Originally Posted by
Speed Select
I disagree. I thought the transition felt a lot like a B-course. 3-4 hours of studying a night, including chair flying, an hour in the FTD working flows (100 and 200 blocks), and writing the memory items to drill them in like bold face items. IMO, "gentleman's course" = spoon feeding. I was not spoon fed anything. I was also a one-man class with no sim partner, so that may have been a factor in the perceived intensity, but just about everyone I know who's been through Delta training in the last 2 years has had an experience similar to mine. I doubt any of them would describe the experience as a gentleman's course.
I do agree that having a good attitude and applying what the instructors teach will help, but that's not enough to get you through training.
I know, Delta loves tools like me. And no, there's no DG program. But during that first push of OE, it felt like I brain dumped everything I learned in training. I was happy I had enough muscle memory to not look entirely incapable.
I guess I should edit my post. I did study flows pretty hard for the 100-200 series. With that said I didn't study more then 15 mins a night in the 300-400 series. I am by no means chuck Yeager but I didn't think sims where too tough. From what I have gathered it is pretty much impossible to washout with a good attitude. That is pretty gentlemanly to me!
Now day one IOE.....sweet baby Jesus. I don't care who you are, if you have never flown 121, that day sucks. On leg 3 of that day the LCA asked me if I was "having a good time". In a sweaty mess, I shot him a look and told him I thought I had made the wrong career decision. I haven't felt so lost since UPT. I have much respect for the guys who have been single seat their entire career. Learning all the airline stuff and your place in a multi-crew cockpit has to be a lot.
Delta will get you through it, even if it requires extra training. I know a guy that went the full IOE (75 hours I think) and even went back to the sim for extra training. He is happily flying the line off probation now. He was positive the entire time and that's what got him through. Take that for what its worth.