Delta Disqualifiers
- Thread starter GypsyPilot
- Start date
wheelsup
Well-Known Member
I knew I wanted to be a pilot since about kindergarten ...
Most of us probably did.
I had a few career changer students that were so-so, by far the best were guy who always wanted to do it from a young age and steered their lives toward that goal.
GypsyPilot
Mohawk Town
Can I put down the fact that I started an 11 page JC thread in two days on my resume? That's gotta be one of my greatest accomplishments!
B767
Well-Known Member
Can I put down the fact that I started an 11 page JC thread in two days on my resume? That's gotta be one of my greatest accomplishments!
My phone says 12 pages. Keep that resume updated!
dasleben
That's just, like, your opinion, man
Right on. For a good long while, your shop was my dream job. Seems like a great place to work.
PeanuckleCRJ
Poodle Wrangler
It's funny the "butthurt" I've read on here... from Delta arrogance to whatever.
I deal directly with newhires a lot of the time... they do a absolutely fantastic job, and only 3 or 4 out of over 1000 noobs have been let go. (we also have a schoolhouse that will bend over almost beyond backwards to try to ensure your success) The data shows that they are doing it right most of the time.
The fact is that HR can be VERY choosy at this point in time with the wave just beginning. Things will change, and I'm intrigued as to how it does so in the coming next couple years. The interesting side part of it is they are getting a wider sample via the Pinnacle SSP and CPZ flow of more varied backgrounds that wouldn't have gotten an interview otherwise. They are very big on data at the Kremlin, and don't think that won't go into the factoring.
It ended up that I was the apparently exact profile back in 2007 that they seem to have isolated ... 5000 hours, 2000 jet PIC, and got my 4 year degree exactly on time with an ok but definitely not great GPA (with a variety of other interests, community service and accomplishments). By the end of the cycle in 07/08, they were hiring a good amount of FOs!
I know that the masters and higher degrees are highly valued! They love seeing continuing education and interest in the community.
With that said, once I got 1500 hours of jet captain time, my applications went to every high tier carrier that was taking applications. Whatever big dog called me, I was going to check out. FedEx was actually my primary target as I didn't think I had a chance at a DL interview due to almost no contacts and no clue as to what they were looking for. Go figure! Don't put all your eggs in one basket.
I deal directly with newhires a lot of the time... they do a absolutely fantastic job, and only 3 or 4 out of over 1000 noobs have been let go. (we also have a schoolhouse that will bend over almost beyond backwards to try to ensure your success) The data shows that they are doing it right most of the time.
The fact is that HR can be VERY choosy at this point in time with the wave just beginning. Things will change, and I'm intrigued as to how it does so in the coming next couple years. The interesting side part of it is they are getting a wider sample via the Pinnacle SSP and CPZ flow of more varied backgrounds that wouldn't have gotten an interview otherwise. They are very big on data at the Kremlin, and don't think that won't go into the factoring.
It ended up that I was the apparently exact profile back in 2007 that they seem to have isolated ... 5000 hours, 2000 jet PIC, and got my 4 year degree exactly on time with an ok but definitely not great GPA (with a variety of other interests, community service and accomplishments). By the end of the cycle in 07/08, they were hiring a good amount of FOs!
I know that the masters and higher degrees are highly valued! They love seeing continuing education and interest in the community.
With that said, once I got 1500 hours of jet captain time, my applications went to every high tier carrier that was taking applications. Whatever big dog called me, I was going to check out. FedEx was actually my primary target as I didn't think I had a chance at a DL interview due to almost no contacts and no clue as to what they were looking for. Go figure! Don't put all your eggs in one basket.
Cherokee_Cruiser
Bronteroc
PeanuckleCRJ said:
Back in the days one could actually upgrade at 3000 hrs. I got out of 9E with 4,000 hrs of SIC only and we both spent the exact same amount of time at 9E.
Timing. And luck. That's all it is. And some networking. But by far the two biggest factors are timing and luck.
