737 v. MD80 type/HPA v. CPT
06-25-2015, 03:23 AM
#1
Gets Weekends Off
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Joined APC: Nov 2014
Posts: 121
737 v. MD80 type/HPA v. CPT
Hello,
I am trying to decide between getting a MD-80 type at Higher Power or a 737 rating at CPT in Miami.
I am using the GI Bill, I have over 7K in flight time (5K fixed wing) with no jet time so I am trying to demonstrate I can fly jets for any potential employer. (I retire from the Army early next year)
I am not considering the 737 NG course at HPA because they are charging 15K. MD-80 is $9500, 737-200 course at CPT is $8000.
Airline cost/drive to Miami/DFW is about the same from my home. Hotel in Miami is about $450 more expensive ($1000 v $1450).
I am leaning towards Miami and CPT but I wanted get some of your opinions.
Thanks for any insight you can provide!
I am trying to decide between getting a MD-80 type at Higher Power or a 737 rating at CPT in Miami.
I am using the GI Bill, I have over 7K in flight time (5K fixed wing) with no jet time so I am trying to demonstrate I can fly jets for any potential employer. (I retire from the Army early next year)
I am not considering the 737 NG course at HPA because they are charging 15K. MD-80 is $9500, 737-200 course at CPT is $8000.
Airline cost/drive to Miami/DFW is about the same from my home. Hotel in Miami is about $450 more expensive ($1000 v $1450).
I am leaning towards Miami and CPT but I wanted get some of your opinions.
Thanks for any insight you can provide!
06-25-2015, 03:44 AM
#3
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Joined APC: Jun 2008
Posts: 579
HPA has changed since the old, it is basically americans md80 course, they use the same cpts and study material. Its pretty easy and straight forward if you study well and pay attention. Hpa does not go after the small details like many airlines want you to know... Ie size of brake caliper or some random trivia. That said, when hpa changed managment many of the md80 ground school instructors retired, you many want to check on that. I would say the md80 has a bit more glass then an old -200 and must better automation of you are on search of that type of training.
That said the 737 is a plus at swa.
I wouldnt get an md80 type as a resume builder... It wont mattter for a job without time on type.
That said the 737 is a plus at swa.
I wouldnt get an md80 type as a resume builder... It wont mattter for a job without time on type.
06-25-2015, 04:52 AM
#5
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Joined APC: Dec 2009
Position: Airplane
Posts: 2,385
I did HPA with the 737 type. Having a type is no longer a big benefit on a resume, but it's also no longer really a detriment to non-SWA resumes either.
HPA was fantastic, they were a nice intro into civilian training, without doing my type there, I would've struggled a bit in new hire training.
I'm not sure there's much benefit at all to a MD-80 type, none at all in fact.
HPA was fantastic, they were a nice intro into civilian training, without doing my type there, I would've struggled a bit in new hire training.
I'm not sure there's much benefit at all to a MD-80 type, none at all in fact.
06-25-2015, 05:14 AM
#7
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Joined APC: Mar 2014
Posts: 698
I'm no hiring board, but your more pressing concern is what you're going to do next. Getting a type may show you can make it through a 141 school, but you're still the same 7k-hour mil guy with no jet time. Lots of C-130/P-3 guys get hired with only t-prop time, not sure about straight up King Air guys. Regional sucks, but has proven a viable path to the majors while getting jet and 121 time; something like Omni might work as well. But a type (in my opinion) probably isn't going to get you an interview you wouldn't have already gotten without it. Best of luck, won't happen overnight, but you need to keep flying in the meantime.
06-25-2015, 05:56 AM
#9
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Thread Starter
Joined APC: Nov 2014
Posts: 121
Thanks for the input. Maybe I will just pass on the whole thing and use my efforts on job fairs and interview prep.
I am hoping Spirit gives me a shot after getting to a job fair. I really hate the idea of a regional....seems like slave labor to me and the thought of working for those horrible pay rates would make me reconsider retirement. I have flown cargo, charter, and CFI'ed in the past and I am not going back. Fun flying but it never pays the bills. Time will tell.
I am hoping Spirit gives me a shot after getting to a job fair. I really hate the idea of a regional....seems like slave labor to me and the thought of working for those horrible pay rates would make me reconsider retirement. I have flown cargo, charter, and CFI'ed in the past and I am not going back. Fun flying but it never pays the bills. Time will tell.
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