Here is the primary goal of hiring. We recruit and retain quality individuals that possess a lot of skill sets. It isn't a perfect system and has some flaws but we are trying to really make it 99%. Yes, we want good pilots. We are not looking for the ace of the base but solid skills gained through several avenues of flying and not just one path. Bottom line...we really want individuals who have great personalities and will contribute to this company. People who will choose the right thing all the time. The Hogan screens for personality but there is still good people that can't get past it (remember statistics and deviations). The sim is there just to check a proficiency base line but really to see how you think and act under a little pressure. The interview is the place where you can shine and show the panel that the call to bring you in was the right call. Hiring rates are good and getting better. Does this mean good people don't get called to interview or bust the interview? You betcha. However, we are currently capturing great people and adding them to the ranks and that is a good thing.

We had 3 corporate pilots in my class, one was a CP. All left seat with internal recs. FWIW, I had 4 internals, one of whom was on good terms with his CP and walked my résumé in.

One of my corporate classmates has had 2 folks from their corp gig gets calls in the last month. Not sure of times quals, but CV did tell our class they are looking for a diverse mix of backgrounds. We had exactly 1/3 mil, corp and 121 in my class.

I would disagree with the poster above that said being all corporate would place you at the bottom [below 121 and Mil]. I was all corporate [actually charter, fractional, & contract] when I got hired (2007). I spoke with Mike Bowers a couple of months back and he said they love corporate pilots.

Don't be discouraged, just understand as others have stated that the selection is VERY selective at them moment but there are currently a pretty equal division between corporate/Mil/121.

Keep plugging at it.

all the best

Thx brotha... That's very encouraging.

I thought the meet and greet/shake and bake was done away with (beginning of summer) a while ago?

A very good source said that there are currently 11,000+ qualified applications on file. Adding at a rate of 1 new application per hour.

Maybe so, but I heard this somewhat recently. I think the old method guaranteed an applicant would enter the interview process if the chief pilot recommended. I think this power was taken away from the chief pilots. But, I suppose depending on the chief pilot, there is no rule against a pilot taking a candidate in to meet the chief pilot simply as a part of networking. The chief pilot can send an email saying he recommends the applicant be pulled from the stack to be considered (no guarantees).

Skyjunky, I've had my app in for over two years. 121 Check airman, 5 letters of rec and 8000+ TT. Phone is silent. Just keep updating your stuff, network and pray.

I believe this is correct. The new way is for a current pilot to set up a meet and greet with the chief, and based on that and the recommendation of the guy setting up the meeting, the chief will add a LOR to airlineapps. Don't know how much, but you'd think that his LOR would weigh pretty heavily with the scoring system they use to select applicants for the interview.