I have heard the low-timers fail out alot due to basic instrument skills. I finished up the end of Nov. Out of 19, only 3 failed out all in the sims and all due to basic instrument skills. If you can't fly a raw data VOR approach, GO PRACTICE!!!! I flew the sim on one of the evaluation flight and we circled to land and he ended up in a 30 degree bank at 300ft because he took his attention off his instruments to adjust the power. He was a nice guy but that is unacceptable. Although, he was told to go out get some more experience and if he wanted to come back in six months, the training department would recommend him to the recruiters.

As for QOL and work rules and such...LGA is really the only commutable base and they normally get more days off because they time out pretty quickly due to all the delays ensued at LGA. There are no senior bases for FO's so if you don't get what you want in the first bid, it will probably come within a few months. As for the other bases, you can actually afford to live in them on your pay. Cost of living in EWN, ROA, MDT, and SBY is not alot. CHO is a little higher but still doable. On reserve last month I flew 85 hours so expect them to use you. This month, I still have 7 days they can use me and so far I have around 50 hrs.

Once you hold a line, you are pay protected so if your flight cancels for any reason, you still get paid. In addition, we do have a commuter clause, my roomate was trying to get to EWN and the last flight was oversold, he called scheduling and they put him on as a must ride so he would be in EWN for the next day on reserve.

From what I have seen, if you are honest with them, they will work with you. Yes training is difficult but that is because although they have lowered minimums, they have not lowered standards which I don't think they should. Give them 100% and you will get 100% back.