Porter Airlines - when to apply?

[pilot45]

Hello everyone,

I am new to this forum so apologies in advance if this question has already been asked (though I did read through several existing threads and didn't see anything...).

I am interested in applying for the E2 DEC job posted on Porter's website. However, I am committed to my current employer (not an airline) for another ~2 years. As such, I am wondering when would be the appropriate time to apply? On one hand, I don't want to miss the DEC hiring window that is now open but, on the other hand, I certainly understand that the company may be put off by someone who applies, interviews, and then is unable to accept an immediate job offer. And I don't want to waste anyone's time either! Does anyone know if there is any value in applying this early (and making the limitations known)...e.g. any chance of going through the application process and being put in a "hire/train later" pool? Or, if it's better to wait, when would be the best time to apply?...e.g. 6 months before my current contract ends, 3 months, etc?

Thanks very much in advance. Any insight would be greatly appreciated!

[jpilot77]

2 years is a long time for a lot of things to happen. I’m guessing 3 months out would be reasonable, 2 years isn’t.

[LR200]

I’m pretty sure they haven’t even gotten half of their current order for the E2s. Unless god forbid a serious crash in the economy happens, I don’t think hiring will stop any time soon. Even if they fulfill their quota for pilots in ground school classes, I’m sure some will leave for other airlines. I’ve seen on some threads where hiring can be incredibly quick (within a month) so maybe 3 months from your bond would be an appropriate time to apply.

[fliter]

Yeah, definitely don't apply two years out.

Unless you're considering paying off the bond and leaving your current employer sooner. It may make financial sense, depending on what you're paid now.

[pilot45]

Thanks so much for the insight, everyone. That all makes perfect sense to me and it is kind of what I was thinking -- just needed that sanity check! As a longshot, I was also wondering if, by chance, the company had some sort of hire-and-defer program (immediate furlough/leave of absence) if the right candidate came along but, unsurprisingly, it doesn't sound like it. Oh well, more time to polish my resume! And, like LR200 said, it sounds like the taps will be open for quite some time (hopefully another 2 years).

[Chaxterium]

I’m pretty sure they haven’t even gotten half of their current order for the E2s.

We have 29 delivered out of 75 firm orders. So we're barely a third of the way through the firm orders and barely a quarter of the way if you include the 25 additional options. Which everyone says is simply a formality.

[CaptDukeNukem]

Don’t apply if you can’t take the job. Jeez. What world are we living in.

[pilot45]

Don’t apply if you can’t take the job. Jeez. What world are we living in.

Yes, of course. I was simply trying to gauge how long of a process it is from job application to training. If there happened to be a huge backlog, I'd apply early. If not, I'll wait. Thanks though.

[Chaxterium]

Yes, of course. I was simply trying to gauge how long of a process it is from job application to training. If there happened to be a huge backlog, I'd apply early. If not, I'll wait. Thanks though.

I was hired as a Direct Entry Captain so that changes things a bit. But to give you an idea of a timeline, I submitted my application on a Tuesday and I had an interview on the Thursday. It would have been Wednesday but I was working that day.

At the end of the 30 minute interview I was offered the job and they asked if they could put me in the next ground school in two weeks. I asked to be placed in the ground school following that one as I wanted to give my current employer more than two weeks' notice.

So in short, depending on their needs it can happen very quickly. So my advice would be to not apply until you can accept the job within 2-8 weeks.

[cdnavater]

Don’t apply if you can’t take the job. Jeez. What world are we living in.

Yes, of course. I was simply trying to gauge how long of a process it is from job application to training. If there happened to be a huge backlog, I'd apply early. If not, I'll wait. Thanks though.

Honestly, trying to gauge the situation now for two years from now!
If you’ve been in aviation for a year, you would know that asking how early to apply two years from now is moot, I would think you genuinely didn’t think the process was going to take 20-23 months. I would also think you would know that if you interviewed today for a job you can’t take for two years they would tell you will need to do the process over again.
This is common sense, it’s also common sense to realize no one is hiring you now and giving a leave of absence to go fly somewhere else for two years.
What’s the hold up, some kind of crazy bond? If that’s the case, tell Porter you can come over now if they buy out your bond?

[pilot45]

Yes, of course. I was simply trying to gauge how long of a process it is from job application to training. If there happened to be a huge backlog, I'd apply early. If not, I'll wait. Thanks though.

So in short, depending on their needs it can happen very quickly. So my advice would be to not apply until you can accept the job within 2-8 weeks.

Thanks very much! That's exactly what I was looking for. I appreciate your advice.