who was hired in 2010, & I believe he turns 65 next year.

Originally Posted by swamp

So are you saying there will be no more preferential hiring from Women of aviation international, black pilots of America, or lucky pilots with BARE minimums whose mommy and daddy are in management, all of which I know for a fact Delta have hired in the past over more competitive applicants, (me) , and in all cases these folks have a combination TPIC time of (drumroll)=0.... Spare all of us the BS that Delta only hires the best.....I've been busting my a%$ for the past 16 years to get on with Delta and can't even get a call, but someone with 3 years in the industry and the right physical attributes gets on with minimum experience...

Originally Posted by N2Core

Okay, I see your point. But I think we may be talking about 2 different things here. If a person isn't good enough to work for a major, then they shouldn't be working for a regional. Period. Perhaps the regionals should be more stringent in their hiring practices in that case. Bad pilots are going to make it through the cracks at both regionals and majors.

Originally Posted by 80ktsClamp

I'm trying not to come across too rude here, but if youve been there for 16 years, that means you've missed 3 major hiring cycles. There's something else going on in your history I would venture to guess...

Originally Posted by 80ktsClamp

If you work for Pinnacle, you know very much how the hiring process should barely even be called screening.

There are piles of loose cannons and crazies there that don't come anywhere close to being able to pass a major carrier's hiring process and are a complete pain to fly with.

Flying Delta pax is an unfortunate result of years of lack of scope awareness... that in itself in no way automatically means they deserve a job at mainline. Thankfully, that footprint is finally bring reduced with the new contract.

Originally Posted by swamp

And you'd be wrong.. Started flying 16 years ago only to fly for Delta. Been with pinnacle, well quite a bit longer than 3 years. Skeletons in my closet---- not even a speeding ticket... I'm a "legacy kid," aviation degree, TPIC coming out my rear, ect ect. I stand by my original post....