Originally Posted by
PruneJuice
Part 141 rides aren't counted as failures by the FAA. This is why you should always do part 141 training over 61. People can ask about "failed" stage-checks but there is no paper trail so you can always say you've failed none and nobody will know.
I was a check pilot at a 141 school and did stage checks. You are right that stage checks won't count against you but checkrides will. The problem is the End Of Course EOC exam at a 141 school with self examining authority. If you are taking a checkride for a license or certificate and you fail the oral or flight portion it will count as a failure on your Oklahoma City file. It is the same as taking a ride with a DE but you are doing it in house with the same reporting standards.
If they ask if you have ever failed a stage check on an application and you say no. They will glance through your logbook and read the descriptions of your flights around your stagechecks. It is usually pretty easy to tell if they goofed it up or not.