Regional Airline Training Advice
 

1.) Research EVERY regional. Create an excel spreadsheet with a point system. Try to get the one in the top 3 of your personal ranking.
Ask for a later class date while interviewing. Try to get 3 offers in same time frame so you can choose the best one for you. You don't want to be called for an interview at your best choice airline, while at first day of INDOC at second choice. I've been there :)

2.) DON"T go somewhere with a high washout rate. If that is your dream job, get some multi turbine experience FIRST ! ( Part 135, etc.) Get good at using FD, Autopilot, FMS flying to precision. Always at ref, always same place in touchdown zone, etc. If you have doubts about getting through Part 121 training, definitely start out in Part 135, 91, etc. Ease into it. Its not worth rushing, and having a bad record.

One FO I spoke to said in his class of 11, 8 were let go. Sounds like NAVY SEAL training !

3.) Become an expert on:
- Visual approaches
- Sweptwing aerodynamics
- Sweptwing crosswind landing in max crosswinds with gusts. ( a good number of wingtip strikes on CRJ-200, some on CRJ-700, and ERJ-145.) Not a good way to start your career.
- Reading METARS ( with ice pellets, freezing rain, Thunderstorms, etc. )
- Reading NOTAMS
- Takeoff / landing reports TLR's
- General Profiles : T/O , V1 cuts, etc. ( Read "Turbine Pilot's manual".)
- Flows, CRM

3.) DON'T chase upgrade ! Be patient, and stay put, if unsure. Regionals are changing so fast, you don't want to leave a place that turns out to be on top the next year.

4.) In training, study, and work like it is the hardest thing you have ever done in your life ! It probably is, for most people ( Except for Most Military pilots.)

4.) RELAX, and enjoy flying ! Let the LCA's insults roll of your back, and don't take it personally. Take the input onboard, and get better.
One day you will be a Captain, and you can create a team environment on YOUR aircraft. It's been proven to be much safer to function as a team, and it sure makes the job much more fun.

Are these numbers published? :confused:

Yes PSA is most wash out right now. Three DPE's failed the check rides & sent home

I think you have to ask on the Forum.
 

Good question. I don't think it is published. I know that Air Wisconsin training is probably the toughest. Seems for pilots new to 121, best training programs are:

- Republic
- TSA
- Piedmont

Interesting. The only common thing those airlines have is the embraer 170 and 145. Is the ERJ an easier first jet?

I heard the e-170/175 are harder to learn for a newbie with a single engine piston time due to all the automation.

This is All hear say...

E175 is more complex than CRJ, ERJ.

But a lot of it has to do with the airline and their training program. SKW for example has evolved their program to actually try to train people, including folks who have potential but need additional training... this was not the historical norm in 121, and not all regionals have caught up. I would definitely talk to RECENT graduates of any regional training program you're considering. Things are changing fast.

Swept wing jets aren’t three headed monsters in cross-winds. But they’re also not Piper Cubs. