Why are the odds so low?
I keep reading statistics that only 1/4 of those with an EASA/CAA fATPL are able to get a job - but I can't really understand why this stat in europe is so low and I'm curious what you guys say. In America, Airlines will happily hire CFIs who have 1500+ hours in a 172 (only) and put them through a type rating course with a success rate greater than 90%.
Yet in Europe you have 250+ hours - passing all the skills test and have passed all the ATPL exams, which I hear are notoriously difficult, yet 75% are 'unhirable'. Are the skills tests in europe that easy? I can appreciate that some people 'slip through the cracks' but what's causing 50%+ to fail to secure a job? You can't be incompenent, yet pass the skills test and ATPL exams. Is it because 50% have poor interview skills or don't prepare for the assessment? Too many repeats of exams? what's the tell tell sign of this kind of student?
I'd assume (please correct me if I'm wrong) that getting fATPL shows a higher level of (atleast) academic ability than getting a FAA Commerical License and that an additional 1300 hours of pattern flying or banner towing doesn't prove you'd be any better at flying an airliner - yet the latter seems to have a higher success rate.