Getting Hired by an Airline

When it comes to job interviews I always tell myself that it has to be a good fit for both parties. The interview isn't just about the company trying to see if you're a right fit for the job, it's also about you trying to see if this company, job, schedule and work environment is the right fit for you too.

When you get hired on by an airline you immediately enter into this ladder of seniority that determines your schedule, where you're based and how much you're paid. So when you commit to an airline you want to make sure you've made the most informed choice possible because if you decide in a year or two that you want to switch companies, you start all over.

We researched every single airline listed on airlinepilotcentral.com (which I highly recommend and still consult weekly). You can view pay rates, if they're currently hiring and what their requirements are, how many airplanes they have of each type and where all of their bases are. The list of bases was the top priority that determined which airline was going to be the best one for our family.

When DH had his final interview with the airline of his dreams we were still living in Phoenix. We had been there about a year longer than I had planned and I was doing my best not to get my hopes up. I was in Seattle staying at my parent's house, working and helping out with the family business while my sister-in-law was on maternity leave. DH and I had decided not to tell anyone about his interview in our efforts to keep the pressure off of him.

The day my nephew was born was also the day DH found out he had been hired. He didn't want to tell me over the phone and made me wait until we could Skype that evening. I was exhausted from being at the hospital all day but quickly found myself bouncing with excitement and unable to go to sleep. My mom stayed at the hospital overnight to help out with the baby and came home the next morning emotionally exhausted and confused as to why I was beaming and could not sit still. I'll never forget the moment I told my mom we were finally coming home, for good.