Raskolnikov

Hello all. My background is as a CFI and flying a 172 for a survey company. 1650 TT 50 ME. I passed the ATP oral and made it through 9 sim sessions at a regional CRJ operator (which will remain unnamed)before they asked me to resign. They said I was progressing too slowly for them. There shouldn't be anything on my FAA record since I resigned.

It's a shame really, because I felt I was making progress, have a positive attitude, and was convinced that I could pass the checkride with a couple more sim sessions. I've never failed a checkride before, have very good study habits, and have always done quite well on written exams and in classroom environments.

Part of the problem was the large step-up from the 172 to the CRJ. I know others have succeeded in the past with my background though, and I take ownership of my shortcomings here. I think if another CRJ operator would give me a chance I would breeze through training seeing as I now have a solid understanding of the systems, and know how to learn procedures and flows.

So I'm not sure how to list the past two months on my resume and how to explain it in a job interview. Any suggestions? Anyone know of a regional who would give me a chance after this?

Thanks!

Packrat

You may want to try a 135 freight outfit before your next chop at a regional. Your PRIA record will show "did not finish training" so be up front about in in subsequent interviews.

Honestly, going from a 172 to a jet is a big step. You just weren't ready for it. Try to get some twin turboprop time to ease your transition next time.

stis202

I know guys that washed out of 2 regionals so far and are on their 3rd. Things change when regionals are desperate. You're fine.

Jetty

Don't waste your time and continue applying. They will hire you. Good luck !!

Iron Maiden

My buddy washed out of 3 regionals, was fired from an ATR gig and is now at flying a CRJ. If he can do it, anyone can. I would suggest a turboprop company (Lakes, Silver, Commute Air, Piedmont) as Tprops are a good transition from piston to turbine, and it will give you some good hard IFR time, however the training at some of those can be brutal, especially Lakes.

Learn what you did wrong, take an honest no BS assessment of your training there, and apply it to the next company. Don't ever blame it on the company, especially in an interview.

rickair7777

You will be able to get hired at another regional, your timing is good since they are mostly all desperate.

I would suggest that you consider complete honesty since PRIA will be a requirement for that employer, and it will presumably show that you participated in training.

The bigger issue is how this black mark will affect your employ-ability with a major. Let's get this straight right now: a regional "career" is not an option, if you're thinking you can just stay at a regional may as well just go get a real job now.

That said, you have a reasonable excuse for not completing the training...as others have said it's a big step from 172 to CRJ. But of course many other folks have made that transition successfully so you'll be at a disadvantage compared to others. This will likely delay your progression to a major since their scoring system will dock you for a failure. But you can mitigate the damage by never failing another checkride or training event...most especially 121. Also if you can become a check-airman at your next regional that will help.

Cubdriver

Because there are so many applicants without blemishes to beat for the job? Or is it because majors feel someone who was slow getting up to speed in 121 never will get up to speed?

At any rate this guy should try again assuming he just wants a regional flying job. Some regionals will probably not respond though, I think Envoy is still pretty picky and maybe one or two others.

PearlPilot

I agree with Rick. Come clean and be honest. However, I highly suggest you thoroughly evaluate where things went wrong. Talk to a mentor and seek help if you can. Was it automation/high speed that was overwhelming? If so how can you fix it? What did you learn from that experience and how are you better now? Be prepared to answer some of these questions in your next interview. The regionals are desperate at least now, so yes get back in the horse soon. Continue with that positive attitude. It is very rare nowadays to have a clean record. I know many "great" pilots with checkride busts and incidents/accidents in their records. Sure it hurts the ego, but work hard my friend and you will be fine. Yes there's that big "you may never get hired by a major" argument, but you gotta start somewhere to get there right? It is my suggestion too that a turbo prop company MAY be a better choice...

Raskolnikov

Thanks for the replies. Yes, I'll disclose it for sure. I'm not going to try to hide it. I fell short; I own that.

How would you list this on a resume? Leave it off but disclose in the application process? The resume would look pretty silly if the most recent job listed shows I was in training...

Firing off apps this evening!

rickair7777

It's because their automated screening systems award more points for NOT checking the "checkride failure" box, so you get sorted lower down the list. This automated approach removes any human discretion to account for circumstances prior to the interview.

Several reasons why they might opt to prefer applicants with clean records...

There's a reasonable correlation between past history and future train-ability. It's not just a matter of can you be trained (most can), but rather can you be trained within the allotted time.

Depending on the individual and circumstances, there may or may not be a correlation between training history and pilot ability in the operational environment.

Lastly, an extensive adverse training record will be used as ammo against the company in any lawsuits resulting from an accident. At the very least the media will have a field day (ex Renslow).

A blemished record will require the hiring folks to do some research and make a decision as to whether the blemish(s) is tolerable or not. With a clean record, they can just move on to the next item.