Originally Posted by
MD114Ever
Last summer, MD-11 FO upgrade to MD-11 Capt was the short course as part of the cost savings and safety improvements made by JG. Several had training failures/delays, significant problems, or didn't finish the program. Almost every student critiqued the program as being too short. I'm pretty confidant that the upgrading FOs from last spring and summer would have appreciated the extra non-jeperdy time.
I think I will appreciate the extra time as well being a "slow-learner"...
What's interesting is that the course isn't necessarily being tailored to what is safe and effective training, but tailored on the on how to best save money. Granted the "short" course is probably too short placing the burden on the pilot, while the "long" course also puts the cost savings of seat support on the pilot as well... Maybe a course designed around effectively training a pilot in a time frame where good learning could take place instead of worrying about the costs saving extremes of 3 or 9 weeks... Maybe splitting the difference at 6 weeks or a time frame where training failures wouldn't occur...