United Fee For Departure Open House
 

Anyone that attended this today have any information?

I think there must be a rule about FFD open house. 1st rule, don't talk about FFD open house!

I went to it. They said they would beat us with a stick if we spoke about it! :)

Seriously, great event. Introductions from a lot of people (UAL MEC, System CPs, Director of Hiring, check airman). They are hiring close to 1300 by the end of 2015, and that number may change to more or maybe less, but it's doubtful it'll be less. Interviews start this week or the next, expect EWR. They use an algorithm, so no real secret formula to getting a call. A few FOs spoke about working there for the first year.

We were given a time to speak to a recruiter. Waited in line for about 10 minutes in the hallway. Spoke with a very nice gentleman who went over my résumé, gave me recommendations for the online app and the résumé, spoke about just being yourself in the interview. Everyone seemed pleased with the way things turned out. They did state that they wished they had a more effective system to getting people in. 7300 people signed up, 600 were awarded based solely on sign up time. (300 ORD, 300 DEN). Other ALPA carriers are taking notice and working on the same thing.

I'm very happy to see a trend towards not penalizing people who end up at a regional with a long upgrade. They said over and over don't worry about turbine pic focus on total time. If recruitment at delta united etc stop caring about turbine pic but instead total time and career progression it will remove a lot of whipsawing from regionals.

Would you mind sharing the recommendations for the online app and resume for those that weren't so luck to get in?

-Update often
-Put volunteer work you were compensated for as a separate job. (Union work which were trip drops, things like that)
-Go through each section very carefully and make sure every box can be answered. (Don't leave any blank, like past salaries)
-Interview prep and sim prep only help you, UAL doesn't keep record of who did what. Do what feels comfortable for you.
-No formula for who gets called, except for their secret one which they never told us. Seems like they just weigh flight time, schooling, volunteer stuff......

How much total time? Did they specify?

UAL MEC Hosts United Open Houses

More than 300 pilots from ALPA carriers converged on the United MEC Conference Center on Wednesday and Thursday for the United MEC Pilot Open House. Morning and afternoon sessions on each day gave pilots currently flying for ALPA carriers the opportunity to sit down one-on-one with recruiters and personnel from United Airlines to learn what it takes to land a position on a United Airlines flight deck.


First Officer Bill Patterson
“The United MEC is committed to providing you the resources you need to get into a United pilot position,” said MEC chairman Capt. Jay Heppner in welcoming his fellow ALPA pilots. “We saw that our brothers and sisters at other ALPA carriers were having difficulties in breaking the aluminum ceiling to get jobs at the larger carriers. The common bond in this room is that we are ALPA pilots, and ALPA pilots take care of each other regardless of the airline you work for.”


First Officer Mark Segaloff
The concept for the United Open Houses was hatched when F/Os Bill Patterson and Mark Segaloff, two recent hires at United after flying for Air Wisconsin and Colgan, respectively, attended a recent ALPA Fee for Departure Committee meeting. They heard about some of the roadblocks many pilots at ALPA fee-for-departure carriers were experiencing when working toward their career progression. Patterson and Segaloff presented the open house concept to Capt. Heppner. He, along with the United MEC, gave the open house plan a strong endorsement.

“The United MEC has always advocated for ALPA pilots on the United property,” said Capt. Heppner. “I am very happy that our United management embraced the concept and have been so instrumental in assisting us with this open house.”

Another series of open houses will be held at the Denver Training Center on September 24 and 25.

Disregard, didn't read the full post.

8K total time and 5K PIC (Just PIC, not turbine PIC) seemed to be the magic numbers, but they still weigh other factors. He did say as time goes on it will continue to drop to meet supply.

Didn't seem like flight time was the total factor. Apparently they hired a guy with 2K total time, but he was an F-18 guy, military academy graduate....clearly qualified.

Yikes, thats alot of total time. If all three majors use this criteria that really hurts the "get in, upgrade quick, get out" crowd. If hired at 1500 TT you're still looking at >8 years at the regional you choose flying ~800 hours a year. Like they said, as time goes on that number is likely to drop, but for now thats quite a commitment to a regional airline.

Yeah...that's then way it it's. Time is not only a big factor, also your whole person. They do look at the times, but also other things. Like achievements, education and LOR from United Guys.

That LoR will help to boos your points, but still have to be a pretty much rounded up guy.

Yes it is, but keep in mind they have 12,000 applicants on file. Most are current regional FOs and CAs who have at least north of 4K, some with more than double that since not too many people have been hired during the 2007-2102 Age 65 ruling. They did say that they were feeling the effects from the Age 65 rule this year, and they will feel the brunt of it in a few more years.

In my opinion (just my personal one) - that 12,000 application number will drop to about 6-9K in about 24 months. Speaking with Delta and AA last week they both expect massive amounts of hiring coming up soon (Just over 3,000 combined in 18 months) with more on the way. This will reduce their 'competitive minimums' to get lower time guys and girls in.

Many moons ago, they hired 500TT pilots. Now you have to do community service.

This industry is a joke. Glad I have few years left.

I got hired on with a regional with low time and after 7 years with one furlough only have 4000 hrs TT. Seems I've still got a ways to go!

