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CAL? Time from making the short list until call?

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Mr Proachpoint

Active member
Joined
Nov 27, 2003
Posts
34
Well my sponsor at CAL tells me I am on "the list" and it is up to HR as to when I will be called for interview.

Anybody have an idea of the timeframe invloved? I believe I have been on the short list for 4-5 weeks already, but I am not certain of that.

Thanks for any help, just trying to plan a few things.
 
I have been on the list for 3 months.....some people MUCH longer.....HR has a way of doing it, I have no idea what they do but I am sure they have a plan. .....patience is a must :-)

However, anyone out there that knows firsthand how HR picks from 'the list' , would be greatly appreciated.
 
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thanks BOSS!
 
So guys am I close in my understanding of this process?

There seem to be several layers of pools.

One big one with everyone that has applied via airlineapps. 5000+
Another pool consisting of those with internal recs. 150-250ish
Then another pool that have had a chief review/approve and put in the 'call for interview pile' ???

Where does HR fit in here, if at all. Do they have much of a role prior to the interview?

I guess my main question is if a chief has already given his go ahead, can HR then sit on it for reasons only known to them? Or is the chiefs approval the last step before the call?

Thanks for the input already, appreciate any more from those with knowledge/experience. I am sure a lot of people are curious as to the inner workings of it all.
 
If you do not have a 4 year degree, you will not get called no matter how many LOR's you have.

I know of at least one person who did. Didn't get hired but that's another story.

On topic, app was in right at a year. 1 contact told me I was on the "short list" right about the time hiring slowed. Another told me the same about 4 weeks before I was called for an interview.
 
So guys am I close in my understanding of this process?

There seem to be several layers of pools.

One big one with everyone that has applied via airlineapps. 5000+

Last I heard it was around 10,000

Another pool consisting of those with internal recs. 150-250ish

There are about 300 in CoEx pile.

Then another pool that have had a chief review/approve and put in the 'call for interview pile' ???

The internal recommended apps, the C.P's look at and put into "Favorable" pile

Where does HR fit in here, if at all. Do they have much of a role prior to the interview?

From what I understand, HR looks through these piles for the most qualified, and puts in Call group, or leaves in current pile.

I guess my main question is if a chief has already given his go ahead, can HR then sit on it for reasons only known to them? Or is the chiefs approval the last step before the call?

HR will do the checks, maybe the background returns ugly, they will leave in pile.

Thanks for the input already, appreciate any more from those with knowledge/experience. I am sure a lot of people are curious as to the inner workings of it all.

Hope it helps, probably 80-90% correct. Hang in there.s
 
Thanks Sacko!
 
Just to get this straight.....

The guys saying 8 - 14 months, is this your timeframe for having your app in? Or the timeframe, from your sponsor, that you know you are on the short list of candidates?

If you guys are sure you are on the short list, maybe something else is going on? 14 months on the short list doesn't sound short to me! Considering the hundreds of people hired over that timeframe.
 
First off there are a few different pools. The first pool is just one at which you are qualified and there are thousands of people in it. The second is a recommended pool. Your buddy went in there and talked with the CP. The third is a selected pool. That means that someone from pilot recruitment or the CP has selected you for an interview. There are a lot of people in the rec pool that haven't been called. I have a friend in the rec and selected pools. The one in the selected pool I was told would be getting a call any day now. That was 2 weeks ago. My buddy in the rec pool has been in it since Feb. Hang on. Hiring 64 a month and another 400 in 2007
 
Hiring 64 a month and another 400 in 2007
That is until your state Senator votes Yay for S.65.

For those of you who have hopes of working at CAL in the near future, it would behoove you to voice some opposition to this rider to your congressman.
 
If you do not have a 4 year degree, you will not get called no matter how many LOR's you have. This is from a C.P.

G' Luck.

Apparently KD didn't get that memo. Makes it kind of hard to explain why my buddy is in class RIGHT NOW with an associates degree
 
Have your sponsor continue to bring up your name with the Chief Pilots. Like I had said I was told I was on the "Short List" approximately 6 months ago, I had my sponsor go into one of the Chief Pilots' office two Wednesdays ago and ask exactly where I was on the list, and got a call the next day. The squeeky wheel get the oil. From what I understand the more your name is brought up the more likely you are to get called. A one time visit by your sponsor might not be enough.
 
Once again I appreciate all the info.

I am patient and have no problem waiting, I enjoy my current job. I was also curious as to how all this works. You guys have cleared it up.

Thanks.
 
It depends on your recs. You absolutely need some internal recomendation. Those with pilot recs are on a recommended list, and you just wait until they get to you. For those with higher up recs, there really is no list. Just depends on how heavily weighted your recs are. People with the best recs don't wait very long. Good recs wait a little. OK recs wait a while. Average recs just wait until they get through with the Best the Good and the OK. What system of ranking recs am I talking about? Just my opinion, but it goes like this. Please correct me if this is wrong.

Best Recs=Smith Street
Excellent=CPs
Very Good=Check Airman Captains
Good=Line Captains
OK=A bunch of FOs (most of us XJTers having flown w/flowbacks for 3 years)
Average=One FO
Good Luck=None

The more recs the better, but the higher weighted recs mean a faster call. Simple as that. Know 15 FOs? Great. Maybe be in class next Spring. Larry's your next door neighbor, and you have backyard barbecues at each other's house? See you in class next week. Make more sense now? And there's all sorts of variations of the range/weight of recommendations.
 
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Anyone know how much it helps if you have an internal LOR from an non-flying member of management (Dir. of CS)? I also have LOR's from a line CA and FO.

BSlapped
 
Well, I don't really want to get into the whole 4 year argument...But I personally know 2 recent newhires without degrees, so take it for what it is worth.

Definitely apply.
 
My sponsor told me that his chief pilot would prefer 1000 PIC turbojet to put someone in the to be interviewed list. One of the 777 chiefs looked at my resume but it is not his call whether I get called for an interview. I'm just going to keep flying and remain positive. I'm at a great company right now and I will wait for CAL just like I waited for AWAC. Keep your chins up guys!
 
My sponsor told me that his chief pilot would prefer 1000 PIC turbojet to put someone in the to be interviewed list. One of the 777 chiefs looked at my resume but it is not his call whether I get called for an interview. I'm just going to keep flying and remain positive. I'm at a great company right now and I will wait for CAL just like I waited for AWAC. Keep your chins up guys!

No one knows the magic formula. Just apply and see what happens.
 

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