Latest on the CAL "Short StacK'

[HHH]

What's the latest on the CAL "Short Stack"?

1. Are you guaranteed an interview if your name is in the short stack?

2. How many people are now in the stack?

3. I have heard that if your name is in the short stack that you pretty much have the job unless you mess up really bad in the interview. Is this true?

Thanks for the help.

 

[Ex737Driver]

I will speak to an interviewer and see if I can get you some answers to 1 and 2. As for 3, if you get the interview, yes you pretty much have the job unless you royally FUBAR the interview.

 

[HHH]

I will speak to an interviewer and see if I can get you some answers to 1 and 2. As for 3, if you get the interview, yes you pretty much have the job unless you royally FUBAR the interview.

Thanks for checking!

 

[SlapShot]

Anyone have any idea what precentage of interviewees get offered a job?

 

[Oreo]

short stack

What's the "short stack" and how do I get on it ?

 

[Super Monkey]

"Well the list is long, but distinguished!"

Here's my experience:

I first applied back in 2005.

Had a buddy get on then and try to get my app. moved to the "short stack." (short stack is the pile you're in when a buddy walks your stuff into the chief's office)

*Note: CAL Pilots on Probation can't do anything for ya until after their year is up.

I had a retired 767 check airman make a phone call to the chief. In April 2007 I got moved into the "short stack" and he said that I get the call in 90 days.

After my buddy got off probation, he snooped around and put some more pressure on the chiefs too. Throw out a shotgun spread and hope ya hit something! ; )

Even with the summer slow down, I got the call just about 100 days after moved to short stack.

"Short Stack" might consist of 300 applicants (from my inside guy at CAL).

Got an offer to interview July! I chose the 18th in IAH!!!

*Note- Ms. Wilborne said she was interviewing to fill classes in Sept and Oct.

Well, I'm freakin out right now...grinning ear to ear...doing cartwheels and backflips!

Hope this helps. The wait suck...I knows how it goes.

Good luck to all!

 

[Jetjockey]

I've never heard the 1 year probationary pilot being prevented from putting in a reccomendation. I know guys who have done this in thier first year.

 

[Crucianpilot]

I've never heard the 1 year probationary pilot being prevented from putting in a reccomendation. I know guys who have done this in thier first year.

This is true. I helped get 2 guys hired during my probationary year. Just have to keep talking to the chief pilot about them. That way they get moved from one stack to the next. Eventually, they end up in the short stack.

 

[bearcat]

You are never gauranteed anything. A CP can put you in the short stack, but someone from recruiting has to select you for an interview. The short stack is the only one that counts. (actually the term selected is more appropriate.) The percentage of successful interviews is diminishing because of the experince levels are diminishing. Age 65 wont have much of an impact for now. The interview hasn't changed so it is very straight forward. Go to Air Inc. (not a fan) and show your face. That may help you. If you are in the short stack without a 4 year and have someone on probation beating down the wall for you to get an interview, after several tries it CAN happen. I would network like a SOB and you will meet your goals. Save money for the first couple of years.

 

[Palomino]

*Note: CAL Pilots on Probation can't do anything for ya until after their year is up.

not true

 

[talespin]

"Well the list is long, but distinguished!"



*Note: CAL Pilots on Probation can't do anything for ya until after their year is up.



Not true!

I got two of my buddies hired by going into the 737 fleet managers office with names in had, while I was at the school house. Beware, I thought it would be an easy deal walking in to his office handing him a couple names and then out the door. WRONG, I got the interview of my life. He wanted to know what kind of guy I was and in retrospect I understand where he was going with his questions, but I wasn't really prepared for our meeting.

 

[catIIIc]

"Well the list is long, but distinguished!"



*Note: CAL Pilots on Probation can't do anything for ya until after their year is up.



Not true!

I got two of my buddies hired by going into the 737 fleet managers office with names in had, while I was at the school house. Beware, I thought it would be an easy deal walking in to his office handing him a couple names and then out the door. WRONG, I got the interview of my life. He wanted to know what kind of guy I was and in retrospect I understand where he was going with his questions, but I wasn't really prepared for our meeting.

