When to Interview?
 

Tried searching this, but couldn't find much. I am flying Part 135 right now and looking to go to the regionals soon. I'm in a training contract and an apartment lease until September, so I don't want to make the jump earlier than that but also don't want to stick around here any longer than I have to.

My question is how long did it take you from interviewing to getting in a class? Is it possible to interview and pick a class date closer to that time? (If they are offering classes then of course.) I have a couple interview offers and am wondering if I should wait and interview later or if that risky in case they stop hiring?

On a side note (according to your 'crystal ball') do you guys think hiring is going to keep going through the summer or will it slow down again in a couple months? Just looking for some advice on what to do. Thanks for your help.

Hiring will probably keep going. I would interview ASAP and let them know your available start date. Seniority means everything. You will regret waiting a few months. I would seriously consider breaking the training contract, depending on how much you would owe, to attend class sooner.

FWIW, I took the last interview date offered at XJT, if I would have taken the first date, I would have been a CA a year ago, I left but even if I was still there I wouldn't hold CA

What he said.

Interview ASAP. You will be given an opportunity to explain your availability situation at the interview.

I was called 3 days after my interview and offered a class 3 days after the call.

I would probably let them know before the interview if your availability is many months away. They'll probably expect someone attending an interview to available within a few weeks.

Generally on the application.

They will already know. It's not uncommon for folks to interview but not be available for 2-3 months down the road.

If they want you, they WILL work with you. Good candidates are becoming increasingly rare and works in your favor.

leases and training contracts
 

This is why both training agreements and apartment leases are hugely troublesome for upwardly-mobile pilots. It is super hard to juggle them effectively. When you interview at the next job you should be within a month of being able to jump on the class date offered. My own solution is to rent rooms by the month crashpad style, avoid leases, and use a camper if necessary. The training contracts are sort of like marriage, my solution is to save for the buyout as if it were concomitant with signing the training contract itself.

That's the point, make sure they know. If they still call you months out, great. It's better to be in the pool than not be in the pool.