I have been told (excluding "special cases") a four year was absolutely essential. That being said, I went out, last year, and did a four year degree! Check out Thomas Edison State College (tesc.edu) and talk to one of their admissions people. Between CLEP tests, all your ratings, and a whole lot of drive, you can complete a four year degree in less than a year, with an accredited college, for under 10k. I still haven't gotten the call myself, but am hoping things like that will show that I am driven to meet what ever requirements they set me, and thus separate me from the other 11000 hopefuls

That's awesome. Actually VP of flight ops, system chief and a few others, normally.

Funny guy, good luck with that!

The other 11,000 likely have degrees from real colleges.

I had a chance to talk to CV (director of hiring) the other day and I asked him what the average interviewee had timewise & recommendations. He said that there was all kind of ranges from 2500 hours to over 13,000 hours. He did say the "average" was about 7000-8000 hrs with a recommendation (internal recs worth more). He said he did read every recommendation, but that it didn't really matter who it was (he didn't look up his work history, if internal)

Here is some other tidbits he said:

-They expect FAR 117 to add about 10% to staffing
-You need to update your application at least every 180 days, or you will be flushed out of the active list
-The recommended amount to update your flight time on your application is once a month, but at least every 180 days
-You need to keep your first class medical current (doesn't differentiate for under or over 40) or you will be flushed out of active applications
-You need to have a FCC radio license or will be flushed out
-There is no notification to the applicant if you are flushed out of the active list, but when you clean up your app you will automatically go back into the active list
-There is a formula with points allocated for different items on the application for who actually gets the interview, so that is why the big range in flight time, it's only one part of it
-They are happy with the psychological test and the resulting applicants who pass (test developed for UAL specifically)
-Currently 10,500 apps on file with apps from US Air, Southwest and American pilots

That's it, I hope that helps anyone trying to get on. Good luck.

-You need to keep your first class medical current (doesn't differentiate for under or over 40) or you will be flushed out of active applications

Question: I interviewed with a 1st class that was 11 months old (I'm under 40). Nothing was said. I've held a 1st class medical for about the last 6 yrs. Being that I've already interviewed, and have a history of holding a first class IAW FAA, do you see this as a problem? If so, why would they call me in (and give me a seat on a rev flight)? Could it be as simple as a contingency based employment offer (ie. have a fresh 1st class when you check on)? The wait is killing me, especially with this 800# gorilla floating around.

Did your interview package not specifically state that your 1st class medical had to be dated within the last 6 months?

If the board is Friday, and if it's bad news (I hope not)you will get an email tomorrow afternoon---or get a call with the job offer-- the good news call could be Friday or Monday. I would say you are safe if no email by end of the day Friday.

Good luck on hearing some great news!

Just my opinion, but I think your good as long as you have already interviewed. Just make sure to keep it up to date, and if your worried about it do it now and update your app, but I don't think you need to. I know the wait is a killer. The last update I heard was that 77% passed the interview so your chances are good. Hang in there.

The top premise is false. If you are under forty, you are good for the whole 12 months. You are good to go.