Applying to the "career destination" airlines
- Thread starter derg
- Start date
Inverted
mmmmmm wine
The way hours are inputed by make and model. I have 30 different aircraft in my logbook, it would be nice to list type rated aircraft, but other than that let me total hours from my logbook and type them in.
wheelsup
Well-Known Member
You used to have to pay each airline to apply. Back in the "good 'ol days".
Toobdrvr
Estrellas Asesino
While I would say that 2016 has seen a significant improvement in this area, I have found one big challenge/ frustration to be inconsistency of information regarding what helps/ hurts your status as an applicant. Example: I have heard, second (or third) hand that multiple job fair attendances help your chances at UA, while at the same time another (reliable) source says "One is all you need". AK recently clarified SJI's position as "No more than once a year" during an interview with Aero Crew Solutions, which I found very helpful. If all the "Career Destination" ailines would put out some official guidance regarding these issues (job fairs, internal recs, etc), I believe it would make the applicants' jobs much easier and reduce stress
Also, while I'm not sure if anything can be done about it, it would greatly reduce stress if one had a way of officially knowing his/her status as an applicant before being contacted for an interview. We've all heard stories of someone's app being tossed into the circular file for some egregious error, resulting in the applicant spending YEARS endlessly updating, networking, and pouring all of his/her energy into getting a call that will never come. For me personally, this is the current biggest stressor in my professional life.
These are in no way intended to be complaints, just attempts to answer your question...
Edit: Yes, I misspelled "professional". Fixed now...
Also, while I'm not sure if anything can be done about it, it would greatly reduce stress if one had a way of officially knowing his/her status as an applicant before being contacted for an interview. We've all heard stories of someone's app being tossed into the circular file for some egregious error, resulting in the applicant spending YEARS endlessly updating, networking, and pouring all of his/her energy into getting a call that will never come. For me personally, this is the current biggest stressor in my professional life.
These are in no way intended to be complaints, just attempts to answer your question...
Edit: Yes, I misspelled "professional". Fixed now...
Last edited:
Murdoughnut
Well sized member
They insist I have a commercial pilot's license.
Avgirl
Well-Known Member
I'll add my two cents as a bystander of this process with my BF, because it frustrates me just as much to see the pilot application process for these airlines. I agree with the inconsistency of information regarding what helps/hurts your status. Instead, it turns into this constant editing of resumes, what to include on them, the format, etc. What is really important? The spacing on a resume and the font, or the items within it? Could things be a little more transparent? I get there are a lot of applicants, but it creates a lot of unnecessary stress and wasted speculation as to why someone was hired and someone else wasn't. In addition, the online application systems can't seem to handle the demand at times. They open up an application on a specific date, you try to login to add everything, modify anything you uploaded before per their requirements, and you get timed out, or the system is down. So many of those same systems are so complicated to use in the first place, that it would be great to get confirmation that the actual file is complete from HR, instead of the automated message that you get regardless.
The job fair thing is really a hot button, too. They seem to be a focus in the industry, yet the recruiters should only be there if they are interested in hiring and providing useful feedback, instead of "keep doing what you are doing." Some refuse resumes, and just refer people to the website. Seems like a waste of time for those that traveled to those career fairs.
When I see that people are settling for positions they don't even want to give up the stress of the application process for career destination airlines, it bothers me just as much. There is a difference between not being qualified and not getting a job, and not getting one because the process is so screwed up. It is just as tiring for me to witness...and I really hope that I don't have to face the same frustration in the future.
The job fair thing is really a hot button, too. They seem to be a focus in the industry, yet the recruiters should only be there if they are interested in hiring and providing useful feedback, instead of "keep doing what you are doing." Some refuse resumes, and just refer people to the website. Seems like a waste of time for those that traveled to those career fairs.
When I see that people are settling for positions they don't even want to give up the stress of the application process for career destination airlines, it bothers me just as much. There is a difference between not being qualified and not getting a job, and not getting one because the process is so screwed up. It is just as tiring for me to witness...and I really hope that I don't have to face the same frustration in the future.
GypsyPilot
Mohawk Town
There is A LOT of misinformation floating around, and I really wish the HR departments would issue a FAQ. I have heard some absolute insane stuff, like "you have to log into your account every day!", "You can't have more than 8,000 hours!', "Your app must be 40 pages!", etc. It sure would be nice to have that stuff quashed from the start. Although I must say I think it's awesome that Delta is tackling some of this with their FB recruitment page.
It was mentioned in a post above, but I wish I knew if my application was viewed/received by the airline. There is zero feedback on this via Airline Apps other than it's "published", and the only way you really know is if you either get a "fix it" email from Delta or an interview invite.
It was mentioned in a post above, but I wish I knew if my application was viewed/received by the airline. There is zero feedback on this via Airline Apps other than it's "published", and the only way you really know is if you either get a "fix it" email from Delta or an interview invite.
B767
Well-Known Member
+1. Those are my frustrations.
Inverted
mmmmmm wine
This this this!!!!!
