I stand corrected. Aside from the 80s, I don't know of anyone at CAL hired without internal recs. I still think anyone expecting to get an interview without internal recs is probably going to be waiting a long time considering how many qualified applicants with good recs there are.

Your probably right xhooker, but I just don't like it much. Just don't like to see what has been written here so much that friends of the management get first crack, followed by interns and so on. I don't think manangement recs should carry any more weight than a line pilot that actually does the day to day work.

I also don't like the idea that you need a recomendation to get in the door, but hey thats just me maybe I am the minority.

Lets give all the non-scab line pilots a single entry for a lottery-type drawing. They draw 50 employee numbers at a time and those pilots get to pick their buddy for an interview. If the candidate turns out to be a dud, that pilot who recommended him doesn't get to play anymore.

I don't doubt that at all. I hope that did not come off as challenging your judgement of character! But with that said, I know I can not be the only guy to notice your partner in the cockpit pull a 180 and become the ultimate pilot when he has a jump from his dream job sitting up front.

I've flown with plenty of pilots with no internal recommendations.
I've also recommended pilots who did not get hired.

The new "CAL/UAL" hiring may be different- NOBODY knows yet.

Don't get your panties in a wad over it. Get you app in and get any recs you can.

Good luck, hope to see you in EWR. ;)

I agree, but that's the way it is and our profession certainly isn't the only one.

I think there are positives and negatives to both sides. As a somewhat related aside, I know pilots at both carriers who wrote letters saying "don't hire so and so", only to have those very people get hired.

Thanks!

It's really all we can do.

See y'all at the job fairs.

EWR? I'd take it, but if they offer me Guam, I'M ALL IN!

That's one of the big drawbacks to requiring recs. If you're in a timeframe or location disconnected from a carriers last hiring wave, it's tough to find someone you know on the inside.

And that's what makes me sick about the process. Everyone's making a buck on pilots just trying to get a job. Sim prep, interview prep, etc., it certainly isn't the way it should be.

Which is true. A dozen years ago, a buddy of mine was asked in a Southwest interview if he was going to leave for American. However, I also know a couple of accomplished navy fighter pilots who did short stints at the regionals in the 90s. Good luck.