Is it hard to get a job at American Airlines?

The competition for flight crew jobs can be fierce. After all, it's not just the chance to travel the world that motivates many to apply for a job at American Airlines; it's also their reputation as one of the best places to work and their impressive wages and benefits.

An American Airlines pilot, for example, earns an average of $107,343 a year, which is 24% higher than the national average. It's not just the flight crew who earns more; they also pay higher for their grounded positions as well.

For example, the average American Airlines Human Resources Specialist's yearly pay in the United States is approximately $99,000, which is 97% above the national average.

Regardless of the position, American Airlines is known for having a very rigorous hiring process. They use a three-step, formal interview process. First is a video interview, then an in-person interview with very difficult questions, and then finally a performing interview where applicants complete tasks and the panelists judge how they perform as an individual and in a team of six.

Once hired, many candidates must then successfully complete an intensive training process that includes a fast-paced classroom with hands-on training that takes approximately six weeks, depending on the field.

For instance, if you are hired as an American Airlines flight attendant, you must first undergo a seven-week rigorous training program that includes practical and written exams. In fact, only 60% of flight attendants make it through the training and end up going on to work as flight attendants.