Overcoming Failure – The Airline Frozen Period

Introduction:

"I received a frozen period after my rejection in the airline interview and selection process, what can I do?"

If you've received a frozen period from an airline, you're not alone. While disappointing, this is an opportunity to improve and come back stronger. Here's how to navigate this setback and turn it into your comeback story.

Step 1: Take a Deep Breath and Clear Your Negative Emotions

We understand this is disappointing, and there will be negative emotions such as sadness, disappointment, anxiety, frustration, and fear. We encourage you to first take some time off to calm yourself, as negative emotions will interfere with your thinking.

Remember: emotions affect your judgment and decision-making as a pilot. Most importantly, try to keep anger out of mind—this is the most dangerous of all emotions.

After you have released all the negative emotions, it's time to get back to work. The less time you spend recovering from the failure emotionally, the more time you can spend improving yourself to become an airline pilot.

Step 2: Understand the Reasoning Behind the Airline Frozen Period

Many airlines use frozen periods for the cadet program, but also for professional direct entry first officers and direct entry captains. The purpose? To give aspiring pilots an opportunity to improve and then re-apply at a later date or time in their career.

The key is to show great improvement and to address and fix the causes of failure.

Step 3: The Process of Fixing an Airline Frozen Period

1. Understand your motivation – Why did you want to apply, and do you still want to apply to this airline cadet pilot program? Do you still want to become a commercial airline pilot?

2. Understand the cause of failure – Self-assess and seek advice from credible sources such as reaching out to experienced pilots and cadets.

3. Take steps to fix the causes of failure – This process varies in length and depends on your individual case.

4. Reapply to the airline cadet pilot program when you have addressed the issues of failure.

In Summary

Your ability to overcome failure, take targeted actions to improve in a timely manner, and to reapply again shows your commitment to the airline and demonstrates your ability to overcome setbacks.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many times can I apply after rejection in the airline selection process?

Depending on the individual airline policy, a candidate may reapply multiple times to an airline, while some airlines only offer one or two chances to apply to the cadet pilot program.

Can I contact the airline to ask for feedback after a rejection?

While the intention is good, the airline receives thousands of applications. Therefore, it is not practical for the airline to give feedback in your individual case when they have thousands of other applications. Take this opportunity to do the work—know thyself.

Ready to Turn Your Frozen Period Into Your Comeback?

If you would like to learn the keys to success for overcoming failure of a frozen period in the pilot interview and selection process, we dive deeper into self-assessment in the Aspiring Cadet Pilot Handbook. As always, you may contact us to learn more.