U.S. Airways

Papoo said:
Legacy carriers want degrees - because it is much cheaper for them to slash numbers that way. I think that increasing the 'pass level' of these tests would produce a better caliber of successful applicant, rather than a degree.
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It's all about the numbers. When BA or Cathy hire, how many applicants do they have for each slot?

When Delta hired 300 last year, they had close to 10,000 applications. Using the criteria of having a degree, they cut that down, and then called in maybe a 1000 to interview, of which, each got an aptitude test. To give 10,000 the test to find 300 is ludicrus.
 
Papoo said:
Well that's great to see, regarding aptitude testing. I'm sorry for my 'pointless' post. I was merely voicing an opinion which differs from yours. We both agree that we need tighter requirements. My suggestion is to demand higher aptitude scores, because I think it is more relevant - it is determining the level at which one holds the required skill set. Legacy carriers want degrees - because it is much cheaper for them to slash numbers that way. I think that increasing the 'pass level' of these tests would produce a better caliber of successful applicant, rather than a degree.

Given this is, after all, a debate, I don't think my view is pointless, because I'm not suggesting that major carriers don't want degrees. It is merely an observation and opinion on the reasoning for it, and what I think is a better suggestion. Sadly, it requires more manpower and more cash to operate this way.

Ho hum.
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Hey man I wasn't saying your argument was pointless. I was merely pointing out that if someone wants to work for a US legacy a degree is a "requirement." Worrying or arguing about why they want is...pointless.
 
Cav said:
Worrying or arguing about why they want is...pointless.
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That's where we both definitely agree. Sorry, Cav, I wasn't trying to sound abrasive. We both agree on many things on this.

Cptnchia - No, it wouldn't be ludicrous. If one actually diligently reviews applications (rather than look for ticks in boxes), then numbers could be reduced, followed by testing. If the numbers of people passing the tests is too high, then that simply means the pass mark is too low.

Looking at Cathay (and BA), yes, there is huge competition for places. It's also clearly very difficult to gauge what they're looking for. One can only assume they are looking at many aspects, and taking it from there. Then aptitude testing them. The formula seems to work, however.
 
Boris Badenov said:
If you want to spend your life figuring out how to get where you think you want to be, go to a puppymill. If you want to spend your life reflecting on who you actually want to be, go to a real college.

There's a notion abroad (in the US, at least) that preparing every student for College is somehow a waste, or inappropriate. Now, of course, the truth is that we don't even nearly prepare the vast majority of kids for genuine Higher Learning, but I, myself, think that's a Bad Thing. There's an unspoken assumption when people say "yeah, but we NEED electricians, plumbers, etc". What they're not saying is "We need uneducated electricans, plumbers, parking attendants, etc". Now just why do you suppose that "we" would really NEED anyone to be ignorant? Here's a hint: It's not for the benefit of people who AREN'T the ones making the suppositions about how much anyone "needs" to know. Yeah, someone has to fix the lights and the plumbing, sure. But fixing lights, plumbing, or even parking cars is not in any way incompatible with learning about the vast swath of human history, and even, God Forbid, drawing some conclusions about it. NO MORE SERFS, EVER.
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College doesn't make you enlightened. I went to "traditional college" for 3 years before I switched to online school. Why? Because I couldn't afford to go to school while working less than full time, and at some point working at a flying job full time while going to school became impossible. I have plenty of credits (165 or so after this last semester) to include a wide array of subjects and topics. Never once through this did I attain an understanding of the world that a motivated human couldn't get with a library card and an internet connection. College is a cultural requirement in the west. Learning about "the world" or becoming "educated" are things that can easily be done without college, its just that you have no credentials to document self-education, and our society has a fetish for paper bordering on the Soviet-esque. Those who don't want to be informed or learn will go through college with plenty of Higher Education, but without learning a thing.

That said, I agree that everyone should have access to school if they so desire - for free.
 
Came across a Captain at PNCL, a CLT commuter, who just got an interview with US Airways next week. No internal recs, no connections. He said he was really surprised how quickly he got the call. From online application/submission to interview call was 2 weeks for him. And he mentioned a FO at Pinnacle who interviewed AND got hired at US Air with no TPIC time, no ATP, but internal recs.
 
Cherokee_Cruiser said:
Came across a Captain at PNCL, a CLT commuter, who just got an interview with US Airways next week. No internal recs, no connections. He said he was really surprised how quickly he got the call. From online application/submission to interview call was 2 weeks for him. And he mentioned a FO at Pinnacle who interviewed AND got hired at US Air with no TPIC time, no ATP, but internal recs.
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But do they have a degree??
 
I think it is highly unlikely that any of the legacy carriers will relax their emphasis on having a college degree anytime soon. I do know of a few who managed to get hired in the last few years without a degree but their applications came to the recruiters desk with very high horsepower contacts and multiple stellar recommendations. Incidentally, I have flown with one of those guys and he was outstanding in every aspect. I don't think a degree makes you a better pilot but it does make you more competitive, period. If US Airways would hire you without a degree, it may be a good move for you to consider employment there. My degree is from Oklahoma State so it's unlikely the recruiters gave me any college credit at all. :laff:

Regarding the "buy low sell high" philosophy, I remember when I was looking for an airline job, my top three choices were Pan Am, Eastern and TWA. For reasons still unknown to me, I went to work (not a scab) for a Texas airline whose history was less than appealing. As it turns out, that may have been a good move - we'll see in about 12 years.

There are many unknowns in this industry and luck and timing do play a role. I just think that when you look at today's pool of very qualified applicants you need to be thinking of ways to break out of the pack rather than focus on who will be willing to relax well established hiring criteria. Kudos to you though, networking and trying to establish contacts on the inside will serve you well.

I wish you well in your journey.
 
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