United Airlines is starting a big pilot recruitment drive, with the goal of hiring 10,000 captains over the next decade.
It is a key undertaking for the airline as nearly half of the current 12,500 pilots are due to retire over the next ten years.
It unveiled the ‘Aviate’ recruitment program which it describes as the ‘most direct path to flying for United.’
"It is the quickest progression from college to the rank of first officer of any major airline program in the industry," United says.
Commercial airline pilot training and attaining the minimum 1,500 flight training hours can set back an aspiring aviator as much as $100,000.
"One of the big barriers to get into the profession is the cost of getting their certification," said Bryan Quigley, United’s SVP of flight operations.
Quigley said that United is exploring incentive options such as loan guarantees.
The prohibitive cost is arguably the main reason why dozens of airlines worldwide are experiencing pilot shortages.
The major US airlines have rolled out similar programs to capture more candidates.
