RTAP Hiring
 

Hello,

I was curious if any of you all have heard or seen pilots get hired with an R-ATP? Do you think that’s something the company would consider in the near future?

I’m specifically talking about mil pilots with 121 experience, but short of 1500. I’m a C-130 dude going to the regionals and I want to end up at WN. That’s all I’ve ever wanted. However, between training delays and how long it will take me to get to 1500 I’m looking at being eligible by late 2025 or 2026, sort of tough spot with all the hiring and being at the bottom for a long time.

Full disclosure: I’m not saying military pilots deserve to jump the line, I know of a few dudes in my squadron and are at the airlines that I wouldn’t even let drive my truck because I don’t think they can handle it.

Basically, since SW could hire at RTAP mins, do you think with the right combo of experience and networking that could be done before hitting 1500?

thanks

Do you mean R-ATP? Restricted ATP?

yes. RATP. Autocorrect got me twice. I’m an idiot. Carry on, please.

I have had my app in for 3 months with a RATP and was told by the pilot recruiters that my app was being overlooked solely because of it. Just resubmitted with the Unrestricted…fingers crossed.

They aren't hiring with R-ATP...yet. There has been a big shift at the training center and on the line with regard to adjusting to experience levels of new hires. Just a few years ago, they were hiring super experienced folks with a type rating in hand and giving them a really poorly executed, cheap, and truncated new hire training and then throwing them on the line to learn everything.
I heard directly from a standards check airman that they were told that we were going to hire with a R-ATP and standards put the brakes on it, at least temporarily. I would be very surprised if they do not lower the mins within the next 12 months, or at least when AQP is fully implemented. For right now, though, you have to have a full up ATP.

I have an Interview scheduled with a Restricted ATP, I’ll have the full ATP in 30 more hours. No idea if they will just laugh at me at the interview but they scheduled so I have no idea…

If they interview you, they want you.

Thats the world we live in now.

Thank the gods of aviation misfortune for overlooking you. Go forth and prosper.

I'd say the cheap part is mostly gone away, but training is still poorly executed and truncated to this day. Everyone in my class is complaining about it, especially military guys with ATPs and no 121 experience. This is my third airline and it is the most disconjointed training I've ever received.

But the people are great!

I’ll counter and say the training was great. Everyone had all the resources and help that was necessary and then some but that’s not cool to say on this website. The mil guys should be able to handle it considering there are seats in class warmed by someone who came from a 140 hp piston GA plane and they didn’t have problems.

If you want to get hired, you'll figure out how to get those hours. Instruct freelance through a local FBO, a flying club, or training academy. Fly for CAP. Pay for your own hours (I know I know). Do whatever it takes to get your 1500 hrs and full ATP.

There are 21 yr old pilots hustling to get 1500 hrs before the hiring boom ends and if you don't hustle too, you'll be the one sitting out the next hiring pause.