The general outline presented here is correct. The time frame from your upgrade selection letter to your upgrade interview can be less than two months, so better start preparing early.
Originally Posted by
Typhoonpilot
A number of pilots are held back from even starting the upgrade if they do not pass the above process. Most often they get help in the required area and within a year or so they get through the process and start the training. There are some who never do, but that is very rare.
In the immediate past there were anywhere between 1 week and six months delay after a failed interview. The reasons can be varied, some have to go back and talk to a CRM instructor or Psychologist, others have to study some more. Some have a combination of things. Totally depends on the Interviewers (The interview is conducted by a fleet representative and an HR representative and both have equal say, meaning both need to be happy).
Originally Posted by
Typhoonpilot
Once the upgrade training starts is goes pretty fast. There is some ground school ( Sunnfun, help me out here ) and then simulator starts.
The ground school consists of CRM days, LOS/LOE workshop days, a day of Performance and VNAV as well as some Air Laws/Commanders responsibility, 8 days total.
The whole course consists of 26 training days. All in all a very tight program and additional training can and will be assigned where necessary.
If you fail the program you will be reassigned to the right seat and go back to the line and will be re-invited once fleet thinks you're ready again. This can be anywhere from a couple of months to a few years. If you go back to the line for more than 12 months you have to repeat the whole process, i.e. tech exam/psych evaluation and interview.
Fleet has the oversight to allow additional training and, if you fail, how soon you'll be able to try again.
Hope this helps?