PeanuckleCRJ
Poodle Wrangler
You also have to position yourself to be lucky. I got calls from 4 other top tier carriers, including FedEx, in the 2 months after I started at mother D.
Saying it is only timing and luck is ignorant at best and more just the material of those that make excuses. You had 4000 hours of SIC but also have the distinct ability to really tick people off while letting everyone on the internet know who you are. Might want to work on that.
Cherokee_Cruiser
Bronteroc
But that's the timing thing. 2002-2007 saw massive regional airline expansion and street upgrades and/or very quick upgrades. Guys were hitting left seat right at company mins. The rest is networking and applying. That was the 6-year timeframe.
My timeframe of 2007-2012 was filled with: Age 65, recession, legacy furloughs (a little bit), and regional stagnation.
Fedex, UPS, and Southwest could never be in my picture because of 0 TPIC. So when you say "position yourself to be lucky" then the only possible way was to have either a crystal ball for the future or a time machine to go back in time and start when the industry was in an upswing.
PeanuckleCRJ
Poodle Wrangler
Partly true, but you are just awful at your networking with other people. Even if they would have given you a chance, you burn bridges before they are even built!
Cherokee_Cruiser
Bronteroc
I never networked and only went to one job fair. As I said, timing and luck.
PeanuckleCRJ
Poodle Wrangler
And networking, not burning bridges, and making yourself a diverse, well qualified candidate.
But by all means, simplify it to give yourself excuses.
Cherokee_Cruiser
Bronteroc
And networking, not burning bridges, and making yourself a diverse, well qualified candidate.
But by all means, simplify it to give yourself excuses.
I think you're really reaching for the bridges comment. With the the exception of the 3 legacies, every opportunity I thought was attainable did happen in some way. Emirates called for the ATL one-day assessment but then had to defer once I filled out the form showing jet time was all less than 30 tons. jetBlue I never applied due to the honesty rule, their window was open and going to close mid-Sept of '11 and I wasn't scheduled to get my ATP until Sept 24/25-ish. I thought of applying anyway and just clicking yes I have an ATP and then if they asked about it I could tell them when I really got it. But I figured it was too risky. The only other two viable ones were NK and VX.
Why address just me, what are you going to say to the other 10,000+ pilots who weren't as fortunate as you? "diverse, well qualified" candidate? For a pilot our qualifications are fairly limited. Most of that is checking boxes. Does the applicant have 1,000 TPIC? If no, instant rejection for Fedex, UPS, and Southwest. Does the pilot have a 4-yr degree? If no, instant rejection for Fedex and Delta (exception of SSPs). Does the candidate have an internal rec? No, then throw it in the Tier 4 pile. etc. etc.
Above all, luck and timing rules and those are two things we don't have any control over. Networking is the only #1 we can control. Not timing, nor luck. That's just my opinion.
Tommay85
Well-Known Member
Meh, if I had my way, I wouldn't hire anyone that didn't have a diverse background. I'm stepping on a lot of toes with that statement, but whatever. I'm barely in such a position, so whatever.
Personal experience. Type/operartion/been to prison are absolutely irrelevant. As much as a like the Metro and the guys that fly it by themselves here. It's actually NOT a big deal and neither is anything else under the sun...
Personal experience. Type/operartion/been to prison are absolutely irrelevant. As much as a like the Metro and the guys that fly it by themselves here. It's actually NOT a big deal and neither is anything else under the sun...
Maximilian_Jenius
Super User
I think everyone here who knows me, knows that Delta is my favorite airline. EVER! Now having said that if my mind/heart were still in the game, I think that I'd probably be more looking at United as more for a fit with me, but that's just me. I really like their fleet planning idea, far better than Delta's. And they have a pretty good route system.They're in the process of having a real young, fleet, which is important. New factory fresh 737's and A320 series aircraft, and 787's 8, 9 and 10's and soon to be A350's. United is shopping at the new car lot while, Delta is shopping at the used car lot.
Yes, I know blah, blah, blah Delta is saving crap ton with that philosphy, so no need to even mention it.
