A Recap: Launching Your Airline Career as a PSA Cadet

Last week, LIVE Aero Club had the privilege of hosting PSA Airlines, a U.S. wholly owned regional of American Airlines.

And this was no small get-together, either. Over 80 guests showed up, making it one of our most highly-attended events.

PSA was represented by Cadet Recruiters and Mentors, who flew in from the East Coast to talk about their Cadet Program. This was followed by a resourceful Q&A session and one-on-one questions with guests.

While a lot was covered over the course of 2+ hours, here’s my personal debrief of the event and what stuck out the most about PSA’s Cadet Program.

Eligibility

You’re eligible to apply once you get your Private Pilot License (PPL), that’s it! Applying is also very straightforward, just simply follow the steps at psaairlines.com/cadets.

Competition

“It’s not super competitive, it’s ultra competitive.” Those words were verbatim from our PSA visitors, and it paints a very accurate picture for just how intense the competition is for a select amount of Pilot and Cadet positions at the regional airlines.

And at PSA, there are over 8,000 applications on file. This means it can take several months, potentially over a year, to hear back after you submit your application.

But don’t get discouraged. While you can’t directly control how quickly the airline gets back to you, regularly updating your PSA Cadet application is one way to show your continued interest. Keep updating your hours, certificates, ratings, and other valuable experience.

Multi-Step Interview Process

PSA Cadet applications of interest are initially pulled and screened for a 30-minute HR interview, and this is really just for the hiring team to get to know you. They’ll ask you around 5-7 questions to help paint a picture for who you are as a person, so it’s important to portray yourself in a way that’s both authentic and professional.

If you haven’t already, this is a great time in the Cadet application process to familiarize yourself with the airline (hint: their purpose, vision, and mission). Do some self-reflection on who you are and why PSA could be a fantastic fit for you in your aviation journey.

After completing the Instrument and Commercial phases of training, PSA Cadets then participate in a technical interview. Cadets have access to several resources that can help set them up for success… more to follow below.

Why join PSA’s Cadet Program?

• No commitment: There’s no restrictions on joining other airline’s cadet programs, and there’s no penalty if a Cadet decides to not join PSA as a First Officer.

• Mentorship access: Once a Cadet, you’re assigned a mentor. This is a PSA pilot who volunteers their time and effort to your aviation journey and eventual transition to PSA. And the mentorship works… over 300 First Officers hired last year were Cadets. New hire Cadets also have around a 95% pass rate during initial training.

• Class date priority: Wait times for Cadets are only around 3-4 months at the moment, while “off-the-street” hires typically wait much longer.

• PSA travel benefits: Cadets who reach Senior Cadet status can start taking advantage of the same flight benefits that PSA employees have.

• Tuition assistance: While there’s a backlog of applicants, Cadets can be eligible for up to $15k in tuition assistance towards flight training.

Final Thoughts

If you’re eligible, a cadet program like PSA’s should definitely be on your radar. Getting a head start and applying to cadet programs now, even if you’re a newly-minted Private Pilot, can pay dividends down the road and set yourself up for success transitioning to the airlines.

And no matter the stage of the cadet hiring process you’re in, you’re not alone. For some, it’s tailoring your resume so it portrays your story. For others, it may be getting that extra boost of confidence needed for their upcoming interview. 

No matter what it is, feel free to reach out and see how we can help you become the aviator you and your loved ones want you to be!

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If you’ve made it this far, thanks for reading! I’d love to hear your thoughts—drop a comment and follow the blog. Follow @liveaeroclub on Instagram to stay updated on our career mentorships, events, and workshops. Safe flying!