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Positives and Negatives of getting hired by Delta?

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H

Hazen

Member
Joined
Nov 4, 2006
Posts
18
Got an interview offer from Delta. Wondering what the pros and cons would be getting hired by them in these troubled times.
 
Hazen said:
Got an interview offer from Delta. Wondering what the pros and cons would be getting hired by them in these troubled times.
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Go to the interview and get the job. Then decide how long you want to stay. In the mean time you have a job at DL!

Andy
 
Working with ME...... Wait, that would be a positive, right?? I will buy the third and fifth beers....

No, this job is a good one, and as long as we don't have to downsize due to a certain merger, then things will be fine. If another merger materializes though, that could be good for all of us. If Bethune gets his way with consolidation, and we merge with the right partner, it could be really good.

As far as the flying goes, well, no more FE or third seat, the planes are nice, the bases are pretty good. Overall, it is a good job I think. The pay will eventually go back up (maybe not as high as in the past), and if you want to fly INTL flights, you have a good chance at getting it fairly quick. Lots of variety with our different fleets, which is good too.


Bye Bye--General Lee
 
Hazen said:
Got an interview offer from Delta. Wondering what the pros and cons would be getting hired by them in these troubled times.
Click to expand...

If you are even remotely considering a career here you need to be the first one through the door when the hiring cycle begins. Look there hasn't been a pilot seniority number given out since July 2001.
 
Being on the bottom anywhere leaves you exposed to being laid off. With a merger scenario, even the traditional 10% safety margin might not be enough.

But, it's a job at a major. It's a number. It's a better situation than those who don't have a number.

It might even outweigh having to fly with the General...;) TC
 
Hazen said:
Got an interview offer from Delta. Wondering what the pros and cons would be getting hired by them in these troubled times.
Click to expand...


where are you working now? Cause my answer will depend on what you are doing at this time. Someone giving up a good job to come here is taking a chance. If this merger goes through, I have no doubt about the bottom 500-1000 Delta pilots will be furloughed.

Having said that, if we fight off this merger, or merge with NW, I think you would be in a great position.

IF someone were in a position to sit back and wait a few months to see what develops, I would do it. But I know we don't always have that option. You apply as soon as possible and the interview may come next week, or it may come in six months.

Good luck.
PS on a side note, its interesting that people are even asking this question. Goes to show pretty much no one believes Parker when he says no furloughs.
 
Actually leaving active duty with the military. Got my apps in a bunch of places, but the first to call was Delta. Totally suprised me. My interview is at the end of Jan. I have been leaning heavily toward the cargo guys, but it is a slow process to get hired. I think I will eventually get an interview with them.

Delta is perfect for me as far as the bases, variety of flying, etc.. The discouraging thing for me is retirement?? and job security??

I have heard I would be slow to move up the seniority list due to the young pilot group at Delta. Any truth to that? I guess it would be good to be right behind guys hired in 2001 though.
 
Hazen said:
Actually leaving active duty with the military. Got my apps in a bunch of places, but the first to call was Delta. Totally suprised me. My interview is at the end of Jan. I have been leaning heavily toward the cargo guys, but it is a slow process to get hired. I think I will eventually get an interview with them.
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in your shoes I would say you have nothing to lose. If it works out, great. If not, you are no worse off than you would have been by leaving active duty with no job offer.

Long term, if we can avoid a merger with USAir I think you will have a bright future with Delta. I was in the same boat you would be in......hired after a long period of furloughs and no new hires. Being at the leading edge of a hiring period can make a big difference.

As far as retirement, I think what we have now is just fine. Its a 9% DC plan along with a 2% 401k match. And I would bet we can increase that some in the future. The benefit of this is you are not tied to the company. If things don't work out down the road, you can leave and take all your retirement money with you.

Send me a PM if you have any specific questions.
 
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Don't trust them that you're hired, until you have a class date. Don't slow down your job search one bit until you got an I.D.

Ask me how I know this....
 
You said it yourself, getting hired at one of the freight outfits is a slow process. Take the Delta job if they offer it. Run like he!! when a better offer comes along. The airlines loyalty to you should be your loyalty to the airline. Good luck! May every interview result in a job offer!:beer:
 
landlover said:
big shock, delta is hiring military guys!:)
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Why wouldn't they be hiring military guys? Isn't it common knowledge that they are the best pilots that are the most desirable to hire? I fully expect to be called for an interview at any airline that I apply to once I meet there minimums. Just Kidding, since you made the initial comment I thought I would stir the pot a little. Hopefully the thread stays on track and doesn't break down into a military vs civillian, man vs woman, or minority hiring practices debate.
 
They prefer millitary. Problem is that any military man woth his salt is trying for FEDEX, UPS and CO.
 
