Continental

[whatitdoing?]

What does it really mean to be placed on the "short" list? Several friends have said they were placed on this list, but I'm curious what it really means. Are they pretty much assured an interview? Do you go from 10,000 to 5000? Just curious.......

 

[talespin]

What does it really mean to be placed on the "short" list? Several friends have said they were placed on this list, but I'm curious what it really means. Are they pretty much assured an interview? Do you go from 10,000 to 5000? Just curious.......

Yes the short list simply means you know someone inside and that persons rec moves you up in the pile. My experience is if you know someone in the flight dept and you can back your app with the right stuff, you get put on the short list. Other words you still need the flight time etc... but you also need to fit the culture.

 

[flyer7rm]

got to have the the FOUR YEAR DEGREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Trust me on that one.

 

[bearcat]

Clarification

There are actually a few different pools. There is only 1 that matters. If you have an internal rec, you get placed into a selected pool. Then you have to be selected. Pilot recruitment can select you. A base chief pilot can also. That is the process. The way at which you are selected is the big variable. If you get a bud to go into the CPO several times to recommend you, the CP can select you for an interview. You then go into another pool and wait for an interview call.

 

[venr122]

I personally know more than one without a degree

 

[Ex737Driver]

I personally know more than one without a degree

Flow-through doesn't count.

 

[venr122]

he was express but not a flowbe

 

[kjokmo]

4 year degree should become mandatory in this industry. We complain that the pay sucks compared to other professional careers (doctors and lawyers) but we don't want to put in the school time. This is the problem in our industry, kids with the same education as the trash man flying jets around.

 

[Patriot328]

Last fall when I helped a buddy out, I took a peek at the "list" and he went from being in a pool over several thousand to being in a pool of less than 200.

It's not a first in, first out, though... took 4 months to get called for an interview.

 

[lookin4better]

Last fall when I helped a buddy out, I took a peek at the "list" and he went from being in a pool over several thousand to being in a pool of less than 200.

It's not a first in, first out, though... took 4 months to get called for an interview.

Sounds about right.....when I had a meeting with a manager I also got to see the amount in the list.....200 was pretty close at the time.

 

[The Regulator]

4 year degree should become mandatory in this industry. We complain that the pay sucks compared to other professional careers (doctors and lawyers) but we don't want to put in the school time. This is the problem in our industry, kids with the same education as the trash man flying jets around.

Very well said. The regional I used to be with was hiring 20 year old drop outs with maybe a year of college all the time. Made me sick. It seemed that almost half of the newhire pilots I flew with didn't have a four year degree. Most I talked to said they were going to finish their degree online but of course, many never ended up following through.

 

[SlapShot]

Not trying to hijack the thread but how long is the reserve call out at CAL?

 

[EMB170Pilot]

I thought it was because that person rode the short bus a lot

 

[CALnTX]

Not trying to hijack the thread but how long is the reserve call out at CAL?

a reserve 9 hours
b reserve 2 hours to showtime

 

[Ben Franklin]

not so much...

b reserve 2 hours to showtime

From the contract:


11. A “B” Reserve Pilot must be phone available during his specified phone
availability period and must be able to effectuate a block out (including
Deadhead) within three (3) hours from initial notification.

They can make you show whenever they want.

Sincerely,


B. Franklin

 

[SlapShot]

Can you bid either A or B reserve or do they move B people up to A as they begin to call individuals out?

 

[Smarta$$]

4 year degree should become mandatory in this industry. We complain that the pay sucks compared to other professional careers (doctors and lawyers) but we don't want to put in the school time. This is the problem in our industry, kids with the same education as the trash man flying jets around.

I disagree. I think you should have to be a highschool graduate and show self improvement but, most college degrees have absolutely nothing to do with flying an airplane. It is not the same as an engineer requiring an engineering degree. Or a psychologist requireing a degree in psychology. Or an education degree to be a teacher. Medical to be a doctor. The list goes on and on. Our industry just does not parallel any other.

A college degree does not make you a better pilot. If you had said that a four year degree in aviation safety would be required, you could at least make a safety arguement.

 

[FlyMeSWA]

Is there a chance that CO has to hire say a certain amount of guys that meet just the mins? I'm asking because if I push it this year I could meet the absolute mins as published. The saving grace for me would be the "or" exception to the 1000PIC, I'd fit into the 500PIC + 500SIC TurboJet. I have a 4 year degree and the only hard part would be I may be just shy of the 1000 total turbine. Anyway, my point in question is this, is it possible, with a LOR from a Sr. F/O, and someone in CO Mgmt at EWR, to get an interview/hire with the appropriate minimums ONLY? I'm hoping to maybe fit into the niche category of a young guy that meets the minimums. Been flying 135 if your wondering for more info.

 

[Palomino]

Is there a chance that CO has to hire say a certain amount of guys that meet just the mins? I'm asking because if I push it this year I could meet the absolute mins as published. The saving grace for me would be the "or" exception to the 1000PIC, I'd fit into the 500PIC + 500SIC TurboJet. I have a 4 year degree and the only hard part would be I may be just shy of the 1000 total turbine. Anyway, my point in question is this, is it possible, with a LOR from a Sr. F/O, and someone in CO Mgmt at EWR, to get an interview/hire with the appropriate minimums ONLY? I'm hoping to maybe fit into the niche category of a young guy that meets the minimums. Been flying 135 if your wondering for more info.

based on your screen name i would be hesitant to provide a letter of rec for fear that you'll take a 737 type and run.

