Hello aviators,
My name is Jackson Busbee and I am a senior at Jacksonville University, a part 141 school located in Jacksonville, Florida. I am currently finishing my commercial multi engine rating. My dream is to be a commercial airline pilot. A class that I currently taking called Air Transportation Operations goes over the airline pilots life and what exactly an airline pilot does. As a project we are to have a presentation of an airline that we would like to work for in the future. I aspire to one day work for Hawaiian Airlines (which is what my project is on) and I have lots of questions for pilots who work there. So here are my questions:
Why did you choose Hawaiian Airlines?
What do you love most about the airline? What would you like to see improve?
What sets Hawaiian apart from other carriers?
How/what is the culture of the airline?
What is the safety culture of the airline? Is it visible when you are at work?
Are you apart of a union and if so what are the benefits?
Hello Jackson and welcome,
As the forumâs resident Hawaiian Airlines pilot I guess Iâm best equipped to answer your questions. Some of the questions/answers overlap but Iâll do my best.Here goes:
-
I chose HAL for a number of reasons. First and foremost was I had friends at every Major in the country and most werenât happy. Those I knew at HAL were and Iâm all about the happy. Second I donât any other airline that offers the opportunity to fly Interisland and be home every night AND also offers heavy worldwide widebody experience as well (aka Best of both Worlds). That and donât forget I get to live in Hawaii.
-
What I love best is the company culture. HAL is a smaller airline and everyone knows everyone. Youâre not just a number which I appreciate greatly. If thereâs a problem or concern you can literally walk up to anyone in the companyâs desk *from the Chief Pilot to the CEO) and have a chat. They donât even have offices to encourage an open environment. What I DID feel needed improvement was the training dept. While there were many talented instructors the training was still very traditional in many ways. I say DID because last year we hired a new VP of Training and a promoted a new Director of Flight Standards and Qualification. Together theyâre doing an outstanding job of revamping EVERYTHING and bring the training up to where it should be.
-
As I stated above the fact there are 2 separate operations at the same airline is very unique and I donât believe it exists anywhere else. Also as I said the size and intimacy of the airline makes for better relationships (for the most part).
-
Again the culture is fantastic here IF you like this type of culture. I do know a few pilots who I believe came to the wrong place. They would prefer to be just a number and get lost in the abyss. This is not the place for that. While I canât say I know every single person there are more I know than not and Iâm not just talking flight ops. Maintenance, HR, IT, and the Execs all know me by name and I theirs. Additionally I always felt there was a lot of friction between the work groups at my last carrier. If there was delay there was often a lot of finger pointing vs here where itâs more what do we need to do to remedy the situation. The Reason I believe is the name on the plane. Weâre Hawaiian Airlines and we have one base which is in Hawaiian. The majority of the employees are Hawaiian (though all are welcome) and they take a lot of pride in what they do in that they donât only feel theyâre representing an airline but their people, culture and land.
-
Funny you should ask. Iâm also a CRM facilitator at the airline and one of our modules is titled âJust Cultureâ where we discuss the safety culture at the airline. Whatâs interesting is HAL is the oldest airline in the country and we have employees who have been here for decades. Many before the concept of Just and Safety Culture were developed so obviously it wasnât always that way. I pleased to say itâs changed dramatically but some still harbor old memories and will challenge the concept. Youâll sometimes hear a pilot talk about âa guy who knows a guy whoâs cousinâs brotherâs son was firedâ but Iâve yet to met âthe guyâ in question or anyone who has actually ever been dealt with punitively or harshly.
-
HAL pilots belong to ALPA (the Airline Pilots Assoc, the largest pilot union in the country). Personally Iâve never been a huge fan of unions but I do believe itâs necessary in the industry. The benefits are many. We just signed a new contract which literally just took effect April 1. Itâs the best contract this pilot group has ever seen (CAs top out at $337hr which is pretty good) and I doubt weâd have done as well without Alpaâs help. The union also offers assistance to pilots in many areas including training issues, aeromedical, contract compliance etc. Letâs be honest, Iâm a huge fan of HAL and our mgmt. as well but our CEOâs job is not MY quality of life, itâs to make money for the shareholders (which he does very well). While itâs not personal sometimes mgmt.'s goal of making money competes with my goal of making money and thatâs where the union comes in.
Hope this helps. As you can tell Iâm a fan of Hawaiian Airlines and have been very happy with my decision to become part of the ohana 
Adam
Wow Adam,
That is some great information and absolutely helps! It is great to get your personal opinion and details of HAL. The culture of the airline sounds wonderful and definitely something that I would be interested in several years from now! Iâve always liked being in a smaller setting. My university is pretty small. I have several more questions I would like to ask. Why did you want to be a CRM facilitator? What is your favorite airport to fly into? Should I build my hours on the mainland or on the island? Besides hours, what else stands out in the hiring process?
Jackson
Jackson,
Glad you found the info beneficial. Truth is originally I applied for a Systems Instructor position when I was at ExpressJet. They offered me the job but I discovered the Ground Instructors rarely flew which was unacceptable to me (I never understood how pilots spend a huge amount of time, money and energy getting their ratings and then never fly?). When I declined the position they mentioned there was an opening for a CRM Facilitator and because the wanted their facilitators to have âstreet credâ the alternated a month on and a month off. That sounded appealing plus I had studied Psych and Human Factors so I decided to give it a shot. That was 11yrs ago and I still thoroughly enjoy the classes.
There are many airports I enjoy for a number of reasons but Iâd say my favorite approach is the visual to RWY 8 in PHTO. Itâs a pure visual and you hung the coast with Mauna Kea on your right on the arrival and then just follow the bay around to the runway. Itâs great fun to fly and the view is breath taking.
