I don't care if you're applying to United Delta American.
I don't care if you go to Netjets or FlexJet or one of the regionals.
All the hiring is dictated by what happens at United, Delta, and American.
Because as they hire more pilots, they pull more people out of the military.
The pull more people up from the regionals.
And they pull more people out of corporate.
This, in turn, opens up a ton of opportunities for folks just coming into the industry who need a place to start.
But here's the thing—when the majors slow down hiring, it creates a ripple effect that touches every aspect of the industry. And that's exactly what we've been seeing lately.
The game has changed with the majors slowing down and the regionals struggling to find those coveted direct-entry captains.
And that, my friends, is why we're seeing rotary transition pilots and 1,500-hour CFIs waiting by the phone, wondering when their opportunity will come knocking.
But here's the good news – it's not a demand issue.
People are itching to travel, and the airlines are ready to accommodate them.
The challenge is filling those regional captain seats so the FOs can slide into place and keep the operation running smoothly.
And let's not forget about the retirement wave on the horizon.
American's retirements are set to peak in 2025 at around 950, while United's will crest in 2028 at about 730. Those numbers might seem daunting, but they're actually a beacon of hope for pilots looking to land their dream job.
So, if you're feeling anxious about your hiring prospects, take a deep breath and repeat after me:
This is not a crisis. It's a competition.
This is not a crisis. It's a competition.
This is not a crisis. It's a competition.
This is not a crisis. It's a competition.
Thinking about applying to an airline or applying to another one. Let's talk about it. Schedule a free strategy call via the link under my profile.
Fly safe
James
#hr #recruiters #careers #recruitment #pilotjobs #aviation #careercoach #jobsearch #resume #airlines #businessaviation
