Airline Hiring: What Pilots Needs to Know Now

Ready 4 Pushback Episode 143

Dive into the turbulent waters of the airline industry in this episode, where we uncover the real story behind the headlines and current hiring trends. From the latest on Spirit's struggles to insights on navigating training contracts, this episode is a must-listen for pilots at every stage of their career!

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE
• The changing dynamics of regional airline hiring and the demand for captains
• How training contracts and retention bonuses impact pilot career decisions
• What are the current challenges faced by Spirit and Frontier Airlines?
• Key insights into the hiring practices of major airlines
• Strategies to stand out in a competitive pilot job market

RESOURCES/LINKS MENTIONED

CONNECT WITH US

[Justin-nydf]

Currently working on Instrument. I'm kind of glad everything is slowing down because I was trying to rush through all of my training and get it all done as fast as possible. But now that everything is slowing down, I'm actually able to enjoy my training and the road to becoming a professional.

[mattcollins]

This video is spot on and corroborates everything I've been seeing firsthand.

[wmbushUT]

Very true about the regional pay!! Im in deep at a regional and there is no way i will leave now. QOL and make the same as my friends at a major and more in retirement than them.. i was taught 20 years ago. “Slow and steady wins the race”. I thought man all my friends are leaving for a major. Then things happen. Layoffs. Downgrades, and i was left thankful where i was.. the true look back happens at 65 when you look back and see if you mad a good choice…

[LtColDaddy]

I’m on unpaid leave due to my wife passing away from ALS. I don’t really intend to go back. I’m a mid level CA, going on 23 yrs. I would say, your advice on the financial’s is as sound as I’ve ever heard. We live in a very normal house, put a lot of miles on our cars, we keep them 10 years, and we don’t ever make payments on new ones when we buy them.

I want my kids to feel productive and useful, to experience the satisfaction of earning things. Not grow up spoiled and entitled. A middle of the middle lifestyle is a sweet place to be when your B plan, and whole market VanGuard funds are worth over $10 million.

In my case, I have a concurrent full time career farming, I flight instruct, and I’m an A&P who does a few dozen annuals on the cheap for people I know, and I work on other peoples farm equipment for money. I own rental properties as well.

Because I’ve made these choices, not going back to my airline is not a big deal. But I know hundreds of people who would do a swan dive off a bridge if it happened to them.

[BabyBlue.]

Great video. Thanks for touching on a bit of everything. When aircraft deliveries stabilize, do you expect FO hiring to pick up at places like SWA and the Legacies?

[neekonsaadat]

Great video, subscribed and looking forward to next week's vid

[connorboule]

Hey Nik, I currently have a CJO from Skywest and have been offered their new training contract. I have held off signing this far with some of the concerns I have heard on your podcast and on aviation central forum. What would you do in my shoes, sign and just know I'm locked in. Or don't sign and continue applying and interviewing with other regionals, knowing the job market isnt on fire as it was.

[jnick]

So is it still worth it to make a career change into the airlines ? That’s all I need to know 😂.

[higherthanakite]

So all this being said, what regional do you think future pilots should have their eyes on? I’m in the west coast btw.

[ashleywanzer]

Thank you for this video. I am curious... where are the drop-off points for people? Assuming 100% of 'zero to hero' folks want to go to the majors... what percentage drop at private? what percentage drop at CFI/CFII/MEI and why? What percentage drop after signing with cargo or regionals (presumably due to schedule-QOL, but why?)? I'm curious if life changes or if there are different unforeseen obstacles that prevent the dream from taking lift. Thank you for your insights!

[slipandskid]

Love the video, such wealth of information. I'm planning to start D225 this year, would you still recommend someone to drop their full time job and go for it?

[artifice]

I’m currently at ATP CTP right now because no one will hire me. Not a cheap class. 😅 I’m at restricted ATP mins now.

[JB_Hobbies]

Hopefully people who got swept up in the frenzy and took out accelerated program loans can return some of that money and slow down if they are still in training. High interest rates and high balances are no joke.

[chipilot]

Things have gone back to normal, pre pandemic normal. It's not a bad place to be compared to how bad it can be. I think 2022, 2023 will never happen again and I'm ok with that.

[iheartx]

UPS is a “little company” lol market cap is bigger than all the legacy and LCC carriers combined.

[baseballrockssb]

Hey man really love all the stuff you talked about here! A lot of things I wasnt considering. Was wondering if you had some thoughts on my situation... I'm a first officer at a regional almost 1300 total hours. I have a class date with Sun Country in July. I am not flying at all on reserve where I am at but am about 3/4 months away from holding a line. That is probably about the time I would be done with training at Sun Country but I have friends there and they are also not flying at all on reserve. My thinking is that if I sacrifice a couple more months of flying thats okay because its a better career move to make the leap to Sunny. Only reason I'm at all hesitant is because I've been with my regional since February of 2023 and still don't even have 200 hours here. I just want to fly but also want to make sure im making the better long term play. Thanks!

[stephensmithpharmd]

So it sounds like you think regional pay is going to drop back down in a couple years? Do you think it will go back down to new FO pay of $20 an hour?

[duncanroebuck]

Hi all, I am seeking advice. I am a British national and hope to have a green card in a year or so. I have about 15, 500 hours on mostly 737/777 and about 200 on the 787. Once I have a green card I hope to live and work in the US. I am finding the US job market very difficult to navigate largely due to the 1000 hour requirement. Is there any way “around” this requirement or at least a short cut of sorts for someone in my position? I am 50 years old and able live anywhere in the US and then move for a command upgrade if required. Thanks for any info or tips.

[ginacooper]

There will still be turn over. Those who were rushed in could have career killer issues. I wouldn’t necessarily get discouraged. Stay persistent! Find your calling in the Industry

[MrTB]

“Never a better time to become a pilot” they said

I’ve got 1200 hours and this happens 🤦🏻‍♂️
Thankfully I didn’t get a loan for my training