Becoming a Captain takes a lot of hard work. With the proper support and ample opportunities for growth, Republic Airways Captain Jay Shah turned a pipedream into a rewarding and successful career. Here is his story.
Captain Shah grew up in India near a small airport. As a kid, he would watch the planes taking off and landing. “In my head I had a vision that I needed to be a part of that,” he remembers. “It was a childhood dream. Even after moving to the U.S. in 2009, it was always in the back of my mind, but I thought it was just a dream.”
It was his sister that pushed him to make that dream come true. “During a vacation to Hawaii, my sister’s flight was delayed. She and her husband spent the delay speaking with some Pilots. They asked about training and the career path to succeed in aviation,” Captain Shah explains. “When they got home, they shared all that information with me. I started with a discovery flight and fell in love with aviation all over again.”
He followed that passion to Delaware State University in Delaware. There, he learned about Republic Airways from an instructor who used to work at Republic. With his instructor’s advice, Captain Shah applied and was accepted into the Republic Cadet program.
Through the Republic Cadet program, Captain Shah was able to work directly with a mentor at Republic. He credits his mentor relationship with putting him on the right path. “My mentor, Brandon, was a Captain. We would speak three or four times a month. He would answer all my questions and help me understand exactly what I needed to do and when I needed to do it.”
Now he shares his own experience and expertise with the next generation. “As a Captain, you have to be a leader. Part of that is helping others succeed. A lot of people supported me when I was on this journey. It’s my duty to pass it forward. It’s my job to pave the way for future Pilots and help them out.”
For Captain Shah, the culture of Republic is what makes the difference. “I always tell my parents, ‘I’m going to work with a smile on my face.’ Proud is an understatement about how I feel here at Republic. It’s like a second family.”
“I’m based in Philadelphia. Everyone knows everyone here.” He has made lifelong friends through Republic and even vacationed with some other Pilots. “They’re not just coworkers. They’re friends.”
“Republic has given me an immense amount of opportunity and I have taken advantage of it. It’s literally a dream come true for me.” Captain Shah looks back and remembers watching the planes as a kid in India. “It’s crazy to think about it. I fly a plane for a living.”
If you’re looking to fly where you can advance your career, become a leader and enjoy a world-class culture, apply to Republic Airways today.