Hey all. I’m 21 coming from a part 135 outfit and have my in person interview coming up September 6. I’m extremely excited to have been given this opportunity at such a young age. I’ve been told by recruiters and a chief pilot that you need to be 23. Although I secured a phone interview a few weeks ago and the recruiter was amazing. Very nice guy, but unsure if I’m hirable due to age. He called me back and gave me the in person interview. Should I be nervous about my age being a problem or am I in the clear since I got the in person? I’ve been studying aviation interviews and formulating my answers to questions in a notebook to practice. Any advice?

 

Im not aware of anyone getting on at Spirit with an R-ATP. Most likely you’ll need to be 23 but never say never. It’ll be great interview practice regardless. Goodluck!

 

Lots being hired with only a restricted.

 

Only ratp people I’ve heard of being hired are those who at the very least qualify for the full atp. Have heard of several people being given a cjo only to be told to reach out when they qualify.

 

Guess the LCAs that have confirmed this for me are confused then?

 

I didn’t say it wasn’t true just that I’ve only heard it happening in particular circumstances.

 

I have all the minimums met for full atp. I am just not old enough for unrestricted. I’m 21
1820TT with about 650 hours in a beechjet

 

take what I’m saying with a grain of salt. The recruiting department and policies have changed drastically over the last several months. Several people I know are no longer working on that department because they’ve changed practices from using line pilots.

having the hours vs being qualified are two different things. The hours aren’t what matters when they’re hiring street cfis that meet all the requirements. I’m sure you already know hours are only one aspect of being qualified for certificate. If you don’t qualify based on age and if their policy is you have to have or qualify for a full atp you wouldn’t qualify till you hit 23. Personally don’t know of anyone who got hired with an ratp. I know people who were turned away. Others simply short on some time, given a cjo told to let them know when they have the hours. Would hate for you to get your hopes up and go through the effort to not be eligible due to that one aspect. Idk how you could even find out. Doesn’t surprise me a recruiter doesn’t know but you should do your best to find someone to ask that does. A chief pilot or someone higher up in the recruiting department.

 

I was told by a chief I have to be 23. But how is it that I get all the way to the in person interview if I don’t qualify? Why would they spend the time, money to fly me down, and resources on me if they can’t hire me? Just my thoughts. Either way I’m still going to the interview and going to do my best to impress!

 

“But how is it that I get to the interview if I don’t qualify?”

Answer: Spirit.

This company is the very example of the left hand not communicating to the right hand. Definitely interview, at 21, the experience is important. But for those of us who work here, recruiting not knowing the age to be hired, wouldn’t surprise me. But again us hiring any warm blooded pilot who is 2 years removed from being a teenager, well, that doesn’t surprise me either.