Yes. United has some serious problems right now in the short term that they really need to fix, but I'm confident that people like @Seggy are working hard to fix the problems and make it a carrier to rival Delta. United can be a good place to be.
Yes, I know blah, blah, blah Delta is saving crap ton with that philosphy, so no need to even mention it.
Yes. United has some serious problems right now in the short term that they really need to fix, but I'm confident that people like @Seggy are working hard to fix the problems and make it a carrier to rival Delta. United can be a good place to be.
Mark815
Well-Known Member
And I don't get why this is such a big deal to people. I've had captains give me weird looks when I say that JetBlue is my number 1 choice, and that if I ever got the call to go there I'd throw away my resume and enjoy the rest of my career.
I think it is interesting that an employer's selection criteria, based on their own (apparently extensive) internal research, is poo-poo'd by so many people based purely on their own opinions.
If the company decides that they prefer left-handed red heads, I'm guessing that they have data that tells them that they will improve their overall hiring pool at a rate that exceeds the loss of good candidates who were excluded by doing so. Right-handed blondes (including yours truly) shouldn't take it personally.
89-LX
Well-Known Member
I guess I'm screwed for Delta Air Lines, the only place I want to move on to. Did community college from 2006-2007, then a university from 2007-2009. Finished my classes back at a community college in 2010, but still haven't graduated. Why do you ask? I can still defer my student loans by taking 1 credit hour every semester under old provisions in my promissory note. You may be asking, why would you want to continue to defer them for so many years? Well the first few years, I had no money. The last 2 years, I have some money. When they are deferred, my minimum payment per month is $0. Any payment I make, goes 100% toward principal. This has allowed me financially to pay down student loans much faster, which is allowing me to live a better life because 70% of my payment isn't going toward interest.
On the other hand, I do know that when I look at wanting to get on at Delta, I will have my degree applied for, and in hand. I know at this point in time, with no internal recs, no TPIC time, etc, that I don't have a chance at the moment. So why not free some of my financial burden, until I know I have a better chance there. But my time line is technically going to be about 10-11 years from start to "graduation". Guess working my butt off for that 3.84 GPA was for nothing.
On the other hand, I do know that when I look at wanting to get on at Delta, I will have my degree applied for, and in hand. I know at this point in time, with no internal recs, no TPIC time, etc, that I don't have a chance at the moment. So why not free some of my financial burden, until I know I have a better chance there. But my time line is technically going to be about 10-11 years from start to "graduation". Guess working my butt off for that 3.84 GPA was for nothing.
It's interesting to me how so many people have the need to tell their own stories. Defense mechanism? A generational need to talk about one's self?
Cptnchia
Dissatisfied Customer
Just an observation, but I've noticed guys going on about not having an internal recommendation. Well, what have you done to generate one? Do you know a Delta guy from school, church, sports? How about some guy in the Jumpseat?
Case in point. I commute on DCI quite a lot. One flight, after getting on, both CA and FO expressed a desire to go to Delta. However, during the flight, the FO, who was PF, totally withdrew to read a book, and didn't say one word more than necessary. His flying was actually very good.
After the flight, the CA asked if he could stay in touch and help him with his app. I was happy to oblige. The FO just grunted goodbye, even when I complimented him on his flying. Here, he had a Delta pilot, who could actually attest to his piloting skill, and he couldn't care less, other than to complain he had no internals at the beginning of the flight. Well, no crap! You gotta ask for them!
Case in point. I commute on DCI quite a lot. One flight, after getting on, both CA and FO expressed a desire to go to Delta. However, during the flight, the FO, who was PF, totally withdrew to read a book, and didn't say one word more than necessary. His flying was actually very good.
After the flight, the CA asked if he could stay in touch and help him with his app. I was happy to oblige. The FO just grunted goodbye, even when I complimented him on his flying. Here, he had a Delta pilot, who could actually attest to his piloting skill, and he couldn't care less, other than to complain he had no internals at the beginning of the flight. Well, no crap! You gotta ask for them!