They do hire without 121 time, but you're largely outgunned by the hordes of regional pilots making lateral moves. Every single regional pilot I know has made at least one lateral move. Most start out flying beehes or Saabs then fight for the E-170 positions.

Just be good at what you do and don't have a single logbook or paperwork error.

Everyone I interviewed with at RAH was prior 121 making a lateral move to try to fly better hardware. Everyone i know working there is the same. The only people i know who got turned away were those without 121 time.

In fact, they interview non-prior 121 differently.

I have one friend that was hired at republic recently without 121 time, but I have 2 friends that left an airline flying t-prop for RAH, and three others that made lateral moves to other regionals.

I wouldn't make a blanket statement that they won't hire without prior 121, because they are hiring a few. But I'd say it's a uphill battle in the interview for anyone without 121 experience, and they definitely don't seem to be dipping down to the sub-1500 hour pilots that qualify for restricted ATPs.

I think your experience and observation are very accurate, and I very much agree.

I would tempted to say anyone who says 'none of my friends are prior 121 and we all got jobs flying jets this month' is an industry plant, or something. I don't know. It seems people are feverishly spreading misinformation on this forum. This is a very public website. I wouldn't be surprised at all if there were posters here representing the crooked interests of the unions and airlines. (adjusts tin foil hat)

...why would...

Anyways from my own experience since... lets say the past 10 months (the time I've been with my company) I have had coworkers get class dates at Republic, Mesa, Piedmont, Commutair, Expressjet, and Air Wisconsin. We are not a 121 company and the only two guys who had previous 121 experience interviewed at Commutair and Piedmont. Away from my job I've had two friends who as flight instructors, in the past year get hired at Trans States. Basically, as it appears to me at least, it doesn't matter at this point for the most part where your time comes from, it just has to meet the minimums. Yes places like Compass and Skywest will have their pick of the litter but everyone else... dunno how they have that luxury. Update your airline apps stuff and you'll be surprised who will call you at this point.

That's about the stupidest reason I've ever heard for a lateral move. I don't understand why there are people out there who would give up seniority and pay to fly an E170. It's just another RJ.

I make more money flying a turboprop than their 170 pilots make. There's no way I'd ever give up the pay and seniority just so I could fly another RJ.

No one? I'm clean, graduated college and have an ATP. I had one interview that didn't result in a job and one offer without an interview that wasn't worth it. Other than that, I regret spending the time on airlineapps, because carriers haven't shown much interest. The competition, like I mentioned before, was astounding on my 121 interview. Actually, that was with a company that wasn't even on airlineapps.

Maybe you need a different colored tie.

Well I made the rounds in this area recently having interviewed with several regionals with similar findings to Mr. Johnny. Present shortage? Definitely not. Future shortage? Don't know. I did get the feeling the market is slowly warming up for the better.

HA! I get told I'm wrong all the time by people who aren't out interviewing, who don't see the masses turned away and actually believe every regional has "people not showing up for classes".