Why United Airlines’ CEO hires people only if they can go on a 4-day vacation with his pilots

The most seasoned CEOs, those who have themselves spent decades ascending the corporate ladder, often develop a keen eye for talent. Over time, these leaders realize that while credentials might get you through the door, it's the kind of person you are that helps you in the long run. That's why many higher-ups develop their own tests to strip away the rehearsed corporate persona, but only a few techniques are more unique than that of United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby, which came to light during a short snippet of his candid conversation with McKinsey and Company on April 7.

One secret 'ask'

In the interview, Kirby revealed his secret trick for hiring new employees. "I asked our head of flight operations to select a dozen of our pilots who were well-liked by everyone," he said. "I told this group of pilots, ‘Your job is just to assess: Is this interviewee someone I would like to take a four-day trip with? And if you say no, then they’re out. You get a veto vote.’" The idea behind this was simple: to pick people who care about others and who you want to be with. 

Vibes supercede other 'requirements'

While hiring at United Airlines remains similar to most other airlines, this is somewhat of a vibe test to help them to separate the best talent from the rest of the pack. This helps him and the rest of the staff understand how the new hires will do in the real environment and whether they possess the chemistry and temperament needed for the job. It goes to prove that sometimes the best way to vet a professional is to see how they handle being a person. 

The world beyond a 'degree'

Kirby further pointed out that this business remains one of the few in this day and age that doesn't require a college degree and allows a person to earn in six figures. Yet another reason for him to pick the right people, as he believes that if the person is right, they can be trained for the job after being hired. Nonetheless, that doesn't make things any easier, as data reveals that getting a job at United Airlines is quite tough because of the competition. 

According to Kirby himself, whenever the company opens flight attendant hirings for 3,000 positions within hours, they receive about 75,000 applications. This means that nearly one in 25 people, or just 4% of the applicants, will be selected. This is quite competitive, but given the current job market, it's perhaps not the worst. 

Still, it seems like a few people aren't convinced by Kirby's ways of identifying the best talent across the board. "What about the best pilot? That person is in charge of getting everyone safely to their destination," @kimberlygriffin_ wrote. Meanwhile, @oscarofbarcelona differed, saying, "You can train a good human to be a good pilot; the other way around is very difficult." At the same time, @karichards1120 lauded Kirby for his thinking and work as the CEO of United Airlines, commenting, "Love this CEO; he's changing United to be an outstanding airline."

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