The Rules Have Changed
 

Background: I was an ERJ175 FO for just over 3 1/2 years, upgraded and only a few months after IOE interviewed with Spirit and received a CJO shortly after. I’m currently still in training at Spirit.

I’d like to give some insider knowledge to the current hiring environment. A few weeks ago I received an invite to do the assessment for a Delta, I’m now in the process of scheduling the interview.

While in training at Spirit I had a random conversation with one of my classmates who was also hired by Spirit after just finishing upgrade IOE at GoJet. He told me he recently updated his Apps to show his employment at Spirit, was then invited to start the interview process at both United and Delta. I decided to update my Apps as well to show my current employment. In less than 48 hours I received an invite to do the assessment with Delta.

My advice, apply to the LCC’s and leave ASAP. That move seems to be the “check mark” the Legacy Airlines are looking for. Not to mention with Delta currently metering their DCI CJO holders, I just may be in class before the DCI pilots who have already received a CJO at Delta.

That's kind of common sense isn't it? Why wouldn't you move on if you have the ability.

Because there is a belief turbine PIC is your fastest route to the big 4. It’s not true anymore, maybe it never was true? And it was a little known secret prior to Covid to jump ship early to a ULCC after you upgrade.

A lot of newly upgraded pilots don’t apply to the ULCC’s because they’re either semi complacent or believe PIC time carries the most weight on Airline App’s and figure they’re a year or two away from being picked off by their career destination carrier. Bottom line, they don’t apply to the ULCC’s, so they don’t have the ability to move on to a ULCC.

Congrats on the career progression. Great to see you rewarded for all that effort. Hard work!

Thanks for sharing your insight and congratulations on the opportunities ahead!

You don't see Delta connection pilots interviewing at Delta.
You don't see Amerian eagle pilots interviewing at AA.
You don't see United Express pilots interviewing at United.

Even if you are the exception you will get a delayed class date.

It's the path more people are taking, especially since the LCC will look at 2000 hr and less pilots. At least if/when things slow down not stuck at a regional.

Yup. The game has changed. Unless you want to hold out for FedEx/UPS, it's time to get to a ULCC or JetBlue.

And I seriously doubt it will be long at all until Brown and Purple no longer require this, just like even Delta dropped the degree requirement.

hopefully purple and brown drop degree requirement and keep PIC, but it’s either the degree requirement or the PIC requirement that will have to be relaxed at both…