They want someone that is going to make a career there. The credentials you listed sound like someone that would go to the majors within a few years. Just a guess.

 

I'm simply pointing out that one datapoint does not a trend make.

Oh, and calling me out for making a jab after you just called out another member? Classy.

And you didn't answer my question.

 

Cliff and I have been going head-to-head on every pilot shortage thread at APC for years now, neither of us gives an inch, and as far as I am concerned he's a sincere guy who believes in what he is saying and sticks to the topic at hand, nevermind what his position is. Not so with TallFlyer. You have some beef with me and every thread here you come with another off-point jab at Cubdriver, and not much else until that singular mission is accomplished.

 

Hired is one thing, but the guy still has to pass training. Keep us posted...lol...

 

Thanks for (1) acknowledging my issue, and (2) speaking to the point. Any interviewing firm has the obvious right to choose whomever they want, that's fine, but it's how they reject the ones they reject I really am not impressed with and this goes for many firms. To go silent after a cold, canned no-thanks letter is sent to the applicant who just took days off work and really wanted to succeed is rude and has the effect of making them think they are unwanted and unappreciated. This practice is apparently a common thing in several industries among HR personnel, but that does not make it anything other than impersonal, rude, and entirely unnecessary. We also sometimes choose to reject companies after starting an application process, but to go dead on them is equally mean. I always say "thanks, but I have an issue with this specific thing or that, and because of that I would like to discontinue my application process. Thanks for your time, sir". What's wrong with that? It gives them useful feedback and treats them like a real person. As for regional airlines as an industry, I am done with applying to any of them until they raise pay to near mainline rates, and I realize that will never happen.

Originally Posted by Cubdriver
How do you know what the percentage is? And why would 140,000 ATPs currently listed in the FAA directory as being active pilots with FAA medicals, bother to keep an FAA medical if they work in China?

Point taken, and I think most/many are employed in the US and as pilots mostly doing something besides airlines. That does not mean they cannot be lured into airline jobs by higher pay and better quality of life if it ever happens there, which is my point- there is no shortage of possible ATPs to hire at the regionals, there is a pay shortage at the regionals needed to attract the many ATPs we know exist. Raise the starting pay to equal mainline pay and then see what happens to the alleged pilot shortage.

 

Really? Every thread where we've had an exchange, be it about Navajo Fuel systems and emergency procedures, 121 pax experience, or pilot shortages, my questions and "jabs," as you put it, have been consistent with the topic at hand.

I have no personal beef with you, and I have no doubt that you mean well, but your perspective is colored by your previous experience, which I'm pretty familiar with.

 

What do you suppose the credentials of a "career" Atlas pilot would look like?

 

In my experience (know a few people that recently got hired there). Someone that has no four year degree. Attends multiple career fairs specifically to see Atlas. Has very little to no turbine PIC. Is very knowledgeable about their operation. Has 2 internal recs. Wants nothing more than to work at Atlas. They all had that in common.

 

I am in the Air Force Reserves and at last weekends drill during commanders call our squadron commander announced that the Air Force was having difficulty filling pilot and navigator positions and that anyone who is under 30 years of age along with a college degree and is interested in becoming a pilot can submit a package for an active duty assignment.

He said that the recruiter that reached out to him requesting that he make the announcement to the members of our unit told him that in his 30 years of recruiting he has never known the Air Force to have such difficulty filling pilot positions and that this program was a very unique opportunity.

What that tells me is that those aspiring young aviators who for many years were enamored by the thrill of flying combat aircraft, an opportunity to serve there country and then eventually moving on to make aviation a career flying for an airline are no longer finding it appealing due to QOL issues and/or poor starting pay.

Just my opinion but this could have a ripple affect in the years to come and be a contributing factor to the increasing lack of qualified pilots. Anyway, I found this news interesting and thought I would share.

 

My times have changed, 25 yrs ago they were forcing guys into silos and saying navigators were no longer going to be needed. I wonder if the lack of pilots could also be because prospective pilots are afraid of being forced to become a drone operator instead. Ethan Hawke even did a movie about it!