It's a hyper competitive hiring market right now, just doesn't get any simpler to explain than that.
Quote:
Originally Posted by KennHC130
I thought the interview went well until the Captain in the interview was walking me out and literally put his hand on my shoulder and said "You need to do some flying." I knew the answer right then and thought to myself--13 years flying M.E. Heavy Jets, mostly PIC/Instructor, White jets, 4,000+ hours, etc and 6 months off makes me unqualified to fly right seat from MIA to DFW!?!?! I was bewildered and pi$$ed, but the writing was on the wall. I got on with a regional almost immediately, and got hired by another Legacy within 6 months. Sorry for getting long winded, but back then during that hiring wave, YES, it made a difference. I wish you the best of luck and that it's different for you.
Just to expand on your points, I've heard that EXACT same thing from other mil guys. Even before 9/11 it was still competitive.
And when the candidates are compared/ranked/racked and stacked to their peers, IE mil compared mil, for a guy that was in your shoes, there was probably at least 5 other guys with the same/similar experience level that had taken their most recent flight the day/week before they interviewed and had the currency requirements.
Sucks, but that's the way it goes.