Originally Posted by
RamenNoodles
It's not taboo anymore. It's normal. Many of these 300 hour guys have a great head on their shoulders and worked very hard to get into an airline so quickly. Unfortunately, there are enough that are way too cocky and can't hold their own; those are the guys that make the rest look bad.
I was one of those 300 hour wonders over 2 years ago when I was hired. Training was a breeze because of an "RJ transition course" that I took, or whatever you want to call it, but it wasn't enough for the real world. It took an easy 3 months on the line before I was worth a crap as an FO. This was at a time when most regionals were looking for 1000/100 for new hires, so most were envious of how quickly I scored that "real flying job." Many of those who bash the 300 hour wonders would probably have grabbed the opportunity had it presented itself, although they won't admit it
I tell this story, however, because the 300 hour bashers are 100% correct in their skepticism. I would kill to go back in time and get 1000 hours CFIing, or flying night cargo ops somewhere in a baron. That experience is invaluable and I wish I had not missed out on it. But, like the majority of those in my shoes would have done, I caved into SJS and took that RJ job. Fortunately for my counterparts, they didn't get that opportunity. They were learning and gaining experience by leaps and bounds while I was holding tightly to the tailcone of a jet, acting as deadweight for a few months in the right seat.
While I hate to admit that I was one of those 300 hour no goods, I do so to caution the up and coming guys out there. Don't sell out early if you can help it!
I was with you up until the last two paragraphs of your post.
You would kill to go back in time and get 1,000 hours of CFI experience or go fly cargo at night? What's stopping you? Those jobs are still available and you don't have to "kill" for them. Loss of pay? What's that compared to the limitless amounts of [supposed] experience you will gain?
Flying an RJ is flying an RJ, flying a 152 closed traffic with a private student practicing his landings is just that as well. Two TOTALLY different things. All the landing practice in the world in a 152 won't help your RJ landings. The basics are the same for any aircraft, that's why their called basics. They are fundamental to flying. Aside from the basics I don't think much of the rest of it helps all that much.
Don't get me wrong, being a CFI is an honorable and worthwhile career. I applaud those that give back to this industry by shepherding the new, but don't go thinking that it really makes that much of a difference flying an RJ or 737 for that matter.
IMO what is most valuable is time in type. Wether it be simulating V1 cuts in a sim, or flying the line, that is the experience that really matters. I just fail to see the correlation between instructing in a Cessna and flying a 82,750 MRW jet.
By the way, hi everyone.
