Hello everybody,I have been thinking lately about the cadet training at airlines. Nowadays its very competitive to be the best and get the job. First off I would like to know the process of applying for an airline. I think it goesapplicationinterview (if application is accepted)trainingfirst jobBut anyway my main concern was how to be the most "senior" applicant of the cadets. I here it goes like the one with the best scores etc gets first choice e.g which routes, which planes etc. Thats what everyone wants including me which I would like to place myself there. What would the best way to achieve that be? My grades are good, I spend my free time learning about flying airliners and procedures (thanks PMDG for the great products, they really help me) What else can I do? Can some pilot tell me about their previous experiences regarding this topic along with any advises? Thanks everybody and hope to see you guys in the happy skies someday :D

Try gaining a more rounded experience and not just focusing on flying, that's somthing we noticed in our cadet scheme this year, that many of the applicants were really into flying and knew lots about it, but just we're not rounded people with different interests.Capt. Rónán O cadhain.

Try gaining a more rounded experience and not just focusing on flying,

Yeah, at least girls, fast cars and booze, right? More seriously, which country are you from? (I guess Holland but can you confirm?). Also I must admit I don't understand your point about choice of aircraft or routes. Do you mean after graduation?BrunoPS : I am NOT a commercial pilot but I am sure some of the RW pilots in this forum (including Rónán of course can help you on this matter.

A willingness to understand the other groups doesn't hurt, either. Having experience as a rampie, or a ticketing agent, customer service, dispatch and so on could help you understand the flipsides of the coin (/16-sided die) and work better with them. Basically, find how your life's experience can help you be a better pilot.Talking shop, and having my own run at Air Traffic Control also helped me understand why we, as pilots, need to do X, Y, and Z. Because of that, I can operate more efficiently with controllers to get both of our jobs done.As I always say:Experience in numbers isn't as important as the quality of the experience.[disclaimer: I'm not saying hours are worthless, but if you've flown thousands of hours in a weatherless void, someone else with fewer hours and more time in the soup may actually be better equipped]

Try gaining a more rounded experience and not just focusing on flying, that's somthing we noticed in our cadet scheme this year, that many of the applicants were really into flying and knew lots about it, but just we're not rounded people with different interests.Capt. Rónán O cadhain.

So what kind of person are you after at training?

Here in the USA it's who you get to know also.. Early on I was lucky enough to meet and get to know airline pilots who happily gave me letters of recommendation which you need here.. Went to job fairs well before I had even enough minimum multi time just to be a pest and show interest.. A sense of humor is a must also..

A sense of humor is a must also..

Couldn't agree with you more, of late all the pilot applicants we've been getting have been personality-less drones all singing off the same SOP hymn sheet, We'll teach you the SOPs, don't worry about letting us know that you know them, if you don't we can teach you, if you do, then your about 3 days ahead of everyone on the course, not much of an advantage, eh? Show us who YOU are and not the mindless robot that you think we want to see. Drones are no fun to fly with, trust me, I know....

So what kind of person are you after at training?

No comment. Aer Lingus plc is an equal opportunities employer. Any advice given by me on this forum is provided for general job applicants and is in no way related to the admissions process into Aer Lingus.Sorry if I come across as a bit distant, but nowadays, if people don't get their way, they sue and heads roll, and I sure as hell ain't gonna be one of them heads a rollin'...

Couldn't agree with you more, of late all the pilot applicants we've been getting have been personality-less drones all singing off the same SOP hymn sheet, We'll teach you the SOPs, don't worry about letting us know that you know them, if you don't we can teach you, if you do, then your about 3 days ahead of everyone on the course, not much of an advantage, eh? Show us who YOU are and not the mindless robot that you think we want to see. Drones are no fun to fly with, trust me, I know....

Exactly, just keep your mouth closed, and prepare as much as you can for the initial sim ride and just do the best you can when they throw some curve balls at ya.Rónán , do you need to have a type rating at Aer Lingus or just acquire after you're hired?

Rónán , do you need to have a type rating at Aer Lingus or just acquire after you're hired?

No, we'll give you one, but applications aren't open ATM.

Exactly, just keep your mouth closed, and prepare as much as you can for the initial sim ride and just do the best you can when they throw some curve balls at ya.

Urm, I think you got the exact opposite message of the one I was trying to put across, you shouldn't keep your mouth closed and instead you should let us know about who you are.Rónán.

No, we'll give you one, but applications aren't open ATM.Urm, I think you got the exact opposite message of the one I was trying to put across, you shouldn't keep your mouth closed and instead you should let us know about who you are.Rónán.

I know what you meant, I was referring to your SOP hymn sheet and drone reference..

Im starting duke of Edinburgh (something that is done at schools in the UK incase nobody knows, http://www.dofe.org/) and Im very sure not only its going to look good on my collage application but my pilot application. Can someone from the UK confirm that this would look good on pilot forms

Im starting duke of Edinburgh (something that is done at schools in the UK incase nobody knows, http://www.dofe.org/) and Im very sure not only its going to look good on my collage application but my pilot application. Can someone from the UK confirm that this would look good on pilot forms

Hi.I spend a lot of time messing about in the hills. A lot of my friends are involved in care work, personal development and other education programs and I've been involved informally with D of E through them for a long time. I'm certain it will be a bonus. It gives prospective employers a quick way to see (before they meet you) that you get on well with people, can work as a member of a small close team, and that you can think for yourself. If you can get the silver & gold onto your CV you'll be much more likely to get an interview. If you are at the right age (as I suppose you must be if you're doing D of E) consider joining the local Air Cadets too.D

Cheers, Im in year 9 right now but will start the practice some time next year. My form tutor of the class is arranging something with the head of D of E so we can start early and get gold award quicker.

Try gaining a more rounded experience and not just focusing on flying, that's somthing we noticed in our cadet scheme this year, that many of the applicants were really into flying and knew lots about it, but just we're not rounded people with different interests.Capt. Rónán O cadhain.

Cheers mate, Can you choose which types of planes to fly? When you send you application do you send it to the fleet chief of the type you want to fly or the airline the. Do they ask you? Also how many people on average are at the cadet training centre

Cheers mate,Can you choose which types of planes to fly? When you send you application do you send it to the fleet chief of the type you want to fly or the airline the. Do they ask you? Also how many people on average are at the cadet training centre

Cadet scheme is closed till next year. Application is done through an internet form. No direct entry F/Os or DEC at this moment. Fleet is by seniority with the A330 being the most senior. 20 cadets per year and we pay 75% of training costs. Typically it takes about 6-9 years to get onto the A330 as an F/O.Capt. Rónán O Cadhain.