If there is any doubt that the thaw in the hiring freeze has begun, this bit of information should do the trick. American Airlines, the last of the legacy carriers with throngs of pilots on furlough, announced it is accepting applications. The company has been recalling about 40 pilots per month since January. Sources indicate the first class was scheduled to start in late fall, two classes a month at least through the summer of 2014.
As further proof that the turnaround is under way is this fact: Some regional airlines, like American Eagle and Republic, are now offering “hiring bonuses” in the range of $5,000 or more. It doesn’t seem that long ago certain regionals were compelling new hires to pay for training.
For anyone yearning for a window seat on the flight deck of an airliner, hiring intelligence is a valuable asset. Over the decades, two firms have specialized in providing such data to aspiring airline pilots: Kit Darby’s AIR Inc, which shuttered its doors a few years back, and the former Future Aviation Professionals of America (FAPA).
Darby continues to provide custom airline industry research and analysis for select clients through The Consulting Group. FAPA has reinvigorated itself as Future Active Pilot Advisors. FAPA’s guiding light for more than 40 years has been Louis Smith, a retired Northwest Airlines captain whose avocation and passion is publishing and organizing information that helps current and future commercial pilots succeed in their careers. FAPA continues to offer such services as interview prep assistance, airline hiring minimums and salary information, airline application procedures, and periodic conferences such as the upcoming Global Pilot Career Conference and Job Fair in Miami scheduled for January 10. Hopeful airline pilots meet and greet recruiters and may be interviewed right there on the spot.
FAPA’s team provides regular hiring updates for its membership. Here is a snapshot of what was being reported recently. At the very least, it shows who the players are in the hiring game. Further, for those cynics who say that “No one is hiring,” the facts speak for themselves.
AMERICAN EAGLE: Started classes every two weeks beginning January 7, 2013. Hiring had been at approximately 50 new pilots monthly.
CAPE AIR: Had been hiring and expected to continue.
COMPASS: Reported to be hiring as of September.
DELTA: Resumed hiring in late fall and anticipates about 300 new pilots, most of whom will come from furloughed returnees and the Compass and Mesaba flow-through.
EXPRESSJET: Heavy hiring reported recently. New domiciles were scheduled tentatively to open August 31, 2013. Losing about 31 pilots per month from attrition.
FEDEX: No hiring reported.
FRONTIER: Accepting applications for Denver and Florida-based first officers.
GoJet: Holding classes every month through at least May 2014.
GREAT LAKES AIRLINES: Hiring continued through 2013.
HORIZON AIR: 12 hired in July and 20 in August. Applications were being accepted.
JETBLUE: Expecting to hire 200 to 250 pilots in 2014.
MESA: Has been hiring for immediate openings to support expansion with US Airways and United Airlines.
PIEDMONT: Six hired in July and eight in August. Eighty to 100 pilots hired in 2013. Piedmont has adjusted minimums to accommodate R-ATP applicants.
PSA: Had been hiring pilots. Reduced minimums to accommodate R-ATP applicants.
REPUBLIC: $5,000 signing bonus plus $500 referral. 50 pilots per month were needed through 2013.
SKYWEST: 30 pilots hired in September. E175 openings may become available in 2014.
SOUTHWEST: Anticipates hiring an additional 200 pilots. These pilots will be trained during the first quarter of 2014 to position SWA for the impact of the FAR 117 duty and rest requirements to balance for future attrition and increased vacation.
SPIRIT: Actively hiring pilots and expects to hire 20 pilots per month.
TRANS STATES: Two classes to be held every month in 2013.
UNITED: Recalled all furloughed pilots and is now hiring new pilots.
UPS: As of October, 20 pilots were on furlough.
US Airways: Hired nearly 80 pilots in the first quarter of 2013.
Thanks to the investigative work of FAPA, job hunters can focus their hunt where the best chances lie for a job. If you are well qualified and on the verge of applying, consider that January conference to connect with airlines directly (www.fapa.aero).
Related Articles
