Continential Airlines question...

[XSWANN@240]

Hello,

I was just wondering. Once you completed the online application, how long did it take to receive an invitation for an interview?

thanks

 

[(o) (o)]

depends on who you know.

I have friends who do not know a single person over there are still waiting.

Some of my other friends with connections all got called within a few weeks after applying.

It's sad that an airline recruitment department runs that way, but what the hell, it's their airline.

 

[Steve]

depends on who you know.

I have friends who do not know a single person over there are still waiting.

Some of my other friends with connections all got called within a few weeks after applying.

It's sad that an airline recruitment department runs that way, but what the hell, it's their airline.

Who do/did you fly the A-340 for?

 

[8v8tr]

I right now have two internal recs and have not heard a thing. My app. has been in since late May. Maybe it is because I worked at COEX for a number of years and left. Who know's but good luck...

 

[propjob27]

It's sad that an airline recruitment department runs that way, but what the hell, it's their airline.

Like FedEX, UPS, and Southwest run theirs any differently? You probably aren't going to get a call from ANY major US airline in this climate w/o at having at least one internal rec. (JetBlue being an exception)

 

[(o) (o)]

Like FedEX, UPS, and Southwest run theirs any differently? You probably aren't going to get a call from ANY major US airline in this climate w/o at having at least one internal rec. (JetBlue being an exception)

You're probably right.

But that's not necessarily the best way to recruit people, wouldn't you agree?

There are lots of good prospects out there who unfortunately don't know anyone. And the airlines are missing out by eliminating them without even giving them a chance.

 

[FurloughedTwice]

There are lots of good prospects out there who unfortunately don't know anyone. And the airlines are missing out by eliminating them without even giving them a chance.

You are probably right but most of the airlines hire on personality. If you are qualified for the interview then you are (usually) qualified to fly an airplane safely which means there are thousands of applicants to choose from. It is so important to hire the right personality for the position. We have all finished a trip at some point in our career and said, "Man, I hope I never have to fly with that guy again". That's what they are trying to avoid. I think CAL (and the rest of the industry) is relying on recommendations so heavily because it's a known quantity. Anyone can fake it during an interview and CAL doesn't want to be stuck with someone for the next 25 years if they don't have too. It seems to be working because everyone I have met at CAL has been great! No egos!!!

I hope you get a call
Good Luck.

 

[bb9000cde]

Hello-
I have been at CAL since June, I was in the 3rd off the street new hire class. I had 1 recommendation, and got a call 10 days after applying. It really is luck, but the internal recommendation from a chief pilot or any management who can endorse an application is the way to get in CAL. I guess they had 13000 apps within the first 15 days it was online. I was from 2 regional's and a 135 cargo job. Good luck getting in. It's everything I thought it would be, great people who are not negative, great airplanes and great routes. ( I like the great tonight) They are supposed to hire 60 a month until late summer now. Lots of people retiring with the gat rate down right now. Hope this helps-
BB9000CDE

 

[CAL EWR B737]

depends on who you know.

I have friends who do not know a single person over there are still waiting.

Some of my other friends with connections all got called within a few weeks after applying.

It's sad that an airline recruitment department runs that way, but what the hell, it's their airline.

The reason they take internal recommendations so seriously is simple. Most of the applicants and most pilots for that matter could be trained to do the job safely. However they are looking for more than the ability to do the job safely. It's has been CAL's previous experience that internal recommendations from good solid pilots/employee's have worked very well. I have heard the quote from the EWR chief pilot several times "the apple doesn't fall far from the tree". Like I said in other threads recommendations from the wrong CAL pilots (from the 5% who constantly get into trouble and are always on the edge literally) is the kiss of death even if the applicant doesn't fit that criteria.

Unlike another airline that uses employment contracts. When you work for an airline represented by a collective bargaining agent covered by a collective bargaining agreement (union and contract) once off probation it is difficult to get rid of unwanted employees, and even some they do let go eventually get their job back through the grievance process. The company must have "just cause" to fire a pilot off probation.

 

[SFR]

Also, I think having a requirement for knowing a current CAL (or insert airline here) pilot is great! It shows your social capability. For those of you who are qualified but don't know anyone, think outside the box!!!!! I feel that you will find a CAL pilot within 1 or 2 people of yourself.

Ex. You know someone who knows a CAL pilot or someone who knows someone who knows a CAL pilot. That is true!!!!

Good luck! Also, if you don't know any, start to jumpseat on them if they are an option for your commute.

SFR

 

[ACWild]

I may be wrong, but I think you need to find a CAL pilot that you flew with. This person has to be able to attest to your flying skills as well as your character.

 

[DiamondZ]

Had my online app in for a month or so with 1 rec. Went to a certain job fair and spoke with K.D. for about 5-10 mins and was called within a week.

 

[jwes]

Just had two new CAL hires (just finished IOE) I flew with in the past write a letter of rec. about a week ago. Hope its enough to get the interview?

 

[munson]

i had some internal recs and got an interview call and hire within about a month of each other. They really do rely heavily on the internal recs. Sounds bias from me since it got me in the door, but it makes sense as already said since they are hiring somewhat of a known quantity using the system. If you have an internal rec and not getting a call, you might want to call the people that gave it to you and have them check on it. That same thing happened to me, found out that whatever magic spell they put on your app with the rec didnt get put on it. They corrected that and 3 days later I got the call. Just something to check into. Great company with great people. They want to keep it that way.

 

[PCL_128]

Ex. You know someone who knows a CAL pilot or someone who knows someone who knows a CAL pilot. That is true!!!!

Good luck! Also, if you don't know any, start to jumpseat on them if they are an option for your commute.

I see what you're saying, but I just don't feel right in asking a guy I don't know very well for a recommendation. How can I ask a friend of a friend for a recommendation? Just doesn't work for me. I guess I'll just wait.

 

[munson]

you dont ask him yourself, get your friend who knows him to ask him on your behalf. If your friend is a true friend, I would hope that he would want to do this for you.

 

[ACWild]

That's a good way to put your "true friend" on the spot and make him think twice about your friendship. I think the criteria for a recommendation is that you can attest to the applicant's flying skills or for a personal reference, you have to have known the person for ten years.

 

[Jomama]

ACwild,

You do not have to had known the person 10yrs....to get on the A list you must have flown with the person and think, besides the person being of great character, that you could handle flying with him or her on a 3 or 4 day trip.

 

[ACWild]

I thought it was either/or. For instance, if you flew with the person, it would be a professional reference. That's the one that I've had to fill out for some friends through an e-mail from the AirApps site. Then you have the personal references who you're supposed to have known for ten years. Like I said, I'm not sure.

 

[Jomama]

Really it's up to the person who walks in the rec. The one certainty is that you must have actually flown with the person to get them on the "A" list. I've walked in a few rec's and had conversations with a couple of different ACP's, and they tell me that you must have flying exp. with that person, that person must have adeq. multi PIC time. They are also concerned with reasons that you left previous positions. They are concerned about people grabbing a type and leaving. If I rec. someone and they leave for another airline, I don't think they would accept anymore recs. from me. Personally that person would not get anymore recs. from me!!