What's the ratio of hires....Continental

[jwes]

What is the ratio for people called for the Continental interview, that get hired? A great buddy of mine just got the call for an interview and I'm curious what his chances are. I haven't heard anyone not getting it after being called, though I'm not as tuned in as I am in Southwest.

 

[geshields]

What is the ratio for people called for the Continental interview, that get hired? A great buddy of mine just got the call for an interview and I'm curious what his chances are. I haven't heard anyone not getting it after being called, though I'm not as tuned in as I am in Southwest.

I do not know the exact percentage but it is probably about 10-15% that get turned down...

 

[Jetjockey]

The hard part is getting the interview. One of the best interview processes out there.

 

[jwes]

Bump me up scottie

 

[jetjockey#1]

The only catch at CAL is the fact that you need to have somebody to push your application, not just two or three letters of recomendation from CAL pilots; then, make sure you meet minimums, that's it. No turbine PIC?, that's ok, as long as you have somebody to push your papers.
I guess some people think this process it's not fair, but what's the alternative? hire 30 people to screen every single application to decide who gets an interview, and then what, PIC jet ahead of prop, and then military fighter ahead of heavy......

Too confusing and expensive, how about let your employees, who you trust bring in more good people. I guess it makes sense.


The days of merit are gone, today it's all about who you know, and then make sure you meet minimums.

 

[cpierse]

Too confusing and expensive, how about let your employees, who you trust bring in more good people. I guess it makes sense.


The days of merit are gone, today it's all about who you know, and then make sure you meet minimums.

You make a valid point that the airline should trust their own employees to bring in good people, so why do you believe that means "the days of merit are gone?" If a pilot doesn't know anyone anywhere who's willing to recommend them, that's probably a pretty good indication that their merit is questionable.

 

[beagle capt]

Anyone anywhere?

Questionable merit? Does this "sponsor thing" mean someone you've flown with who can attest to your abilities as an airman, or someone you just met who happens to work at your intended airline? I've flown with probably hundreds of F/Os and Captains in the last nine years at my airline, and those I've asked have written outstanding letters of recommendation for me. But to the best of my knowledge none of them work at CAL. So a flawless safety/training record, 7500+ hours PIC and well over 11,000 hours TT is apparently without merit...............

 

[tmac3333]

60-65%. Straight from a chief pilot a couple of months ago.

 

[Captain Overs]

The only catch at CAL is the fact that you need to have somebody to push your application, not just two or three letters of recomendation from CAL pilots; then, make sure you meet minimums, that's it. No turbine PIC?, that's ok, as long as you have somebody to push your papers.
I guess some people think this process it's not fair, but what's the alternative? hire 30 people to screen every single application to decide who gets an interview, and then what, PIC jet ahead of prop, and then military fighter ahead of heavy......

Too confusing and expensive, how about let your employees, who you trust bring in more good people. I guess it makes sense.


The days of merit are gone, today it's all about who you know, and then make sure you meet minimums.

I agree. We wouldn't want the most qualified applicant getting an interview with your airline.

 

[sleeves]

So a flawless safety/training record, 7500+ hours PIC and well over 11,000 hours TT is apparently without merit...............

You need this and the push from someone inside. These qualifications are a dime a dozen. There are thousands of guys on file at CAL with the exact same boxes checked as you. You will here stories of some kid who was an F/O for a year at ABC regional and is now a 777 f/o. They are the exception not the rule. These types are very well connected. In my class we had only one guy with less than 8000 hrs. He was a Marine full bird colonel who flew Harriers. Most had prior Boeing time and lots of PIC.

Even with a sponser it is hard to get an interview. I went to bat for a guy and he got hired. The interview for me to sponsor him was harder then my interview was. They want to make sure you really know this person well and ask lots of questions. Things that can help you besides getting the great sponsor are; being a check airmen, and doing things for your company or union outside of the cockpit.

 

[eglpilot]

i didnt make last year

 

[skid]

I agree. We wouldn't want the most qualified applicant getting an interview with your airline.

Why do people think just because someone has a lot of flight time that they are the most qualified? I have flown with a lot of high time guys and some really SUCK!

Time should not be the only thing looked at. There are alot of highly qualified working individuals that would make outstanding employees that have no PIC turbine. I have met some that could fly circles around these "more qualified (high time) people." It is more the way they handle themselves, not time. I would much rather fly with these type of people then the guys who bitch nonstop about the job that have 10000 hrs and 5000 PIC turbine.