Cpt_Kirk
En-Route
Thanks. Delta is really one where I would love to spend my career. FedEx is another (isn't it everybody's?Its happens very infrequently, not that it cant happen but its a very tall order...hell even with prior 121 or military its still a tall order and cut-throat competitive.
You will always hear those "my buddy stories" but the reality is its less than a 5% chance if you just have pure P91 time. At the last WIA conference Delta said flat out they don't hire civilian pilots without 121 or 135 time.
The Majors have to have something to measure you to their standard by and prior 121 or military makes it very seamless for them to do so .
I guess my next step would be some sort of 135 experience as much as I'd like to avoid it.
Thanks for the advice. I'd like to avoid LCC just because of what they are. I know I won't get anywhere if I'm picky. I have my perfect career picked out... But I'll just see what options I have when I get to the fork in the road.If by major you really mean legacy or SWA - like taters said it's not easy. A lot of hiring at legacies right now is being driven by preferential interviews or flows from the regionals, or from the military. It's hard to be hired directly off the street even with a lot of 121 experience. I do have a friend that made the leap to my airline, but he was crazy qualified - Chief Pilot, flew Gulfstreams all over the world, 10 type ratings, and so on. Even then, I got the interview in less than a quarter of the time it took him to get his, and I didn't have half the background he did. But I had 121 time.
But I *do* think it's more possible if you look at the LCCs - JetBlue, Virgin America, or Spirit. Lots of pure corporate/charter guys get hired over there, and it might be a more palatable place to hang your hat and get 121 experience than a regional airline. I have a few friends that have done that, and two plan on sticking out their careers there (both are at JetBlue).
I didn't mean to hijack, but this is somewhat relevant to the OP.