chucknorris

Well, seems haven’t changed in the 15 years since I went through the program. The good is if you can pass AWAC training you can pass anywhere, I don’t think a single AWAC guy or gal has ever failed jetblue training. AWaC training for years made me have visceral reaction to the smell of a sim building. That said, i enjoyed working there after I got through training, but I’m sure it’s a different company now, I’ve been gone 10 years.

My favorite training experience (not) at AWaC was on sim 2 getting an engine failure, and since we weren’t working the IAC and qrh quick enough having him advance the fire until he made a simulated call that the flight attendants are burning, a bathroom fire warning, gear bay overheats, then having our engines flame out, and then yelling at us that we didn’t land on a poorly visualized road. Oh, and my sim partner on lesson 6, a grown man, literally breaking down and sobbing in the simulator. Fun times. Now, again, pass AWaC and pass anywhere. After leaving and being hired at bluejet I literally had to question if they were joking at how easy that program was, to the point that we were questioning why we had the ability to drink beer far more then study. I don’t regret going to AWaC, I made life long friends and I enjoyed most of the people I flew with. I came out of AWaC as a much better pilot then when I went in, but the training program was a total $hit show.

pitchtrim

Funny you say that because I too for years couldn't stand the smell of the sim center or hotel we stayed at in Charlotte after my stint there as a new hire. My 46 year old sim partner also broke down in tears one day. This was 10 years ago. It has given me a lot of confidence now that I'm elsewhere and going through their training program. Awac has softened up a bit over the years and will give far more opportunities to redeem yourself should you fail or need more time along the way. It's hard but fair.

chucknorris

I was at Denver CAE. Passing by that sim building on the way to the Denver overnight still gives me a little agitated response. I had “the terminator” as a check airmen, which actually I really liked him and had him for multiple PCs afterward, but yeah, AWAC was something. Upgrade was much easier though even there half my class had issues. I think in ‘05 we failed out about 25% of our new hire class and upgrade in 07 a couple people needed retraining, which they were nice enough to give to those that needed it.

I don’t have a vandetta against them, haven’t worked there in 10+ years, never failed a training event or needed extra training. These are just my observations after since being in a real nice conductive training environment.

A last note, I know that AWAC pilots are looked at favorably because they are in no way shape or form a training liability at the majors. I’m not saying it’ll open you any more doors, but there aren’t many weak AWAC pilots.

nuball5

I’m not sure what some of the Awac instructors would do if they could only ask systems questions from a Lights & Switches guide and the oral was completed using PowerPoint.

AZwiz

I too was an instructor. The PTP doesn't spell things out like a true syllabus. Student's don't have access to a syllabus. Lesson completion standards were arbitrary. Everyone preaches "PTS Standards," yet not a single instructor could tell me what that is. I knew, but they didn't. It's whatever felt good in the moment to them. This place is a dumpster fire. Leave and you'll see how much better life is.

UpWeGo

Copied and paste from another thread but since IAD is my goal now, here goes......

Hello all, new to the forums. As mentioned in other threads I’m here seeking advice and also come here with a 121 failure. I would have liked to return to previous regional since I know what to expect, after the timeframe to reapply is over, but circumstances have changed. Looking to be based in IAD and you guys fly similar airframe.

As far as my failure goes that rests entirely on me. I put a lot of pressure on myself having no previous failures and I let it get in the way of my performance the day it counted most. I only had to repeat 1 sim at my previous place and the Instructors were very helpful when help was needed.

If someone or multiple folks could please give me their opinion(s) on Air Wisconsin I’d really appreciate it. Specifically thoughts on training, do Instructors care about your success or “push them through” mentality? Are extra sims provided or is it one and done kind of deal? Just wondering since I’d be coming in with a previous failure, if even given an opportunity, and this would essentially be my last attempt at an airline career. Also, any ideas of the company’s future? Will United be re-upping contract, current one is up in two years correct? Appreciate any advice/opinions, thanks.

iceman21

If you are a person who comes into training with the right attitude and will bust your rear end, the instructors will bend over backwards to help you get through training successfully. I am an example of this.

Come prepared, ready to absorb everything, willing to learn and live the system.

UpWeGo

Sent you a PM. Thanks

GA2Jets

Hey everyone!

Anyone know where the sims are done? Are they in Appleton, or are they contracted out?

iceman21

As of now its CVG or STL contracted with our own instructors