This is why prep companies like Kit and Cage are so important before you even get an interview, and it shouldn't be this way.
Things like putting the date of your ATP check ride in the date box when they ask for ATP written, why wouldn't you leave that blank if you have your ATP completed?! So many little things that don't follow common sense for a typical applicant.
Also, I'm all for posted minimums and competitive minimums, but having the process be more interactive, and better communication from companies would be great.
gotWXdagain
Polished Member
B767
Well-Known Member
Well if that's the case, tell them B767 from JC has an app in. They'll know what it means...
Seriously though, if there was just some function to KNOW that your app was looked at. Doesn't even have to be a "we looked, you need to fix this, this, and this" as that would get daunting for them to do for EVERY applicant. But just something to know it has been looked at. And try to nip all the hearsay in the bud.
The page that @GypsyPilot is referring to is: https://www.facebook.com/deltapilotrecruiting/
I hear it's staffed by a handful of recruiters and the manager of pilot development so when you ask a question, you're getting "the" answer or at least they can have an official answer for you within the day.
ian
Well-Known Member
One problem I have with the Facebook page and the application itself is conflicting information is going out....some guys might get hosed based on the question being asked and the answer recruiting is looking for...someone asked about an air force q2 check ride which by definition is not a failure...it is a passing check ride. Anyways here is the post below (names changed):
"I posted a question on here last month asking if you should answer "yes" to a failed checkride for an Air Force Q-2 on your Apps and got about a 50/50 response of yes/no. While this is obviously specific to them, I asked the SJI Pilot Recruiting folks on their FB page and they said "Yes". I had already done that for my Apps with all companies in the spirit of full disclosure, but here is the direct response from SJI Pilot Recruiting in case anyone is interested, I hope this helps anyone who may have had the same question...
"Hi xxx, We received an answer for you.
All military Q2 checkrides should be listed in the addendum section in response to the question regarding checkride or phase check failures. Although a Q2 grade does not denote a failed checkride necessarily, it does reflect an error or omission that was observed by the examiner which may require further training and/or checking. Whether military or civilian, ALL phase checks, stage checks, progress checks, proficiency checks of any type and FAA certificate or rating checkrides should be reported if they were failed or assigned a grade indicating that there was an error or omission during the evaluation. Answering YES to this question will provide the candidate the opportunity to explain the pertinent facts and mitigate the impact. We realize that virtually all pilots have failed some type of checkride during their many years of flying and, in most cases, it will not negatively impact the candidate’s standing in our evaluation.
Hope that helps!"
"I posted a question on here last month asking if you should answer "yes" to a failed checkride for an Air Force Q-2 on your Apps and got about a 50/50 response of yes/no. While this is obviously specific to them, I asked the SJI Pilot Recruiting folks on their FB page and they said "Yes". I had already done that for my Apps with all companies in the spirit of full disclosure, but here is the direct response from SJI Pilot Recruiting in case anyone is interested, I hope this helps anyone who may have had the same question...
"Hi xxx, We received an answer for you.
All military Q2 checkrides should be listed in the addendum section in response to the question regarding checkride or phase check failures. Although a Q2 grade does not denote a failed checkride necessarily, it does reflect an error or omission that was observed by the examiner which may require further training and/or checking. Whether military or civilian, ALL phase checks, stage checks, progress checks, proficiency checks of any type and FAA certificate or rating checkrides should be reported if they were failed or assigned a grade indicating that there was an error or omission during the evaluation. Answering YES to this question will provide the candidate the opportunity to explain the pertinent facts and mitigate the impact. We realize that virtually all pilots have failed some type of checkride during their many years of flying and, in most cases, it will not negatively impact the candidate’s standing in our evaluation.
Hope that helps!"
I think the key is not to "outthink" the question and just answer.
Like if you fail an 141 stage check, it doesn't mean you've been issued an FAA pink slip, but it's an opportunity to talk about it. It's not that you've fallen, it's an opportunity to speak about how you got up.
Don't overthink it. So many people think "OMG, I'm flawed!" and spiral into self loathing whereas the evaluator is really looking for something qualitative to talk to you about because, at the end of the day, we're both complete strangers, right?
exneophyte
Well-Known Member
Cake...yes or no?
ian
Well-Known Member
My answer was answer no because it wasn't a fail...but the guidance seems to contradict that. Ive also been hearing guys are failing hr for not listing upt check ride failures which aren't real air force check rides either. Obviously it's not for sure that but they have said that in the hr portion the panel wasn't happy with their explanations of why they weren't listed.I think the key is not to "outthink" the question and just answer.
Like if you fail an 141 stage check, it doesn't mean you've been issued an FAA pink slip, but it's an opportunity to talk about it. It's not that you've fallen, it's an opportunity to speak about how you got up.
Don't overthink it. So many people think "OMG, I'm flawed!" and spiral into self loathing whereas the evaluator is really looking for something qualitative to talk to you about because, at the end of the day, we're both complete strangers, right?