Is it true some regionals are hiring people at 0 hour?

[ajn2003]

I had read something about this in Flying and then I heard more rumors yesterday. I have 360 hours TT and 100 multi but I am not current at all. I got my Comm/Multi/Inst at FSA in Vero in 2004 and when I got finished I moved home and tried to work for a charter company that was struggling to say the least and I ended up in another profession. But I can't stop thinking about flying. It has been nearly three years since I was flying with any regularity but I desperately want to get back into it. When I read about the pilot shortage that was the breaking point. I was considering going back to Vero to get my CFI and then getting a job with a regional if I could. Then I read the Academy has been sold. Any suggestions?

[firebirdswm]

I can't imagine they're doing that. That would mean they'd have to pay for your training. I imagine they won't ever go below a wet comm. multi.

Just saw it was your first post. Welcome to JC

[killbilly]

A certain JCer who works for a certain regional told me point blank, face-to-face, that some of the regionals were thinking about ab-initio programs where the pilot was trained from zero-hours by that airline at the airline's cost in exchange for a looooong service contract to that airline.

I'm not sure how I feel about that. At first blush, it sounded like a positive idea, but there are a whole lot of negatives, and I can see it breeding a lot of resentment. Indentured servitude can leave a bad taste in a lot of people's mouths.

[Duck_Twacy]

Welcome to JC!

I don't know about 0 hours, but with 360/100, you are already knocking on the door at a handful of regionals. Get your CFI (and thus, currency) and before you know it you'll qualify for a second handful.

[skydog]

Originally Posted by killbilly

A certain JCer who works for a certain regional told me point blank, face-to-face, that some of the regionals were thinking about ab-initio programs where the pilot was trained from zero-hours by that airline at the airline's cost in exchange for a looooong service contract to that airline.

I'm not sure how I feel about that. At first blush, it sounded like a positive idea, but there are a whole lot of negatives, and I can see it breeding a lot of resentment. Indentured servitude can leave a bad taste in a lot of people's mouths.

That would be an interesting set of circumstances. Did your source happen to mention how long a service commitment might be? It's one thing to sign a 10 year commitment to go to, say, United or American, or to be a military pilot. It's quite another to be commited to a regional for 10 years.

Then again, if the majors start doing it as well, then it kind of balances things out, in that getting an ab initio slot with a major will be just as competitve as it is to get hired with them now.

Interesting times

[Beech driver]

Originally Posted by Duck_Twacy

Welcome to JC!

I don't know about 0 hours, but with 360/100, you are already knocking on the door at a handful of regionals. Get your CFI (and thus, currency) and before you know it you'll qualify for a second handful.

I have to agree here. With your times you already are knocking on the door for some regionals. You need to regain your currency if you can't stop thinking about aviation.
Good luck.

[Goldmember]

This has been written about in several articles in Aopa Pilot magazine as well. The number thrown out there was 5 years. I guess the rationale is most places have you sign a one year, 15k training contract, so the five year deal should cover it. It's all speculation at this point though.

[bigcat]

ajn2003:

I agree with Duck_Twacy and Beech driver with 360/100, you are already knocking on the door at a handful of regionals.

Get your CFI (and thus, currency) and before you know it you'll qualify for a second handful.

Some new hire regional pilots are saying that a Regional Jet transition class (perhaps ATP,etc.) would be a good investment if you plan on taking he regional route.

Good Luck

[aloft]

Sounds very Mesa-esque. 5-year training contract and $10/hr pay for the duration, probably.

[surreal1221]

ugh. . .

Yes, I hope guys start applying with 0TT/0ME. That'll be the day.

[killbilly]

Originally Posted by skydog

That would be an interesting set of circumstances. Did your source happen to mention how long a service commitment might be? It's one thing to sign a 10 year commitment to go to, say, United or American, or to be a military pilot. It's quite another to be commited to a regional for 10 years.

Then again, if the majors start doing it as well, then it kind of balances things out, in that getting an ab initio slot with a major will be just as competitve as it is to get hired with them now.

Interesting times

I was under the impression (perhaps mistakenly) that this was how it's done in parts of Europe and Asia.

I guess some of it would depend on the wording of the contract.

I just don't like the idea of a program like that, although I cannot argue with the weeding-out process it would provide. I guess part of that is because if they DID have that kind of program, I wouldn't qualify (no degree.) But I wonder what the criteria would be, and how attractive the applicants would be based on the pay and QOL.

[ajn2003]

What about recency requirements? That is a big problem for me, I only have about 7 hours since 2005. I feel like my lack of recent flying negates my TT. HOw much time do the regionals typically want in 6 month period?

[Spooky007]

Not sure about US carriers, but I was an Instructor in Jakarta Indonisia ! and there training acadamy was very up to par with UAL's in Denver!

Of course all would be pilot trainees would be subject to a very rigorous initial test, (alomost like joining the Navy SEALS) but there was good sides and of course bad sides to it! Pedigree had some influnce ( if daddy was a pilot already) but most of the students I delt with where very sharp!

I think it could only behoove our shortage of pilots and give some of our less than able (money wise ) pilots a chance! there are good natural pilots out there they just can't afford it!

Just a thought!

[BuickCFI]

Far Eastern Air Trans hired some at 0TT, UND trained them and i believe pretty much at the end of this year they move to a 757? they have a 20 year commitment IIRC

Air China also is hiring at 0TT and UND again is doing training, students leave with around 250-280TT, 20-25 Turbine (King Air) and in about 1 year they move into whatever airplane Air China wants them to fly with a 99yr contract, ouch!

[Nihon_Ni]

Yes, it's true!

The job of Airport Bagggage Handler doesn't require any previous flight time!!