The email

Ever since Jeff was a small boy he has wanted to fly airplanes. The obsession with aviation stems from his father, Larry. His Dad took him to airshows and airports all over Northern California to catch a glimpse of military and civilian jets.

At age 16 his father encouraged him to look into taking flying lessons. Jeff had no problem with that and started taking lessons that summer. On August 1, 1996 at age 16 Jeff soloed in a Cessna 152 piloting the aircraft by himself as his instructor watched from the control tower. When Jeff turned 17 he got his Private Pilot License. With 65 flight hours under his belt his first passenger was, of course, his Dad (who also had to drive them to the airport because Jeff still lacked a drivers license).

Jeff never took a brake from flight training and eventually earned his Flight Instructor Certificate at age 19. He began flight instructing during college and then took a break to go on his mission. Upon returning home he finished his college degree and flight instructed for two more years before finally getting hired at SkyWest Airlines in 2004.

Getting hired at SkyWest was a dream come true for Jeff. His first aircraft was the EMB-120, a 30 passenger turboprop. Later he flew the 50 and 70 seat Canadair Regional Jet and upgraded to Captain. He loved his job but his dream was to fly for a major airline. 

For years Jeff has had his application submitted to several major carriers.  Jeff's first choice was Delta.  He constantly updated his electronic application and scrutinized every word on the very long application. He studied and learned everything he could about the interview process.  Despite his hard work he knew his chances were small.  Each airline has thousands and thousands of qualified applicants.

On March 3, 2014 Jeff checked his email and got the surprise of his life: an email from Delta Air Lines. The subject: "Invitation to interview at Delta Air Lines".  Our jaws dropped.  We were not expecting that. Delta had not hired anyone for the previous three years and had 9,000 applicants. He immediately began to study and prepare for the interview. Every spare moment was spent studying.

Jeff's interview was scheduled for May 15th and 16th.  The interview was a two day process. The first day consisted of a sit down meeting with an HR person and two Delta pilots, a technical knowledge test and a cognitive test. The second day was filled with personality tests and an interview with a psychologist. After the interview process concluded the Manager of Pilot Hiring told Jeff the good news: he was hired as a Delta Air Lines Pilot!

After approximately three years as a student pilot, three years as a Flight Instructor and ten years as a regional airline pilot at SkyWest, Jeff became a major airline pilot at Delta Air Lines. He had nearly 9,000 flight hours.

Jeff finished his training at Delta in September and is now a First Officer on the Airbus A319/320.

Jeff as a kid with his dad at air shows

Jeff at age 17 with his dad.  Jeff had his private pilot's license.

 Jeff at age 18 with his Grandpa Dunbabin. He had just passed his multi-engine checkride.

Jeff at age 19 just after passing his Flight Instructor checkride.

Jeff and his dad after he was hired at SkyWest Airlines

Captain Jeff and family. He had just piloted his final flight at SkyWest Airlines.

Jeff and Jamie in front of a SkyWest CRJ-200

 

 

Delta Air Lines Airbus A319

 

 

Jeff on his first trip at Delta Air Lines