That is because CP our Fleet Manager is not easy to talk to and not a very nice guy. He definately leaned on a couple guys I know when they went in. Try DL or your Chief Pilot.

 

[acbarney]

not true

It depends on your ACP. The 756 FO ACP in EWR is infamous for not "allowing" new hires to recommend anyone.

 

[cpierse]

That is because CP our Fleet Manager is not easy to talk to and not a very nice guy. He definately leaned on a couple guys I know when they went in. Try DL or your Chief Pilot.

Really?! That surprises me because I think CP is the best guy in management that I've dealt with at Cal. He was very helpful in getting a buddy of mine an interview and even called me afterwards, so I could personally offer my friend the job. I thought that was very classy.

He probably does come across a little gruff, though - that's just because he's a Marine. Or maybe he was easy on me because he knows I have more night traps than he does.

 

[Ezekial19:79]

I was told in January that I was in the "short stack". Haven't heard a peep. Just FYI...

 

[Pocono Pilot]

I was told in January that I was in the "short stack". Haven't heard a peep. Just FYI...

You don't realize how lucky you are.

My friends at CAL are about ready to drop dead from exhaustion.

12 days off and 98 hours a month. Month after month.

Yucky!

 

[Uniform Shop]

You don't realize how lucky you are.

My friends at CAL are about ready to drop dead from exhaustion.

12 days off and 98 hours a month. Month after month.

Yucky!

Yucky????????? :laugh:

 

[Captain X]

You don't realize how lucky you are.

My friends at CAL are about ready to drop dead from exhaustion.

12 days off and 98 hours a month. Month after month.

Yucky!

Then they must be picking up time or bidding for that much time. Lines haven't been built above 89:30 for the last several months and dropped lower than that for July.

Rumor has it that most BESs will have mostly 72-76 hour lines combined with much higher days off (>15) starting in October through the end of the year.

 

[Scrapdog]

You don't realize how lucky you are.

My friends at CAL are about ready to drop dead from exhaustion.

12 days off and 98 hours a month. Month after month.

Yucky!

Jesus, this never gets old. Pocono, I'm beginning to think you're just stupid. Again, from Pocono Pilot, posted on 2/24/07:

I agree.

With all the retirements, CAL could be the most secure major out there. Also, there is a good chance that CAL will be the highest paid eventually with a new contract.

I hope to be there soon.

 

[sleeves]

"Well the list is long, but distinguished!"



*Note: CAL Pilots on Probation can't do anything for ya until after their year is up.



Not true!

I got two of my buddies hired by going into the 737 fleet managers office with names in had, while I was at the school house. Beware, I thought it would be an easy deal walking in to his office handing him a couple names and then out the door. WRONG, I got the interview of my life. He wanted to know what kind of guy I was and in retrospect I understand where he was going with his questions, but I wasn't really prepared for our meeting.

I agree I got a guy hired after a week in class. The "Talk" with the fleet Manager was harder than my interview.

 

[sleeves]

That is because CP our Fleet Manager is not easy to talk to and not a very nice guy. He definately leaned on a couple guys I know when they went in. Try DL or your Chief Pilot.

I disagree about CP. While the "talk" was not easy I am glad he does it this way. He does not want you to recommend some guy you just met on the jumpseat or at the hotel bar. He wants the best people, someone you know well.

 

[COpilot]

You don't realize how lucky you are.

My friends at CAL are about ready to drop dead from exhaustion.

12 days off and 98 hours a month. Month after month.

Yucky!

Wow! we made it to page two before she had something to say...

 

[Pocono Pilot]

Jesus, this never gets old. Pocono, I'm beginning to think you're just stupid.

Hey S. Crapdog.

Please tell me. Is it true that there are actually less pilots at CAL now than there was last January.

The latest rumor here at Express is that CAL used to have in excess of 5,000 pilots, but so many have quit or retired that you are own to around 4600 or so??

How many pilots are leaving that place anyway?

Glad I turned down that job offer. Things are better here than there, that is for sure.

