I agree that ALL factors need to be looked at. Does it suck that someone might have sat right seat for 8-9 years and didn't get an upgrade due to company issues.. yes.
But lets look at the real world for a sec.

If you have 10 pilots who show up/apply for 2 jobs, where do you start your criteria and what do you put on the bottom?
PIC time? 121 PIC time? College degree? Veteran status? Training issues/busts? Criminal convictions? Numerous jobs? etc..

Something has got to be weighed heavily, while other items weighed less.

Again, I find it surprising that with the pool of qualified pilots out there, someone with 2 DUI's would be hired over someone without.

BTW- Should that 8-9 year FO at ExpressJet be hired over that 10-11 year Captain at ExpressJet?
Unfortunately, the world isn't fair. Just got to hope that your timing is good (or better than the other guy/gal) and that you have a little luck~ Too often, too many thinks are out of your control.

Always
Motch

PS) Will add that every NewHire I have met has been great. But it was surprising when I met a few of them who didn't upgrade at their Regional. Including one who told me that she didn't because of QoL.
Good luck to them all.. Good Luck to all those applying~

March/April is what they're saying now, any ideas on class dates?

Bus, if it helps I personally know a guy that was hired with 2 DUI's. He had his last one maybe 5-6 years or so ago. Not 100% sure about that time frame but it wasn't real recent before he was hired.

He is a very good guy that made some incredibly stupid decisions. He was able to finally get his act straight and show he learned his lessons and was able to support others who have substance abuse issues.

Regardless of what we feel about people's scared back grounds, clearly United felt he would be a good addition.

2017 classes listed:

1/10
1/24
2/7
2/21
3/7
3/21

*these were posted in October, subject to change and will probably be updated after the beginning of the year.

I heard they hired some dude who left his car idling in the employee parking lot over a 3 day trip, that's just crazy. ;)

good thing you started with a full tank !
-on the bright side, your battery got charged.

Ha!

:D :D :D

thanks for the note 4u...

I wasn't really trying to wade into the debate about the airline's hiring criteria..
i was just jumping into the forum about the one guy's post. i think ppl maybe read way more into his words than i saw there
that's all

cheers !

Irony:

When a Continental guy says: We should keep our hiring criteria very strict

and a United guy says: everyone makes mistakes, give the guy another shot

I hear ya! I'm not sure if this is same guy in question or not but figured the info I know might help shed more light on the discussion.

Cheers to you and enjoy the holidays!