What makes a pilot competitive?

FlyMarines09

FlyMarines09

Well-Known Member
Good morning,

I'm doing a little bit of research on pilot hiring requirements for regional, major and cargo airlines as well as Part 135 operators. Many of the hiring requirements are similar... So are the pay scales. So, besides the obvious, such as total time, turbine time and multi engine time, and perhaps a bachelors degree, what makes a pilot competitive while going through the application and interviewing stages? Does having a type rating before entering the airline help? Would having an A&P license with a few years of experience help at all? (IMO it makes for a more well rounded and even a safer pilot).

What about degrees? I know you can have a degree in anything, but are there particular degrees that airlines might favor? What about an aviation management degree? Is that a 'bs' degree or are they credible in the industry?

I'm just curious. I'm several years away from being hired by any airline or Part 135 operator, but anything that could benefit me in the future is always appreciated.

Thanks in advance!
 
To me, and I could be wrong, but I think personality and customer service are the most important for 91/135. Interacting with the passengers is as much a part of the job as flying, and when I was doing charters, I feel like I am personally responsible for multiple return customers because of our interactions, rather than getting them to their destination safe and on time.

For the airlines and dynamic aviation...Who knows
 
FlyMarines09 said:
Good morning,

I'm doing a little bit of research on pilot hiring requirements for regional, major and cargo airlines as well as Part 135 operators. Many of the hiring requirements are similar... So are the pay scales. So, besides the obvious, such as total time, turbine time and multi engine time, and perhaps a bachelors degree, what makes a pilot competitive while going through the application and interviewing stages?
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If you exceed the minimum requirements, interview well, have a few internal contacts and match the psychological profile of who they're looking for, you're unstoppable. Largely unquantifiable, but that's the key.


Does having a type rating before entering the airline help?
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IMHO, not without time in type and even if you did, it might help you get an interview but once you're in the lobby with the rest of the applicants waiting for your interview, any advantage is gone -- at least when we're talking the passenger airline business.

Would having an A&P license with a few years of experience help at all? (IMO it makes for a more well rounded and even a safer pilot).
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Doubtful. Now if you were applying to be a PFE, for sure.

What about degrees? I know you can have a degree in anything, but are there particular degrees that airlines might favor? What about an aviation management degree? Is that a 'bs' degree or are they credible in the industry?
Click to expand...

A BS/BA is a BS/BA. HOWEVER, and I'm sure I'm going to get the old boo/hiss, but i've heard this first hand a few times, the pedigree makes a difference. Some of the big names, at some companies help. Sometimes, depending on the attitude of your alma mater, it could hurt as well. I do know a guy who got an interview at a major Southeast-based airline that didn't quite meet the competitive minimums but was a graduate of a prestigious university in the Northeast and it made a difference with the screener.

Make your own success and that doesn't mean going to the 'right' places, it's all about the people you connect with, how you network, how PERSISTENT you are and how well you keep your head up and stay in the game when things get tough, but remaining humble when things are going well.

Everyone is watching. Trust me! :)
 
If you're a Marine aviator, then you'll be getting hired based on your USMC flying experience more than anything else.
 
FlyMarines09 said:
Good morning,

I'm doing a little bit of research on pilot hiring requirements for regional, major and cargo airlines as well as Part 135 operators. Many of the hiring requirements are similar... So are the pay scales. So, besides the obvious, such as total time, turbine time and multi engine time, and perhaps a bachelors degree, what makes a pilot competitive while going through the application and interviewing stages? Does having a type rating before entering the airline help? Would having an A&P license with a few years of experience help at all? (IMO it makes for a more well rounded and even a safer pilot).

What about degrees? I know you can have a degree in anything, but are there particular degrees that airlines might favor? What about an aviation management degree? Is that a 'bs' degree or are they credible in the industry?

I'm just curious. I'm several years away from being hired by any airline or Part 135 operator, but anything that could benefit me in the future is always appreciated.

Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...

An a&p is pretty much the best way to get into the corporate world after meeting the other mins (you have a much better chance of getting hired below mins as well) but keep in mind you will get probably get paid for one job while performing two. Some flight departments just want a pilot w/a&p just to manage the mx rather than perform any. It's also a great fall back and is what got me my first pilot job. It has kept me employed when others are out of work. Keep in mind that you really don't know anything as an a&p until you've been in the industry a couple of years.

