In this episode, Nik Fialka gets an exclusive interview with Alan Johnson, VP of Operations, and Dina Payne, Senior Manager of Pilot Hiring at American Airlines, for a conversation centered on the AA hiring process—packed with insights valuable to anyone pursuing a career at a major airline.

Together, they walk through what makes a standout application and resume, how to show up prepared for your interview, and what to expect during training once you're hired. They also dive into why professionalism, attitude, and cultural fit matter just as much as flight time—and how every interaction with the company can influence your path. Whether you're just getting started or looking to move up to a legacy carrier, this episode offers practical advice straight from the decision-makers at American Airlines.

What You'll Learn:

What American Airlines looks for in pilot candidates beyond flight hours

How to build a clean, complete application that gets noticed

Common resume mistakes and how to avoid them

Why professional presence and preparation matter at conferences and interviews

What the training pipeline looks like once you're hired

The role of servant leadership in the cockpit and on the ramp

How authenticity and attitude play into hiring decisions

Why culture and character matter just as much as qualifications

How American's values—Safety, Care, Dependability, Efficiency—guide everything they do

CONNECT WITH US

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If you want to recommend someone to guest on the show, email Nik at [email protected], and if you need a professional pilot resume, go to www.spitfireelite.com/podcast/ for FREE templates!

SPONSOR

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