Originally Posted by
hendefea
Back TO THE TOPIC..... this is an interesting idea. So is the mesaba thing with und that the guy above mentioned. You wonder whats in it for AT or Mesaba? Low Pay? If the majors start snatching these young guys too....are we setting ourself up for CFI shortage? I know its starting to seem that way out here in the midwest where my flight school is located!
UND program with Mesaba has a long way to develop, but it's my understanding that Mesaba is considering "contractual hiring" agreements.
Essentially students (seniors) at UND would apply for the program. Recipients would have the CFI certificates paid for by Mesaba, in exchange for a period of instructing experience at UND (guaranteed job by UND). Once the instructing period is served, that student/instructor would be placed automatically into a new hire FO slot at Mesaba.
Mesaba wins by gaining an experienced pilot (which they currently seem to be having a hard time doing). $5000 or $6000 dollars to train a student is a lot cheaper than cancelling multiple flights due to crew shortages. UND wins because they now have a committed instructor that isn't bailing out right after graduation. The student wins with an airline job before graduation, and defrayment of some of the flight training costs.
In reality, it's not that different from the same type of offer the military offers to ROTC candidates. Money towards school/training and a guaranteed job offer, in exchange for a few years of employment.