This is pure conjecture on PBSG's part...those numbers were never disclosed by any United people at the FFD open house. The algorithm is proprietary and would never be revealed publicly.

That's what they told me in my 1 by 1 interview yesterday. 8k/5k PiC is the average of people hired at United last year.

I did a M&G early this year. At that time, I was told the "average civilian RJ pilot" (wink wink) had north of 9k TT, in the 4k TPIC range.

Pre 9/11, the "average" regional guy (wink wink) was around 4kTT with about 1500TPIC as the "competitive" number, as well as usually 2 type ratings.

When comparing TT amongst a civ and mil pilot, it's an apples to bowling balls comparison. ESPECIALLY if it's single seat/tactical jet. And actually, 2K puts a guy that almost middle of the pack for that peer group. Doesn't matter if that 2k included the sortie conversion or not.

That was a looooooong time ago. And the 350 FW/PIC allowed them A LOT of flexibility in who they hired. It also gave them flexibility to help out in casting a wider net, especially as it related to the after effects of a lawsuit. And keep in mind, those "500TT" pilots made up a small number of ANY new hire class. Just like the 2500TT RJ FO does NOW. SURE, you'll hear about them getting hired. But for RIGHT HERE, and RIGHT NOW, it makes up a small quantity in any given OTS/new hire class.

See above on the numbers I was told, vs. what PBSG was told, etc. But probably not too far off the mark. AGAIN, those are an "average" (wink wink).

See above, everybody seems to hear different numbers, but not too far different.

Given these TT numbers, I wonder how many perspective pilots would still chase this job. If someone had told me it would take ~12 years to go from flight instructor > RJ pilot > legacy there is no way I would have started this career.

What were you sold, I mean told?

The "dark decade" has sucked for A LOT of people.

Honestly nothing, no one really told me what to expect. I didn't even know "regional airlines" existed until I had my private. I was just saying personally if I had known then what I know now, I wouldn't have done it. I'm curious as to how others feel, the only reason I asked in this thread was because of the TT being talked about and how depressing it is.

When I had just earned my single engine commercial, I felt like I was on my way until a flight instructor was bragging about passing his ATP and on the way to Mesa. At the time I felt like getting another 1250 hours was an eternity just to get to a regional. Of course this was back in 1994. Now I like the idea of them looking at only those with 9000TT/4000PIC.

Can United specifically pick who they want or are the strict on the points system. I just wonder if you give a good impression at the open house would that help you get past the total time part?

The Open house gives you more points. But it's not a golden ticket to get an interview.

Was Kit Darby there?

Took me 19 years from my first flying lesson until the day I walked on the property at my first major job. If you want it bad enough, you'll find a way. Goals shouldn't have an expiration date.

I'm not getting into this whole deal again, I'll just say my goal for a major airline did have an expiration date and it expired.

This may be a stupid question from someone that is not working in the Airlines, but what is a "Fee For Departure" open house? I have never heard this term before.

The UAL MEC ran a job fair only open to pilots who work for United Express ("Fee for Departure") carriers. Applicants were awarded tickets by lottery.

Guys, don't put a whole lot of weight into "average times" of guys hired last year. As one of 4 purely civilian, regional guys in my UAL new hire class I can say with certainty that only 1 of us had the total time and PIC times listed above. If you're going to the open houses and keeping the app updated then you're doing the right thing. Volunteer for something, that's huge. Be a well rounded person, not just a stick in the mud pilot. I honestly think they're looking for someone who's self motivated, has a good attitude and will assimilate well into the culture. Good luck!

It was open for all ALPA regionals. Not just United Express.

It was for all Alpa Carriers. It was not a lottery, it was by a first come first serve basis.

I saw people from Compass, Xjet, Commute Air, TranStates, Envoy and Endeavor.

Is there something special about a major job or is the job the same as the regionals just with more money?

More money, yes, but also a better contract, by far, with better work rules. Also the flying varies from plane to plane, and with a more varied fleet you can have more options for the types of schedules you want to fly (once you build some seniority and are able to bid to other equipment). This, along with the better work rules, makes it a very different job than the regionals, despite doing essentially the same work (flying passengers under 121).

Also, more money. Did I mention the money?

Gotcha, after almost six years in the regionals I left and I just can't stomach the thought of doing that job again. That's what I was wondering, should I even bother trying to fly for a major. I'm currently flying on-demand 135 and if this doesn't work out I'll most likely leave aviation. The last 10 years has sucked any passion I had for this job out of me.

Then please dont come to a major.

Fair enough.

Oh my gosh where do I start- btw I was at a regional for several years. First off retirement, you don't feel as fatigued anymore, you have nice hotels, you have a contract that is better in (almost) every single way, retirement, did I say retirement? Pay, layovers in cool cities, diversity of flying, better standing on the non-rev list, retirement, working for a company that owns its own destiny... The list could go on and on. I am flying places now that I never thought I would go. It is awesome and I hope my many regional friends will get to experience the same joy I have found from this job. Plus I don't have to be embarrassed anymore when someone asks me where I work with a drawn out explanation of what a delta connection or united express is

When you meet with the pilot recruiter, what do they ask? Will they take a resume?