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Old 11-04-2011 | 01:00 PM
  #26  
barabek
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Originally Posted by BaronRouge380
Thanks for the info on ASA/XJ Barabek.
I only have 840/51, do you think XJ will consider me?(time built on my Cessna, I am not a CFI unfortunately) I believe a CRJ course may be beneficial, what do you think?

I think you got a fair shot. I wouldn't spend the money for any CRJ course. You'll learn all you need in training and I don't think they're looking for anything like this. Moreover we don't fly CRJs, so it wouldn't make too much difference. Usually the courses are expensive and are selling as a "door opener" to the airline interview, but I'm sure the most of the pilots who are in the airlines will agree with me that the interviewers don't care about those at all, and the product is an expensive gimmick making a lot of money for flight schools while it doesn't give you too much. You either know your stuff and how to fly instruments or not. The type of airplane doesn't matter too much. I did my interview with ASA in January and had a sim ride in CRJ200. I had over 3000 hours as CFI but never flew anything bigger then a PA-44. I had fun and had no problem with the ride eventhough it was far from perfect. They are not expecting any checklists, flows, callouts or anything of that sort. Just stick and rudder, scan, tracking radials, holding altitude, entering a hold, riding a glineslope. Simple basic instrument stuff - pitch and power, scan and situational awareness. They don't expect you to be perfect. You are evaluated by experienced instructors and what the guy was looking at my ride was seeing if I'm staying ahead of the plane, learning from mistakes and improving during the flight. It was 30 min long and basically my last 5 minutes were very different from my first 5 minutes. I think they also look at how nervous you are and if you can relax under pressure.

As far as the level of experience in my class (Feb 2011) we had very experienced guys (furlough airlines including captains, long time CFIs, 135 guys) mostly but there were a few fairly low time, young CFIs. I think they all had around 1000 tt but low on multi time (I know one guy told me he had to rent a Seminole for some 10 hours before his class started to reach 50 - the minimum you need for insurance purposes). I know they did some internships at Delta or Continental though (not sure which one). They all turned out to be great and had no problems in the training. Nowasays I heard they hire people with way less then 1000 hours but 50ME seems to be enforced.

I know the ASA interviewers or the selection committee is pretty tight on checkride failures and background stuff like DUIs, drug test failures, etc. I know personally 4 people with 3000-4000 hours, ATP, and even turbin PIC who didn't even get an interview because of 3 checkride failure from a distant past.

Just apply and good luck!
PM me if you have more qeustions.
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