Reworking recruiting guidelines To stock up on pilots, airlines are making it easier to get hired and expanding the talent pool. Commercial flying, once almost exclusively the domain of while males, is opening to women and minorities as airlines actively recruit them. Delta recently revoked a nepotism clause that barred family members from working for the airline at the same time. That opens the way for a father and daughter, for example, to both work as pilots for the carrier. TWA no longer requires its pilots to hold a college degree.
Some airlines now allow pilots to wear contact lenses or glasses.
Airlines also are requiring less hours of flying for new hires, reasoning that newcomers who have spent more time in computerized simulators than their older peers will not compromise safety in real-life situations. Universities that offer aviation degrees say their enrollments also are up, adding depth to the pilot talent pool. For his part, Witson says he's ready to fly. In four years, when he's 40, Witson says, he'll have enough experience to get a job with a major airline, where he plans to stay until he's 60 and more new pilots flock to take his place. Pages will open in a new browser window External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.