There has never been any real proof that a degree from a big aviation school has ever helped over another degree. Keep in mind though that in an industry that connections determine whether you could get your dream job or not, you not going to find as good as a place to meet that many pilots. I've already helped people from college get jobs and I know plenty of other of people from wmu that have gotten jobs because of a college friend. If you go to an aviation college join the pilot groups like ahp and women in aviation.

There also is no doubt that being a CFI will help make you a better pilot. I never got one because I couldn't afford it so its not impossible to make it without one. I still want to get it but that will probably be several years down the road.

Plenty of small fbo trained pilots have made excellent networking connections by working as a line guy. The only thing I have to say is that this industry is extremely small so make as many friends as possible, make as few enemies as possible, and always leave a job on good terms.

Being on jc is an excellent start because its all about pilots helping pilots. Pilots always remember the person who helps them get a job. Just look at all the good will crjdriver has sown and now when he is need, other pilots go out of their way to help him.

Good luck.
 
A buddy of mine on the hiring board at southwest told me once: "He with the most checked boxes gets the job."

My A&P has helped me get interviews and probably a job or two but in my experience you're either a pilot or mechanic, not both.
 
Being competative for job x will change from time to time and it all depends on what they are getting for applications. If they start receiving a bunch of high time applicants with multiple ratings then that is competative. Basically, whatever the averge qualifications of the bulk of resumes are is what is competative.
 
It all depends on the company. The 135 operator I work for will hire 1200-1400 hour CFI's for the most part no matter how the economy is. That's the type of pilot we've had the best success with over the years, so it seems to be what we stick with. High time and experienced pilots are happy to get a job with us when the economy sucks but usually take off at the first possible opportunity whereas the less experienced pilots usually stick it out a lot longer and are much happier flying twin piston's and Metros.
 
esa17 said:
in my experience you're either a pilot or mechanic, not both.
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:yeahthat:

Though, I know a guy whose job is full-time corporate jet/king air/the boss's toys (Citabria, Stearman) maintenance, and right seating in the jets and king airs (they're probably all single-pilot, but he gets paid to sit right seat and yank gear anyway).
 
Hacker15e said:
If you're a Marine aviator, then you'll be getting hired based on your USMC flying experience more than anything else.
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Good point, and I concur. Not sure he is one, since he was asking about degrees, I am thinking he may be an USMC mech or enlisted aircrewman?

I think that a lot of people like to hire veterans as they are a somewhat known quantity in a disciplined environment. Not sure of your situation, but I would get a degree first or concurrently with ratings in a field that you have a passion-use that GI bill wisely.

One of the biggest thing in a 121 world, trite but true, can someone set next to you for a month and be an effective crewmember. You are asking some great questions so I betting you will have no probs. Goodluck.

Hey I see on your profile that you are an military A&P. When I was an Enlisted Mech they didn't have the FAA/Military program to facilitate getting the A and P. I think that is a very good program and you are on your way to building a well rounded aviation background.
 
MikeOH58 said:
To me, and I could be wrong, but I think personality and customer service are the most important for 91/135. Interacting with the passengers is as much a part of the job as flying, and when I was doing charters, I feel like I am personally responsible for multiple return customers because of our interactions, rather than getting them to their destination safe and on time.

For the airlines and dynamic aviation...Who knows
Click to expand...

I agree. Sure flight time is important, but the charter companies I've worked for were more interested in how well I fit with their culture and could I give great customer service to our customers. Flight time seemed more like a box to check - does the person have the flight time that our insurance company will not charge us two arms and two legs to insure?
 
mxflyer said:
A lot of luck and good networks, nowdays.
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I couldn't agree more. Networking really is the key to determining who gets the interview and who does not. We all know how to fly an airplane, but having the right contacts can be worth all the flight time and degrees in the world. In short, network, network, and network some more!
 
...nunchuku skills, bow hunting skills, computer hacking skills... recruiters only want pilotss who have great skills.
 
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