:blush:

 

[Scrapdog]

Hey S. Crapdog.

Please tell me. Is it true that there are actually less pilots at CAL now than there was last January.

The latest rumor here at Express is that CAL used to have in excess of 5,000 pilots, but so many have quit or retired that you are own to around 4600 or so??

How many pilots are leaving that place anyway?

Glad I turned down that job offer. Things are better here than there, that is for sure.

:blush:

Alright sweetheart, listen I just want you to take a deep breath and hear me out. This is to help you. Do you realize how stupid you sound? I mean honestly, do you? You have absolutely no credibility anymore. When someone posts that she "really wants to be at CAL soon" and thinks it one of the best Majors out there - then turns around and bad mouths it every chance she gets - no one is going to f*cking give her the time of the day. And that "her" I'm referring to - is you. Have you seen all the posts everytime after you say something making fun of you? That's because no one respects you one iota. You're a fake and a phoney.

Baby, it's OK if you don't want to work at CAL. But just realize karma comes around full circle. With such a sh*tty attitude as yours, I'm glad you really enjoy flying a rejional jet. Because you're going to be flying that piece of garbage RJ for many more years to come - I can garauntee you that.

 

[Pocono Pilot]

blah blah blah blah blah

You never answered my question stud muffin.

I've got an idea for you over there at CAL.

Insead of flying passengers, maybe you should get into the Southwest 737 type rating business. Or how about the UPS Groundschool prep business.

After all, I just read on a thread that you would leave CAL for purple or brown right?

I'm sure CAL loves all those wasted sim training costs.

hehehe

 

[Scrapdog]

You never answered my question stud muffin.

I've got an idea for you over there at CAL.

Insead of flying passengers, maybe you should get into the Southwest 737 type rating business. Or how about the UPS Groundschool prep business.

After all, I just read on a thread that you would leave CAL for purple or brown right?

I'm sure CAL loves all those wasted sim training costs.

hehehe

Nope, I said I'd consider it. And I also said I really enjoy working at CAL as well. Great airline, great young folks, and great outlook - especially when our contract is re-negotiated next year.

It's good to have all options open - that's common sense....and that's something you'll never have.

 

[Pocono Pilot]

Nope, I said I'd consider it. And I also said I really enjoy working at CAL as well. Great airline, great young folks, and great outlook - especially when our contract is re-negotiated next year.

It's good to have all options open - that's common sense....and that's something you'll never have.

I just noticed that I have almost double the amount of flight time as you.

I bet I could teach you a thing or two.

 

[CJCCapt]

Current number of CAL pilots is just under 4900. The highest it's been is 4920 or so. It has been climbing steadily until the summer hiring slowdown.

I flew with a flight instructor/captain who frequently sits on the hiring panel. He said the hire rate has dropped to around 65% from around 90% at the first of the year.

 

[Scrapdog]

I just noticed that I have almost double the amount of flight time as you.

I bet I could teach you a thing or two.

Sweetie, here's the difference - you fly from point A to B in that piece of sh*t RJ about 6 times a day and log about 8 hours. I fly 1 mission a day in a fighter for 0.9 and the brief and debrief combined with the flight takes up the entire day. The variables that consist in your decision making include which major airline to b*tch about because you didn't get hired there and which crappy airport restuarant to get dinner at. Most guys my age that have flown fighters all their life will have about 1000 hours or more of flight time - that's just the way it goes when your sortie consits of 1 hour at a time because you're out of jet fuel after that. There is a reason why SWA, FDX, and UPS have half to more than half of their pilot work force as military flyers. Again, something you'll never understand.

What exactly are you going to teach me? How to stare in space with the autopilot on for hours at a time? Or how to fly an ILS to a full stop? Give me a f*cking break! I'd say I'd teach you a thing or two when you get hired at a major and fly an airplane that holds more than 50 people (or 40 or less because the piece of garbage is always weight restricted) - but that won't happen either.

 

[Pocono Pilot]

There is a reason why SWA, FDX, and UPS have half to more than half of their pilot work force as military flyers.

Then how come you are not a Fed Ex or UPS?