Finding Qualified Pilots...

[AA717driver]

I was told that Virgin America had pretty much cleaned out the ranks of "qualified" A320 typed pilots and will now consider 757/767 experience and lots of time for CA positions.

I told my friend that if they even paid $10/hr. more they would be able to find a lot more people.

We'll see if they're serious about getting and retaining quality people. TC

 

[Lear70]

There's no real surprise.

The ex-Indy guys are almost all somewhere stable, the majors have recalled a very large portion of their furloughees and will finish recalls by the end of the year in most cases.

There's just not a large pool of applicants to draw on if you want A320 experience.

I disagree with you about one thing: they could raise the salary $50 an hour and they'd still have a hard time getting guys to leave their major airline job and come fly there. Too big of a risk, not enough payoff.

Would you get some of the lower-seniority guys from maybe JBlue who would see A320 CA within 12 months? Maybe. But that would be about it.

They're going to have to take high-time regional guys before they start getting meat in the seats, and even then the experienced high-time pilots and check airmen might pass also since they're trying to get with a stable Major carrier.

Worst time in recent aviation history to start an airline (barring post 9/11 of course).

 

[Socalplt]

They hired a about a half dozen or so SkyWest guys last Nov-Dec without any 320 time.

 

[instructordude]

I'm considring applying. The pay isn't great but really isn't awful. I just need to make the jump into bigger equipment.

 

[BLUE BAYOU]

Yeah, wait until you sit reserve in SFO and see how far that pay will go...

 

[flyboyike]

Anybody know what their plans are as far as hiring FOs?

 

[Fly4hire]

Yeah, wait until you sit reserve in SFO and see how far that pay will go...

Or live in SFO if you can't JS........

 

[Non Union]

Worst time in recent aviation history to start an airline (barring post 9/11 of course).

Don't say that too loud or the ExpressJet guys will get mad at you.

 

[AA717driver]

They hired a about a half dozen or so SkyWest guys last Nov-Dec without any 320 time.

Those were for FO. They need CA's now. TC

 

[Yuppyguppy]

another scab operator brutal

 

[westward]

What?

How does scab even apply?

 

[snow-back]

another scab operator brutal

Concerning labor, a SCAB can only be one thing.

Don't diminish the term by including other groups.

 

[TWA Dude]

How does scab even apply?

I'm sure they can apply on-line just like everybody else.

I just couldn't resist.

 

[MINIME]

It's kind of hard to blame someone for going to a place like Virgin right NOW. Truth is, if you don't know that special someone at one of the current airlines that are hiring, you aren't going anywhere.

LUV in my humble opinion, is the best pax flying job out there right now. But what are the chances of someone actually getting the job? Almost slim to none in most cases. Although, with LUV you have to meet some hard requirements to get the invite. I just don't think that your buddy could get you in like it is at most places. All the others, require you to know someone and go to bat for you.

Some just don't have those advantages. In retrospect, I don't blame some for trying the only avenue that's available to them. I know what it's like to see your peers with less time and experience than you, leave to greener pastures. Not because they're better qualified or better pilots or a better person than you, but because they knew somebody. Just in case anybody's wondering, I'm not applying at VA. I'm already in training for a good carrier that I was fortunate enough to have my buddies help with. (I'm no exception). And no, it's not Skybus either. Damn, now LUV just called as well. What to do?

 

[Chronic Jetlag]

Can anyone confirm that VA is asking all new FOs to fly 1 year in the left seat before they can upgrade? And once they upgrade they'll have to go to the bottom of the captain's seniority list?
Also is it also true that all new hire pilots are asked to sign an agreement that they won't try to unionize? SFO is no more expensive or cheaper than NY. Majority of the pilots will turn out to be commuters just like JB.

 

[radarlove]

Also is it also true that all new hire pilots are asked to sign an agreement that they won't try to unionize?.

That's against federal law, I wonder if they're that naive?

 

[AA717driver]

Can anyone confirm that VA is asking all new FOs to fly 1 year in the left seat before they can upgrade? And once they upgrade they'll have to go to the bottom of the captain's seniority list?

Yes, that's what I was told.

Also is it also true that all new hire pilots are asked to sign an agreement that they won't try to unionize?

Not that I know of. TC

P.S.--Good one, TWAdude!