 

[Palomino]

Can you bid either A or B reserve or do they move B people up to A as they begin to call individuals out?

it's a bidding process. 25% of the reserves are allocated to the A reserve. most people seem to bid B reserve. A reserves can be converted to B reserves if they are needed, but your pay stays the same. A reserves receive a guarantee of 72 hrs and B reserves 76 hrs.

that's how i understand it. A reserves are 9 hr callouts. B reserves get 3 hrs.

 

[livethedream]

ok, if I put my app online how long till I get a call? 4 month? even with LORs from a Capt and FO?

what about GUAM? if you go to Guam do you still sit reserve?

 

[Cardinal]

ok, if I put my app online how long till I get a call? 4 month? even with LORs from a Capt and FO?

what about GUAM? if you go to Guam do you still sit reserve?

Anywhere from a month to 1+1/2 years, even with LORs. Guam hasn't been offered to newhire classes much.

 

[Jonny Sacko]

I disagree. I think you should have to be a highschool graduate and show self improvement but, most college degrees have absolutely nothing to do with flying an airplane. It is not the same as an engineer requiring an engineering degree. Or a psychologist requireing a degree in psychology. Or an education degree to be a teacher. Medical to be a doctor. The list goes on and on. Our industry just does not parallel any other.

A college degree does not make you a better pilot. If you had said that a four year degree in aviation safety would be required, you could at least make a safety arguement.

I think you've stated almost every reason FOR a degree. I think the question being asked in an interview is "Are you a professional?" College degree shows you can at least study, and hopefully are a little more mature, since you've done the time and taken the necessary steps to pass. A professional has continued studies, along with continued testing, or continued education. I believe a degree will prove you are CAPABLE of being a professional, and will not fail the testing.
In no way does the opposite prevail, meaning that if you don't have a degree you're not a professional. But to sell yourself for a new career, I think a degree is a must.

 

[pkober]

it's a bidding process. 25% of the reserves are allocated to the A reserve. most people seem to bid B reserve. A reserves can be converted to B reserves if they are needed, but your pay stays the same. A reserves receive a guarantee of 72 hrs and B reserves 76 hrs.

that's how i understand it. A reserves are 9 hr callouts. B reserves get 3 hrs.

Here's my understanding.

They don't have to pay you after being converted from A to B until you exceed three days of conversion. Then it's 1 hr/day until you reach 76 hours. "A" reserve is a crap deal. Most people, like me, find out the hard way that A reserve sucks. What they do is convert you and then fly you so that they don't exceed three days. You basically become a "B" reserve without getting the 4 extra hours of pay.

Hopefully it will cahnge with new contract, 2008, to a senority based system.
This is my third major airline job and these are the worst reserve rules I've seen. The only good thing is the aggressive pick up window. It allows you to pick up the open time trips the day before your reserve block provided it matches your available day, ie 3 days of reserve you can pick up a 3 day trip.

Good Luck.

 

[Oh-ryan]

I think you've stated almost every reason FOR a degree. I think the question being asked in an interview is "Are you a professional?" College degree shows you can at least study, and hopefully are a little more mature, since you've done the time and taken the necessary steps to pass. A professional has continued studies, along with continued testing, or continued education. I believe a degree will prove you are CAPABLE of being a professional, and will not fail the testing.
In no way does the opposite prevail, meaning that if you don't have a degree you're not a professional. But to sell yourself for a new career, I think a degree is a must.

I think having a 4-year degree has very little to do with flying ability. I agree that it demostrates a degree of professionalism, but so does having 5000+ hours and numerous type ratings. All things being equal, give me the guy with the college degree, otherwise I will take the guy with no degree, 5000 hours and 4 types over the college grad with 2000 hours and 1 type.

 

[Jetjockey]

You can debate this subject until the cows come home. The fact is, it's virtually a must-have for CAL. It's a definite have for FedEx. It's what other competitive candiates have, that's what the airlines want, that's what the airlines get.

I did finish the 4 year degree after my first airline job. 3 furloughs later, I would not have wanted to try and find quality flying jobs in this highly competive field without having the degree. It has nothing to do with flying, it has everything to do with character and determination. In a tie-breaker deal, the winner is often the college grad.

 

[FlyMeSWA]

based on your screen name i would be hesitant to provide a letter of rec for fear that you'll take a 737 type and run.

Thanks for the uninformed, ignorant, and useless response. Any serious input would be appreciated, thanks.

 

[Palomino]

Thanks for the uninformed, ignorant, and useless response. Any serious input would be appreciated, thanks.

i was serious.

i am slightly ignorant, intentionally uninformed and mostly useless. but sometimes i'm serious.

 

[Junkflyer]

I"m slightly serious, intentionally ignorant, mostly uninformed, but sometimes I'm useless.

 

[Dumb Pilot]

You can debate this subject until the cows come home. The fact is, it's virtually a must-have for CAL. It's a definite have for FedEx. It's what other competitive candiates have, that's what the airlines want, that's what the airlines get.

As the demand for pilots increase in the next few years, this is a "box" you won't see in applications anymore. The US market will be the same as the rest of the world, where this is not a factor. I know that we all want to bring an aura of mystique and grandeur to our career, but after 25 years I haven't found anything intellectual about our job, this here is a technical job and to compare it to being a Doctor or a Lawyer, that are very specialized professions is a stretch to say the least. What the hell does my degree have to do with flying? Nothing. Now, It is Important for all that are flying to get a degree (Preferably in something not aviation related) So that you can support your family during periods of furlough.
Somebody said that they where sick to see people getting hired at majors without a degree. I don't think that you where sick because of that, since we all really know that a career where you don't need a degree in your "trade" doesn't really need a degree at all. You where sick because this folks where able to get grandfathered in and you had to do it the hard way.