United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby has implemented a novel hiring practice where a select group of popular pilots are given veto power over job candidates based on personal compatibility. The initiative, detailed in an interview with McKinsey chief Bob Sternfels published in early April, aims to assess whether potential hires are a good cultural fit for the airline.
Kirby instructed the head of flight operations to identify a dozen pilots who are "well-liked by everyone." These chosen pilots then accompany candidates during their interview process, walking them around the building, having lunch with them, and escorting them to interviews.
The 'Veto Vote' for Cultural Fit
"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,'" Kirby stated. He emphasised the goal is to select people who care about others and whom colleagues would want to spend extended time with.
A United Airlines spokesperson confirmed to Business Insider that this practice is one component of a broader pilot hiring process, which also includes the rigorous standards set by United and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
High Stakes in Competitive Hiring
While assessing cultural fit is common in corporate hiring, the stakes are particularly high for flight crews who can spend consecutive days working closely together on multi-day trips. The process also addresses the intense competition for roles at the airline.
Kirby noted that when United lists openings for 2,000 to 3,000 flight attendant positions, the company can receive 75,000 applications within a couple of hours. "So for us, the question is: How do you find people who have the right mentality and customer service attitude?" he said. "We can train them to do the jobs, but how do you build a process to pick the right people and keep them excited?"
Context and Company Scale
As of December 2025, United Airlines employed approximately 113,200 people, according to company financials, following several years of headcount growth. The airline's focus on selective hiring comes amid this expansion and the ongoing challenge of maintaining a cohesive and service-oriented workforce.