Originally Posted by
MacrossJet
Is the training footprint difficult? Is it something that a 1500 hour guy can pass with a good attitude and good studying? Is the training now being changed and tailored more towards the 1500 hr guys coming in, so that they can pass?
With the regionals not hiring, ACMI or the LCC's and ULCC's might be some of our only chance forward right now.
I cannot tell if you will pass or not with 1500 hours because when I got hired there, I had been at a regional for 11 years prior, so I don’t know. What I can tell you is that the 76 is an amazing aircraft and was a joy to fly but, my guess is that without prior experience IF you make it through training, you will most likely have your hands full for quite awhile before you become comfortable. The 76 is obviously a very large aircraft, it requires a lot of energy management, and like all aircraft if you get in over your head it could have catastrophic consequences. IE Atlas in Houston 3-4 years ago. I did my initial back in 2016, so I can only tell you that when I got hired the training was very straightforward but, a lot of self teaching of the systems (which I personally like). They cannot tailor training to make it any easier or harder for your experience simply because at the end of the day, you have to be able to pass a type rating and the examiners will hold you to the same standards as any one else regardless of background or experience. The examiners are all retired AA or US Airways captains, so they are all very experienced and they know what will and will not fly so to speak.
All that said, what I will tell you is that I have many good friends who are Captains there still. Remember that Captains generally don’t mind helping and guiding a new hire but, they are not flight instructors and most of them are being ran so hard they do not have the patience to deal with extreme inexperience. I must admit that my last few months before I left last year, my tolerance for the inexperience was getting pretty low. That was actually one of many reasons why I chose to leave simply because I realized that the job was becoming too risky for me and it was turning me into the Captain I always said I never wanted to be.
Last thing I will tell you, it is a Part 121 job, so if you go into training and come out with a failure or multiple failures, you will be explaining that to any and all of your future employers down the road.
Just something’s to think about. Good luck!