Think It's Hard To Get Hired By SWA? Try Virgin Galactic!

[Hacker15e]

If you think it's tough for your resume to stack up at "flavors of the week" carriers like SWA and FEDEX (cue the 'Space Shuttle time' jokes), try Virgin Galactic, where even Shuttle time isn't good enough.

After combing through a long list of astronauts, fighter pilots, and space geeks, British billionaire Richard Branson named a new astronaut pilot to join his start-up space venture that aims to lift paying passengers into space.

Branson's company Virgin Galactic announced Wednesday that former U.S. Air Force test pilot Keith Colmer will join chief pilot David Mackay to begin flight training and testing of the company's revolutionary aircraft, WhiteKnightTwo and SpaceShipTwo.

Colmer was selected from more than 500 applicants, which included about 10 current and former astronauts...

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-1027-spaceship-pilot-20111027,0,3248060.story

 

[I_Money]

Re: Think It's Hard To Get Hired By SWA? Try Virgin Galacti

Seems like he trumps Mackay to me - though might be appealing to some, sounds like an endeavor I would rather watch from the ground. Most of what Burt does would scare me, I did fly a Long EZ once though.

 

[thevideographer]

Re: Think It's Hard To Get Hired By SWA? Try Virgin Galacti

A while ago they posted the job requirements, which included test pilot school. He is going to be instructing though. Maybe the requirements for regular pilots will be lower.

I still plan on applying.

 

[KSCessnaDriver]

Re: Think It's Hard To Get Hired By SWA? Try Virgin Galacti

There are 3x as many astronauts as airship pilots. Just saying. :bandit::bandit:

 

[rframe]

Re: Think It's Hard To Get Hired By SWA? Try Virgin Galacti

I wonder if the FAA will add 'rocket powered' soon to the list of aircraft requiring a type rating?

 

[I_Money]

Re: Think It's Hard To Get Hired By SWA? Try Virgin Galacti

There are 3x as many astronauts as airship pilots. Just saying. :bandit::bandit:

LOL -

 

[Whatusername]

Re: Think It's Hard To Get Hired By SWA? Try Virgin Galacti

A while ago they posted the job requirements, which included test pilot school. He is going to be instructing though. Maybe the requirements for regular pilots will be lower.

True but I can still see VG wanting former shuttle commanders/pilots or test pilots though.

 

[Murdoughnut]

Re: Think It's Hard To Get Hired By SWA? Try Virgin Galacti

Must have done ATPs rocket transition program.

 

[CTFlyer]

Re: Think It's Hard To Get Hired By SWA? Try Virgin Galacti

"flavors of the week" carriers like SWA and FEDEX"

What is a "flavor of the week" carrier? Care to explain?

 

[nmineau]

Re: Think It's Hard To Get Hired By SWA? Try Virgin Galacti

Must have done ATPs rocket transition program.

LAMO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:rotfl:

wonder what the cost on that is? 5mil? 10?

 

[MikeD]

Re: Think It's Hard To Get Hired By SWA? Try Virgin Galacti

"flavors of the week" carriers like SWA and FEDEX"

What is a "flavor of the week" carrier? Care to explain?

The carrier's that everyone raves about applying to, working for, etc. They change week to week, with the two above ones being the most common flavors.

 

[Hacker15e]

Re: Think It's Hard To Get Hired By SWA? Try Virgin Galacti

"flavors of the week" carriers like SWA and FEDEX"

What is a "flavor of the week" carrier? Care to explain?

As Daff said, it's the companies that everyone wants to work for today. SWA and FedEx weren't the pretty girls at the dance 10 years ago, and they probably won't be them 10 years from now, either.

Pan Am, Braniff, Eastern, etc, were the flavors of the week back in the day.

 

[C150J]

Re: Think It's Hard To Get Hired By SWA? Try Virgin Galacti

I wonder if the FAA will add 'rocket powered' soon to the list of aircraft requiring a type rating?

It's going to share a type with the 777.


(Does anyone understand this tongue-in-cheek, or should I relegate myself to A.net?)

 

[WacoFan]

Re: Think It's Hard To Get Hired By SWA? Try Virgin Galacti

I wonder if they will have assigned seating or if it will be open seating like SWA?

 

[thevideographer]

Re: Think It's Hard To Get Hired By SWA? Try Virgin Galacti

Assigned. I wonder if passengers will wear space suits, or sweatpants and wife beaters, like SWA.

 

[MikeD]

Re: Think It's Hard To Get Hired By SWA? Try Virgin Galacti

Do you have to be in CASS to jumpseat?

 

[Jed1087]

Re: Think It's Hard To Get Hired By SWA? Try Virgin Galacti

I hear (insert aviation university here) is getting a flow-through agreement with Virgin Galactic

 

[boondr]

Re: Think It's Hard To Get Hired By SWA? Try Virgin Galacti

Grannies, Gays, Grandes and Galactic

 

[pullup]

Grannies, Gays, Grandes and Galactic

Bears...beets....Battlestar Galactica.

 

[at1024]

Re: Think It's Hard To Get Hired By SWA? Try Virgin Galacti

Must have done ATPs rocket transition program.

I bet they might even let you work for minimum wage if you do it on your own dime