I would pull my papers and stay in the military.....why? When this age 65 thing goes through...Delta probably won't need you and no one else will be hiring either....things are going to be stagnant at every airline. Stay in the mil for another 5 years an let it all get sorted out. Even if you get hired, there is a great possibility that you'll be furloughed...But that is a small price to pay considering you'll be helping some Captain support his 4th wife. Stay in the military...things are about to get ugly again in this industry.

Take it from someone who was furloughed after 9/11...being out on the street is no fun...and your Delta number won't even buy you a cup of coffee.
 
Hazen said:
I think I will eventually get an interview with them.

.
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Dang! I wish I was this confident when I was shooting for FredEx or UPS.
I heard UPS doesn't want anymore fighter jocks.......ha ha....just messin' with ya! Good luck at the Delta interview.
 
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That Military retirement and medical can really help. Stay until retirement if you can.
As one of the other posters pointed out - things can turn quickly in the US Airline industry. There have been furloughs and liquidations in the past and there will be more in the future.
Just my .02...
 
El Pobre said:
I would pull my papers and stay in the military.....why? When this age 65 thing goes through...Delta probably won't need you and no one else will be hiring either....things are going to be stagnant at every airline. Stay in the mil for another 5 years an let it all get sorted out. Even if you get hired, there is a great possibility that you'll be furloughed...But that is a small price to pay considering you'll be helping some Captain support his 4th wife. Stay in the military...things are about to get ugly again in this industry.

Take it from someone who was furloughed after 9/11...being out on the street is no fun...and your Delta number won't even buy you a cup of coffee.
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Wrong. We already lost most of our older captains, and only have 300 over 55 and 1000 total over 50. But, we are hiring for expansion reasons, and have already parked our older planes.

Let me guess, you don't qualify for a DL interview? You sure are negative, and the psych guy would spot that in a second. You would have no chance.


Bye Bye--General Lee
 
Thanks for all the advice. Not planning on staying in the military though. Yes most military guys are not beating down the doors at Delta. I was shocked to get the call. But I cannot pass it up. I have heard that some places don't like to hire you if you are currently at another airline. Not sure if that is true.
I will definitely continue my pursuit in looking for a job until I get somewhere worth staying. Who knows, Delta may not hire me anyway.
 
Question for you all.....

If someone was hired by Delta and Jetblue at the same time, what do you think is the smartest choice?

Yes, Delta has a better pay scale, work rules, fleet of a/c (variety of flying), pilot domiciles....

But, with all of of this merger talk going on....it's a bit of a gamble to go, don't you think?

Jetblue is a young, growing company that has a more-or-less happy pilot group. They are underpaid for sure, but upgrades...compared to most companies, come pretty fast.

I've always wanted to fly for a major, especially Delta....but i'm wondering if it would be smart to take a job there at this point.

Opinions please.
 
DBCOOPER said:
Question for you all.....

If someone was hired by Delta and Jetblue at the same time, what do you think is the smartest choice?

Yes, Delta has a better pay scale, work rules, fleet of a/c (variety of flying), pilot domiciles....

But, with all of of this merger talk going on....it's a bit of a gamble to go, don't you think?

Jetblue is a young, growing company that has a more-or-less happy pilot group. They are underpaid for sure, but upgrades...compared to most companies, come pretty fast.

I've always wanted to fly for a major, especially Delta....but i'm wondering if it would be smart to take a job there at this point.

Opinions please.
Click to expand...

Check your spelling. It's jetBlue. :rolleyes:
 
I have my app in at DAL as well. I got it in on the first day. No email or call yet. Hopefully soon!!!!!! I was curious as to what the competitive mins were. I only have about 4500 TT with 1400 121 PIC. I am at my 2'nd ACMI freight carrier after a 4 month furlough and it pretty well sucks. Trips are usually over 18 days. To those getting calls good luck and count your blessings.
 
Couple of questions about the pay if someone wouldn't mind answering.

I just looked at the airlinepilot pay website. Is the guarantee still 65 hrs? and is there still a pay bank type system or is there no upper limit (other than far's) on what you can make per month?

Thanks
 
Flash said:
I just looked at the airlinepilot pay website. Is the guarantee still 65 hrs? and is there still a pay bank type system or is there no upper limit (other than far's) on what you can make per month?
Click to expand...


Yeah, I think the 65 hour guarantee is still there. But, you will never see a line built where you don't fly 65. Reserves get 70 hours. There is still a bank system. There is a limit on what you can pick up. You can only pick up trips to 15 above the ALV (average line value), but once you have your trips, if delays, etc, cause you to go over, you will get paid for what you fly.

One problem we have, and this is an 88 problem in particular, is that the company likes to build mostly 4 day trips. They are usually 22 or so hours. So you have a situation where three trips will get you in the line construction window (this month it was 65-85) but four trips will put you over. So you get stuck with three four day trips worth about 66 hours. If you are junior you may or may not be able to pick up more flying. Odds are you will, but its not a sure thing.
 

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