Originally Posted by DrPepperE4

Being a recent Gulfstream grad, I would have to say it was a great experience for me, and everyone that I knew in the program. I went into the program with a multi-commercial license (no single add-on) with 170 hours total time. I finished the program with 422 hours. Now, compared to regional time requirements, this a low amount of time. But, because of the 121 experience I gained, I was marketable, and now, I will be starting with Pinnacle in about a month. I didn't take anything away from anyone. Like many others, I saw an opportunity and took it. A lot of people are bitter about pay-for-hire programs, but regardless, it's well worth the experience, and in my opinion, a lot better an opportunity than instructing. Am I say that I'm better than flight instructors out there with more time? Not at all... Probably far from the truth. But, I've successfully completed a Part 121 training regiment and then competed for FO positions with CFIs that had double, even triple the time I had, and I was offered the position and they weren't. Do whatever will get you the job, but in the end, it's all about experience and what will get you what you want faster. Those people that don't like these programs...? that's their opinion. But when it comes down to two people for one position... one has Part 121, multi-engine turbine, CRM experience, and the other has Part 91 single-engine piston time babysitting a private pilot, who do you think the airlines are going to want?