Pilot cadet program

Retired in SAN

Retired in SAN

Time to return to the saddle..
So, I know "this guy" who has an unrestricted ATP who would really like to fly for Skywest. "His" problem is he only has 800 hrs of fixed wing time. Everything else is met: TT,multi, ifr, etc. Because his fw time is too low I suggested "he" try and get into one of those Pilot Cadet programs that are participating with SKW and get the remaining time there. After speaking to one of the schools "he" was told that to be considered "he" would need to be enrolled in one of their programs" pvt,ifr,multi,cfi.atp, etc. which is perfectly acceptable. The problem is he already has all the ratings. Should he perhaps not tell them that he doesn't have one of the CFIs and just complete the program again hoping to get on teaching with them. They prefer to only hire their own instructors. Completly understand. So building extra needed hours to qualify has been a minor dilemma. And I don't want to tell "him" to just outright lie to the school about already have the ratings. Not the best way to start an airline career. Any practical suggestions are appreciated.

(in no way is the intention to wallow in any way. Just a little mentoring, thank you)
 
Why in the world would you spend more money to earn a rating you already have to fly for Skywest? Or any regional for that matter? Not only the money, but wouldn't this eventually get exposed - as in the need to "graduate" from one of these programs before getting on with Skywest?

Given the recent climate of hiring in the regionals, I don't foresee Skywest being able to keep screening applicants for not having all 1500 hrs of fixed wing time, with everything else being met. They are calling anyone and everyone that meets the mins (they, as in every regional out there). If I really, really, really wanted to work for Skywest, I would just find some FBO flight school or 135 outfit to work for until I got a call. If I was really worried about not getting my app past their filter, I would make the effort to find them at a job fair. They've been conducting interviews on site at these things, if I remember correctly.
 
ElihuSmails said:
but wouldn't this eventually get exposed - as in the need to "graduate" from one of these programs before getting on with Skywest?
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Don't know, how do those programs work?

ElihuSmails said:
They are calling anyone and everyone that meets the mins (they, as in every regional out there).
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They did call, and was told to have 1500 fw. Sorry, thought that was clear in my original post.

ElihuSmails said:
If I really, really, really wanted to work for Skywest, I would just find some FBO flight school or 135 outfit to work for until I got a call.
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Thanks, wish I had thought of that..

ElihuSmails said:
If I was really worried about not getting my app past their filter,
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Not as much worried as, just plain can't get past the filter.

ElihuSmails said:
I would make the effort to find them at a job fair. They've been conducting interviews on site at these things, if I remember correctly.
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Already have. They want 1500 hrs. fixed wing..
 
z987k said:
He has the fixed wing multi ATP right? Then he's qualified to sit right seat under 121. Skywest is being retarded.
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That's correct. Compass also called then declined an interview because "a lack of recent multi-engine time" First time I heard that one.
 
Retired in SAN said:
That's correct. Compass also called then declined an interview because "a lack of recent multi-engine time" First time I heard that one.
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I can understand that to an extent for the aircraft they fly. Engines on the wings certainly make some emergency procedure a bit of a pain. Especially with T-Props. Recent multi experience can help in the training.

Personally I don't think it is as big of a deal for a CRJ/EMB-145. The aerodynamics of a plane with engines on the tail are closer to single line thrust than not.

Tell your friend to try out cargo and get some more recent experience under his belt. Would definitely be better than spending money on redoing his ratings or possibly instructing.

There really would be nothing more foolish at this point than to spend money on redoing ratings for an interview at SkyWest. No regional is worth that. Hell, they aren't worth the current cost of admission.
 
The crux of the whole minimums thing is so vague that no one including HR seems to really know what the requirements are. And they change by the minute..
 
Retired in SAN said:
The crux of the whole minimums thing is so vague that no one including HR seems to really know what the requirements are. And they change by the minute..
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Here it is in black and white.
§121.436(b) - No certificate holder may use nor may any pilot act as second in command unless the pilot holds an airline transport pilot certificate and an appropriate aircraft type rating for the aircraft being flown. A second-in-command type rating obtained under §61.55 does not satisfy the requirements of this section.

Nothing about hours anywhere. The hour requirements for an ATP are listed in 61.159, but that is irrelevant since he already has his ATP.
 
z987k said:
Here it is in black and white.
§121.436(b) - No certificate holder may use nor may any pilot act as second in command unless the pilot holds an airline transport pilot certificate and an appropriate aircraft type rating for the aircraft being flown. A second-in-command type rating obtained under §61.55 does not satisfy the requirements of this section.

Nothing about hours anywhere. The hour requirements for an ATP are listed in 61.159, but that is irrelevant since he already has his ATP.
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Sounds simple enough. Now to get HR on board with it..
 
This guy sounds like he could easily get hired where I work, and quickly build up his fixed wing time while making a decent income.

I know a handful of guys who got Skywest interviews without going through a cadet program.
 
Yeah, I understood that Skywest is requiring 1500FW. I had 2 folks in my class at QX that were helo pilots with only 500hrs airplane time. And we fly a T-prop. I'll bet you Skywest will drop this min. The point I poorly attempted to make was the same as others echo above - your friend should get paid to fly somewhere else, wait for OO to wake up and realize they are missing out on good applicants.
 
KSCessnaDriver said:
I had this same problem nearly a year ago. Fixed wing ATP but low fixed wing time. Nobody in 121 wanted anything to do with me, so I went 135 and it seems to be a good call
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I believe you guys may be right. Not a lot to pick from here in San Diego but it's time to redirect toward the 135 operators. Hell, at this point I would take a local flight school to teach.

Thanks for the advice all.
 
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