"Silver Bullet"
 

Hi folks,

A few guys I know around the industry have received "silver bullets" from United Chief Pilots. What are silver bullets and do they help an applicant? Thank you

The process has changed but basically the CP at each base receives a VERY limited number of special recommendations per year that they may forward to pilot hiring. This represents a substantial reduction in the applications that CPs may formally recommend compared to a few years ago.

Yes, it really helps get an interview.

No, it does not guarantee an interview. Much less an offer.

"If you don't know who has the inside track for the job it's not you."

I had a friend do a CP meet and greet almost 2 years ago and no interview yet. Far from being a "Silver bullet".

Well maybe the CP just didn't like your friend that much.

It's all fine and good when a friend meets a CP, but I would assume that without a written recommendation from said CP, there would probably be no interview forthcoming.

I know a guy who did the CP M&G, got called for the Hogan right after, but did not get a job offer after the interview.

So, it apparently hugely helps you GET the interview, but does not help much once you're in the room.

When I did mine years ago, it was made VERY CLEAR that it's NOT a "silver bullet".

Nor is it an interview, a guaranty of an interview, or whatever else one can imagine.

Granted, that was a much different time compared to NOW. And they were required to make that VERY CLEAR at that time.

But make NO MISTAKE, it's NOT like the "silver bullet" system that AS, F9, or whomever else had at one time.

Well I guess the letter of rec the CP wrote must have been a clear sign it didn't go well. :rolleyes:

I've been trying for over a year to get a highly qualified friend on the m/g list. Definitely not the process it once was.

That and the fact we are barely hiring and it makes it both worth the effort to get one but also dang difficult to come by. Bad combination!

The CP can write a letter, but that doesn’t mean that one of their special recommendations have been used. It’s just like a letter that you or I could write.

If they are in fact using their special recommendation the process is transparent to the applicant.

I'm aware of that. The LAX CP made it clear to my friend that he would get the special recommendation.

Have there been any recent CP M&G's anyone know of? I received an email quite a while back stating I would be maintained on the list to receive a M&G.

Still waiting to hear.....

I've been on a CP meet and greet list for sometime now and waiting to hear about the invite. Anyone else out there on a list and heard anything about their M&G being scheduled?

Just because your name is on the CP list, doesn't mean you'll ever actually get a chance to meet he CP. Everyday new names are added to the list. Some may come in above you, and some below you. The ranking is based on many variables, including PIC, etc. The CP takes the top 10 or however many from the top of the list (those with the highest scores) and brings them in for a m&g. Some, all, or none of those, get the CP recommendation. The process continues throughout the year until the CP reaches his allotted quota for that year ( 25 I believe).

That's the simplistic version for how it works.

Good luck!

From what I understand the process varies from base to base.