I must admit I am a bit out of touch but I am curious about what is typically competitive to get hired at United?

Thanks in advance!

 

There is not a single answer, other than a 4-yr college degree.

UAL has hired pilots with a very wide range of flight hours and qualifications, with the caveat that those on the lower end of hours tend to have outstanding qualifications in other areas.

 

Not having been involved in denying a United pilot a jumpseat is a good start. Remember that if you end up at the Regionals.

 

Being in a position where you can deny a jumpseat is a better start.

 

Making weird threats unrelated to an OPs question is also a recommended strategy.

 

So competitive minimums besides a 4 years degree aside from jumpseat issues? I don’t work at a regional, but one of those lower cost carriers.

Thanks!

 

PIC time was what I alluded to. The more, the better. And maybe your lower cost carrier gets scooped up by a bigger airline. Finish a degree if you dont have one.

 

Curious minds would definitely like to know what is competitive. I have over 2,500 PIC 121 turbine with a roughly equal amount in large turboprops and jets.

 

I can't speak with any level of authority since I'm not in hiring but I can anecdotally say that a common theme from the non-military and non-CPP new hires is that most others had very strong backgrounds beyond flying. It wasn't about the hours and more about the course they have charted for themselves within their current work. Most that have come from LCCs or other major airlines also were either prior mil pilots or were regional LCAs. There were a few that had lower times but they had also done internships with United.

Bottom line - the more boxes you can check on the application the better. LCA, Chief Pilot, Director of Ops, Director of Safety etc. Basically - if you have taken the mindset that you are currently working for the company that you will be with for life and have "bought in" to making that the best organization it can be and taking definitive strides towards that effort...that's probably the min to get hired...unless you are a USAF C17 guy. I swear you can't swing a dead cat at the training center without hitting one of those.

 

I have heard through the grapevine that roughly between 5500-6500 hours (civilian) is the average flight time. Four year degree and having done other things outside of being a straight line pilot (i.e. Check Airman, Instructor, Union Work, etc.).