Your call where to build your hours but keep in mind the opportunities are somewhat limited and even if you find a gig thereâs only so far you can fly in the state. The other aspect I think is huge is you can get much better and diverse experience on the mainland. Itâs awesome that itâs VMC 90% of the time but that doesnât help with your skills. Flying for ExpressJet we flew from Canada to Mexico and everywhere in between. Snow, ice, terrain, busy airports, international ops, you name it. I know quite a few very talented pilots at Hawaiian who literally never flew out of the state. While theyâre great sticks their exposure is somewhat limited.
As I said Hawaiian is really about the culture. Internally recommendations are highly regarded when it comes to getting an interview. Beyond that letâs be honest, everyone who applies will have the qualifications and Hawaiianâs interview is really more HR based. If youâve received an invite itâs safe to say youâre qualified so now its a question of will you âfit inâ. Thereâs no tricks or âgood cop/bad copâ is simply is this someone weâd like to fly with. Be yourself, be honest and youâll be fine.
Adam
Aloha Adam,
I am currently working on my commercial license and it would really be my dream job to fly for Hawaiian Airlines! I was wondering how important is it to have a 4 year college degree to get a job there? The North shore is my home away from home and I do a work trade on an organic farm there and would love to relocate there! So I was going to see what you think someone in my positions best plan of action would be to get a job there? I currently have my private license and a 2 year degree. Ideally I would move to Hawaii ASAP!
Mahalo for any help
Chase,
While all the Majors like a 4yr degree, Hawaiian is a little less rigid on it. If youâve got competitive time and some ties to the islands youâve got a good shot.
Adam
Aloha Adam,
Appreciate the quick response and very helpful! I am hoping to move to the island with my private, instrument, and commercial with 500 hrs. In your opinion what would be a good route to make it to Hawaiian for someone who wants to be based in Hawaii the entire time of possible?
Mahalo
Chase,
Honestly if you want to fly for Hawaiian that wonât be possible. They want to see some solid mainland Regional flying experience which is not available in Hawaii. If Hawaiian is your goal you should plan to spend a couple of years flying for a mainland Regional.
Adam
Aloha Adam,
Just want to say thanks again! This info is helping me decide so much and coming at a very pivotal time in my life. So I have one more question if from my 500 hrs I did about 3 years at a mainland regional then applied to Ohana would that be a possible route to Hawaiian? Also, what do you think about Ohana?
Mahalo Chase
Chase,
Iâve heard and spoken to many Ohana pilots and they all have great things to say.
As for the rest youâll need 1500hrs for a Regional and frankly after 3yrs you could probably apply directly to Hawaiian.
Adam
Adam,
Thanks for all the great info! Hopefully this will go full circle and I will be your first officer on that air bus one day!
Chase
Aloha Adam!
So I was just kidding about only 1 more question I have a few more if you are kind enough to answer? So a little background Iâm 26, about to get my private and have a 2 year degree. My dream would be to fly for Hawaiian number one or really any major as long as Iâm based in Hawaii. Would I have a good shot at making it to that goal without the 4 year degree? Also, would be open to fly for Ohana if necessary but wasnât sure how long someone usually has to work with Ohana before flowing through to Hawaiian? Also, if you go through Ohana for 3 years and transfer to Hawaiian would you come in as year 4 or year one? Just looking for some advice and greatly appreciate any received!
Mahalo
Chase
Chase,
Iâm a little confused as youâre asking the same questions I already answered so please look above.
The only new one was about Ohana.
There is no flow to Hawaiian from Ohana. Theyâre a separate airline and if you were to come to Hawaiian whether you flew for Ohana or not you start year one.
Adam
Ok thanks just in a toss up on either doing the 4 year during fight school or not. Also in regards to Ohana flow to Hawaiian I found this article â Hawaiian Airlines, âOhana by Hawaiian Launching New Pilot Recruitment Program
HONOLULU â Pilots seeking to join Hawaiian Airlines will soon be able to pursue a new recruitment pathway available through the carrierâs âOhana by Hawaiian operation.
Starting this fall, pilots interviewing for a position at âOhana by Hawaiian will have the opportunity to also apply to Hawaiianâs Flow-Through hiring program. Candidates accepted to the program will be able to transition to Hawaiian after flying with âOhana as Empire Airlines pilots in good standing for two years and achieving certain required qualifications. Pilots currently working at âOhana will also be eligible for the Flow-Through program, which will invite applications periodically throughout the year.
âOur Flow-Through program provides âOhana by Hawaiian pilots more opportunities to transition to Hawaiian Airlines while incentivizing pilots to remain in Hawaiâi as they build their flight qualifications,â said Ken Rewick, vice president of flight operations at Hawaiian Airlines. â
Seems ideal for me
Chase,
The âother requirementsâ mean again flying at a mainland Regional prior to flying for Ohana which in many cases rules out the need to go there. It also requires a separate interview so in reality itâs more of a preferential interview.
Adam
Thank you for the insight
Hi Adam,
Iâd like to resurrect this old topic to ask another Hawaiian-related question: Do HAL pilots commute much? HALâs only official domicile is Honolulu, but can you live on the other islands and commute?
Thanks,
Jake
Jake,
Yes you can and many do. The same goes for any airline. The airlines really donât care where you live as long as you show up for work ontime and rested.
Fyi, Hawaiian just announced there will be a CVG cargo only base opening shortly with the possibility of more mainland bases to follow.
Adam
Thanks Adam!