Delta Disqualifiers

GypsyPilot

GypsyPilot

Mohawk Town
Hey folks,

Rumor has it that there are some interesting disqualifiers for the Delta hiring process...

The main one I've heard (that affects me) is the requirement to have graduated college in six years. In my case, I went to community college for two years, then transferred to a four year engineering school (a notoriously difficult one) and attended for four years, graduating with academic honors and a BS in mechanical engineering at 24 years old.

Would somebody in my case really be disqualified? I have a very good reason for my unusual path, and quite frankly I've always been proud of what I had to overcome (including paying for everything myself). Sure hoping this is bad info...
 
That seems like a weird disqualifier nowadays. I could understand if they were excluding people who were full-time students for over six years and didn't finish just because they kept getting incompletes or failing classes, but lots of people take a longer path to getting their degrees nowadays with distance learning or doing it part time while working in order to pay-as-they-go.
 
Word from one of the big two interview prep companies, is yes it is a automatic disqualifier under the current HR leadership. In the past it wouldn't be a big deal, but the current leadership seems to put a big value on it. I am in the same boat, between my dad dying, working full time and life getting in the way it took me a long time to finish my degree. Trust me no one is more unset about this than me.
 
so I went to a regular school for a year, transferred to the air force academy where everyone has to do 4 years....then did my masters in a little over 1.5 years.....so what do i put for years in school? aero crew said 6 combining my undergrad and masters...but is that question asking how long to get my bachelors? my bachelors + masters?
 
I have no clue.

In the past, I could get in contact with people that could dispel internet rumor, but I don't have the same access as of present.
 
Info from someone that sits on the hiring panel: this isn't entirely true. It depends on the type of degree you're getting. If it took you 6 years to get a 4 year, yes that's a problem. Even taking 5 years to get a 4-year will lower your score somewhat. Beyond a bachelors degree, they are just happy that you did post-grad education unless it looks fishy or took excessively long.
 
Dan208B said:
Beyond a bachelors degree, they are just happy that you did post-grad education unless it looks fishy or took excessively long.
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So it is better not to do it at all, rather than do it part time? Good grief. There are quite a few degree programs around here where getting a 4 year degree in 4 years is pretty much impossible, as some of the requirements are offered only every other year, and are a pre-req for another class offered every other year....
 
If that's true delta can suck me sideways. As a very poor family I had to work hard to afford every credit I earned. It took me a long time to get my degree. My two younger brothers now have there degree after much encouragment from me. It was a very proud day for me. And for delta to say my sacrifice wasn't good enough because I wasn't some trust fund baby like some of my aviaton peers is lame.
 
drunkenbeagle said:
So it is better not to do it at all, rather than do it part time? Good grief. There are quite a few degree programs around here where getting a 4 year degree in 4 years is pretty much impossible, as some of the requirements are offered only every other year, and are a pre-req for another class offered every other year....
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Unfortunately, that's the deal with the current hiring system. I think it will change a bit at some point but for now that's the system. I flew full-time while I worked on mine so it took me 5.5 years. I had a great opportunity to get some feedback on my application and was told that lowered my score enough to not be competitive for now. Like it or not, I'm glad to know that's the deal today. It's always frustrating to make the best decisions you know at the time and have the system end up weeding you out when you are finally otherwise qualified. I understand how frustrating this is for people but don't give up and apply everywhere you want to work. They all score this stuff differently.
 
jskibo said:
ISIS affiliation ok, or automatic disqualifier?
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OK, but only if you've logged time in some of these:
mig21.jpg
 
Dan208B said:
I understand how frustrating this is for people but don't give up and apply everywhere you want to work. They all score this stuff differently.
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That is the thing, for some of us working at Delta was the reason we started flying. Now do I wait it out, or try to get in AA,United, VA, jetBlue or a LCC and try not to be that guy that is unhappy about what he has vs what he wants.
 
GypsyPilot said:
Hey folks,

Rumor has it that there are some interesting disqualifiers for the Delta hiring process...

The main one I've heard (that affects me) is the requirement to have graduated college in six years. In my case, I went to community college for two years, then transferred to a four year engineering school (a notoriously difficult one) and attended for four years, graduating with academic honors and a BS in mechanical engineering at 24 years old.

Would somebody in my case really be disqualified? I have a very good reason for my unusual path, and quite frankly I've always been proud of what I had to overcome (including paying for everything myself). Sure hoping this is bad info...
Click to expand...

In your case it is not an automatic disqualification due to the difficulty of your degree and the fact you graduated with honors. Each Delta application that comes up for review is graded by an actual person, not a computer so there is common sense aspect to it. Easiest way to get your app reviewed is to have a current Delta pilot email Pilot Recruiting or attend job fair.
 
Trip7 said:
In your case it is not an automatic disqualification due to the difficulty of your degree and the fact you graduated with honors. Each Delta application that comes up for review is graded by an actual person, not a computer so there is common sense aspect to it. Easiest way to get your app reviewed is to have a current Delta pilot email Pilot Recruiting or attend job fair.
Click to expand...
Two pilots and a VP level person have emailed pilot recruiting and I have been to a job fair. I must really suck. I guess 20+ years of volunteer work, zero busted checkrides, 5K TT can't overcome my low GPA and it took me a long time to finish my degree.
 
Gonzo said:
That is the thing, for some of us working at Delta was the reason we started flying. Now do I wait it out, or try to get in AA,United, VA, jetBlue or a LCC and try not to be that guy that is unhappy about what he has vs what he wants.
Click to expand...

Just take the best job you can obtain, as soon as you can obtain it. Don't get caught up in name brands. I always wanted to work for Delta or Southwest for a variety of reasons, but you know what? It's probably never going to happen, so I've moved on, and I'm pretty happy where I'm at. There's nothing that can stop you from applying at Delta later should their qualifications change, apply everywhere, interview everywhere, make the decision that benefits your career the most when the opportunity presents itself.
 
Gonzo said:
Two pilots and a VP level person have emailed pilot recruiting and I have been to a job fair. I must really suck. I guess 20+ years of volunteer work, zero busted checkrides, 5K TT can't overcome my low GPA and it took me a long time to finish my degree.
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Unfortunately low GPA and long time to complete degree is a tough combo to have. That's very likely what's dropping your score down from the interview tier level
 
Gonzo said:
That is the thing, for some of us working at Delta was the reason we started flying. Now do I wait it out, or try to get in AA,United, VA, jetBlue or a LCC and try not to be that guy that is unhappy about what he has vs what he wants.
Click to expand...

I agree with what @Alchemy says. You simply can't do that to yourself or you'll be unhappy forever (and that's a choice). I think you should be applying at any carrier that you would be OK with and absolutely keep that Delta application in. But what happens if you wait and wait and wait and finally in 5 years Delta calls but you don't get hired? I also got into this industry with a specific carrier in mind but I learned it's critical to expand your horizons a bit or you may end up not happy.
 
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