So far, I haven't noticed any bad attitudes towards MAPD graduates. So far, we've got a pretty good comradery going- study groups, helping each other out. We have everything from a 5,000 hour 1900 captain going to ERJ captain to 1,000 hour CFI new hires to a few MAPD graduates and a few Delta Connection academy grads. Everyone has been awesome, no complaints here at all.

With regards to the $400 checkride with the FAA, I guess I should count my blessings. I paid $200 for my checkrides in Midland, and I heard that checkrides with the FAA in Lubbock were free.

As for the upgrade time, looks like it's taking two years on the ERJ right now. Could be different on the CRJ, I'm not sure. That is from a seniority perspective. However, we MAPD grads being low hours, we could be waiting a bit longer to meet the ICAO minimums, or doing a lot of safety piloting.