Minimum Requirements

[Aureus]

To those guys in the know, is it possible to get into an airline by just meeting their official minimum requirements? For example, say if one had 1060hr TT and 500 multi, which just meets Virgin's requirements, would they be invited up for an interview? Or would you need way more than that, something like 3000 TT for example? Has anyone actually seen the majors hire individuals with the bare minimums and is this a rarity or a common occurrence? I know that some time back the regionals were hiring low hour pilots but I would like to know if the likes of DJ, JQ, QF and Tiger have done or still do something similar?

Cheers

[flyhigh744]

i had a friend who got in with bare minimums..but he was 23 years old~

[Aureus]

flyhigh744,

Would it be alright if I asked what airline he go into and the type of experience (e.g. regional, instructing, etc) he had before he applied? Being 23 seems quite young to me to get a Direct Entry job offer but congrats on him nonetheless

[eocvictim]

Most of my mates got into VB/Q/JQ during the last peak with very close to mins, and most without any previous turbine or multi crew and min night. All started instructing then moved into multi charter/RPT/bank running. They were all around 25-28. As for age, I had airline mins/ATPL at 22.

[PegasusFury99]

Ab initio F/Os in Europe are often straight from Flight school - 250-300hrs TT. Some did their Multi-engine training on a Diamond 4 seat.
Age - well just starting to use a razor.
AND - the cabin crew age - 19/20/21. Purser after two seasons - so age 23.

Only one grey haired (but not always) up front. One flight I noticed last summer - the whole crew were under 30. Holiday charter to the Canary Is in a shiny new 737-800:ok:

[Capt Mo]

I think it depends on the talent available in the pool of applications.

If they need people, they will take the most competitive, whether that be based solely on experience or a variety of merits.

At this stage with a large surpluss of experienced pilots in GA and regional airlines, with turbine experience and most with well in excess of 500 multi, I can't imagine that someone with the bare minimums would get the first look in - you may get a call, perhaps you have a quality that they are impressed with, but if you don't, just keep getting experience and keep updating the application.

If you meet the minimum requirements, why not - you might as well throw your name in the pile, who knows what will come of it. But don't be dissapointed if it doesn't happen just yet. Be patient and things will happen when theyre meant to.

Mo :ok: