Wichita Business Daily

How hard are airlines like Southwest and jetBlue to get into?

Airlines without a regional program? Are they harder to get into than say moving up from Delta Connection to Delta Airlines? Also, how hard are regional airlines to get into when the economy is OK? Why did you report this, "just another user"

Public Comments

1. First off make sure that there is an actual "flow through" program from the regional to the major as they don't always exist. Also, bear in mind that they generally work both ways, which means when the major gets in trouble, instead of laying off pilots... it pushes them back down to the Regional carrier... and THOSE pilots get pushed out onto the street. It is a LONG complicated problem, much more than would be dealt with here... but you need to understand that it exists and is a strong point of contention between the regional and the main carrier. The bottom line, don't expect to see this idea work, it *should* work, but it probably won't in my lifetime. If you talk to the guys at the Regional about such things.. be prepared for a lot of emotion. As to SWA and JetBlue, SWA since the change of the rules regarding mandatory retirement age, is allowing former Captains the opportunity to come back to work, and they are receiving preferential hiring status.... so don't expect to see any outside pilots hired there other than the usual legacy guys whose, father, uncle, brother, etc is a pilot there and can walk them into the Chief Pilot's office. SWA is and has been the best all around performer for decades for very simple reaons. The more you work, the more you make. Excellent management leadership, and saavy executive decisions. Consequently, they have always been tough to get on because so many applicants want to be there. To my knowlege, SWA has never furloughed a pilot. If it happened I missed it. JetBlue, I can't say at the moment, but a buddy of mine that flies for them will be here in a couple of days, and I will get the chance to talk with him then. I applied with them back a few years ago, but took another job before they called me... If I knew then what I know now... oh that famous phrase... I would have gone with them.