2 Time Loser

[Big Slick]

I was trying to put this after Z Pilot's response, but it won't go down there. So, imagine this is posted below.

In a previous post, I talked about how getting an airline job is a crap shoot. Another way to say the same thing is that perhaps some higher power is in control of your fate. Whatever your religious or philosophical viewpoint, there is one thing for certain about being a pilot – much of what happens to us is out of our control. Our engine could blow up, lightning could strike our aircraft, we could interview several times and not get hired, we could get hired and be furloughed or we could work someplace for 25 years and lose our pension right before retirement. Most of your career is out of your hands.

I had a good friend who really wanted to work for SWA. He interviewed and got turned down. He was bummed out big time. A year later he got hired by Fed Ex. Today he lives in Memphis and has a great career and home life.

I got furloughed and was bummed big-time. I was a complete type A personality and was so focused on my job that I hadn’t spent much time on my marriage/family. After being furloughed, I was forced - for the first time in my life - to live in the now. To think about daily life instead of where I wanted to be in 5 years. For the first time, I realized how messed up my marriage was. Since I was at home for a change, we were able to work things out. It was tough. If I had not been furloughed, I would have been divorced.

My wife had lots of problems with pregnancy. Since I was around more I was able to go through the fertility process with her. As a result of lots of medication, temperature tests, etc. my son was born about 2 years after I was furloughed. If I had stayed in my airline career, he never would have come into my life. I’ll take my son over a pile of money any day.

What is my point? A lot of your life/career is out of your control. Sometimes you really want A, but B is better for you. Do your best to be prepared for success, but remember that your fate is, ultimately, out of your hands. I know this is a difficult concept for pilots, but something bigger than yourself is in control.

 

[Gorilla]

I interviewed with Delta before AA in 1991. Delta said "No thanks". It was a big letdown. Of course, it's never fun being told "adios buddy." No offense Delta guys, but the Delta interview in '91 was one of the weirdest experiences of my life. It was an impersonal cattle call. My conversation with who I believe to be the psychology dude was odd and stressful.

When I went to AA, they went out of their way to make us all feel comfortable. The interview with the retired Captains was great. Right off the bat:

"Have you interviewed with anyone else?"
"Yes. With Delta."
"How'd it go?"
"They turned me down."

Then they said something like "If we hire you, it sounds like you'd be a happy and productive employee..."

"You bet!"


We just shot the breeze and talked flying. Their function was to simply confirm, with some probing questions, that my whole resume wasn't some scam, and the all important "would we fly a 3-day trip with this guy?"

In the end, it worked out. I would have been furloughed from Delta in the '90's, I avoided furlough with AA, and living in DFW allowed my wife to land a killer job because there is a lot of defense industry here, and that's where her expertise lies.

As the guys have said, keep trying at SW but keep all your other options open too. If SWA doesn't happen, sometimes, your second or third choice ends up being a perfect fit for you. I would think that if the fact that this is your third or fourth interview comes up, it'll mean nothing more than "this is a tenacious and dedicated guy who REALLY wants to work for us." All positives IMO.

 

[Big Slick]

Dude, you can't put all of your eggs in one basket. Apply to everyone and when someone hires you, count your blessings.

I remember 6 years ago I was sitting with one of my students at his pilot training graduation. His Dad was a captain at Delta. He told me about how he was from the Northeast and that his dream had always been to fly for Eastern. He interviewed with Eastern back in the day and did not get hired. He was devastated. About a year later, he got hired by Delta. Although Delta was not his first choice, he took the job.

Six years ago, this was a great story. My student's father felt like the luckiest guy in the world. Of course if Delta goes out of business or liquidates its retirement fund, this story will have a different meaning.

Bottom Line: Apply to everyone and if you get hired, hope for the best. I know this is blasphemy on this forum, but even SWA could have problems someday. You never know. Its a big crap shoot.

 

[Z_Pilot]

I really needed to see these words. I too, have been shot down by two different airlines...you kind-of doubt yourself after a while after your confidence has been comprimised. I do, however, still hope that better opportunities that are worth the wait are on the horizon...

Z

One of my very favorite clients--absolute class act.

UPS--said no thanks....
JB--missed a great chance to grab this pilot
SWA--ditto

Then--last month--Alaska (original first choice) hired 'em! So--a long, crappy race but with a happy ending.

I've seen enough similar stories in the last 4 years to feel that although your own work and effort are critical, it is my firm belief that at times divine intervention is at work as we try to chart the course of our lives. Sometimes, these setbacks are extremely frustrating and painful. At the same time, I've seen more than a few "two time losers" end up somewhere that was actually a much better fit for their lives than their original plan. If SWA is your goal--then don't quit applying! At the same time, keep your options open and your eyes alert for other opportunities--who knows where you might end up!