For Pilots Only: May 11, 2024

Connecting the Dots

If you've been keeping an ear to the ground in the aviation world, you might have caught wind of some interesting things going on in cockpits these days.

Just take a look at this recently reported “incident” between a United pilot and a Southwest crew.

Several news sources allege, that the United pilot, a recent hire from a regional carrier, was jump seating on a Southwest flight and noticed the first officer (also a new hire) using speed brakes without flaps. The jump seater supposedly recommended adding flaps, the captain corrected the issue, and the flight landed without incident.

Sounds like a minor thing, right?

Well, that’s where things get interesting.

After the flight, numerous news sources say the jump seater allegedly took it upon herself to report the Southwest crew to the FAA's safety hotline. And, according to these sources, that did not sit well with the Southwest captain or the pilots' union.

Now, it appears this reported news has several inaccuracies and the story may not even be completely true! But that’s not the important thing to pay attention to.

The important thing to pay attention to is where actual pilots are repeatedly falling into traps that are creating serious problems for their careers.

Because it tells you everything you need to know about what’s going on, and what’s about to go on when it comes to the careers of many many aviators.

As airlines have continually readjusted their hiring standards to meet demand, they've brought in a lot of pilots who are having problems adjusting to the expectations of flying for an airline.

And now, they're dealing with the consequences in the form of training failures, competency issues, and interpersonal conflicts.

Need proof of this?

Here it is.

A buddy of mine over at Delta recently dropped a telling nugget.

He told me that the average flight time for new hires has skyrocketed from 3,300 hours to nearly 4,000 hours. And get this – the average age of these new hires? It's now sitting at a ripe 38 years old, and it's only climbing.

Now, you might be thinking, "Okay, James, so what? Airlines are hiring more experienced pilots. What's the big deal?" Well, buckle up, because there's more to this story than meets the eye.

You see, it's not just Delta that's seeing these changes. Across the board, both major and regional airlines are dealing with a surge in "training review boards." In plain English, that means more and more pilots are struggling to make it through the training process.

Flows, profiles, callouts, descent planning, automation usage, systems knowledge, getting along with sim partners, and passing Line Operational Evaluations (LOE) designed to simulate typical flight operations from takeoff to landing are the typical culprits right now.

But it doesn't stop there. Once these pilots do make it out of the simulator and into the cockpit, they're requiring additional IOE (initial operating experience) hours. And even when they finally get qualified, their fellow pilots are increasingly raising concerns about proficiency and competency.

So, what does all this mean?

It means that airlines are scrambling to find solutions, and one of those solutions is to raise the bar for new hires.

They're looking for pilots with more life experience, better soft skills, and stronger social abilities. Because at the end of the day, they want pilots who can not only fly the plane but also work well with others and handle the pressures of the job.

This isn't just a matter of airlines being picky.

It's a direct response to the problems they've been facing with training failures, competency issues, and interpersonal conflicts among pilots.

The game is changing folks...

And you need to adapt if you want to stay competitive.

If you're getting ready to apply for a job or upgrade, you need to be prepared to sell yourself not just as a skilled pilot but as a true professional. That means highlighting your problem-solving abilities, your communication skills, and your emotional intelligence. It means showing that you're not just a stick and rudder pilot but a leader and a team player.

And if you're writing a letter of recommendation for a fellow pilot, the same rules apply. Don't just focus on their flight hours and technical skills. Talk about their judgment, their decision-making, their ability to work well with others. Because at the end of the day, that's what airlines are looking for – pilots who can not only fly the plane but also represent the company with professionalism and integrity.

If you're a low-time pilot, that means building your hours strategically. Look for opportunities to fly in challenging environments, learn the 3-to-1 and groundspeed times 5 rules, get a hold of flows, profiles, and callouts, start beefing up on electrical, fuel, hydraulic, and pneumatic systems, work with diverse crews, and take on leadership roles. And don't neglect your soft skills – work on your communication, your emotional intelligence, your ability to handle stress and conflict.

If you're a military pilot transitioning to the civilian world, start learning the airline language and leverage your unique experiences and training. Highlight your leadership abilities, your adaptability, and your cool head under pressure. Show airlines that you have what it takes to succeed in their world, even if you don't have thousands of 121 hours.

And if you're a regional pilot looking to make the jump to a major, don't just sit back and wait for an interview. Be proactive. Attend job fairs, network with recruiters, and most importantly, focus on being the best pilot and crew member you can be. Because when that opportunity does come knocking, you want to be ready to answer the door.

Now, I know some of you might be feeling discouraged by all this.

You might be thinking, "I'll never be able to compete with pilots who have 4, 5, or 6 thousand hours and decades of life experience." But here's the thing – you don't have to be perfect to be competitive. You just have to be willing to put in the work and focus on the right things.

So, keep your head up, keep pushing forward, and never stop learning and growing. Because with the right mindset and the right preparation, there's no limit to how high you can fly.

And remember – if you ever need help navigating these choppy skies, the team here at Raven is always in your corner.

Whether you need help polishing your resume, prepping for an interview, or just want some straight talk and tough love, we've got your back.

Click here to schedule a free 1-on-1 strategy session.

Fly safe, fly smart, and be kind to fellow pilots on the internet. We are all real people who deserve the benefit of the doubt until all the facts come out.

James

2024 Job Fair/Industry Expos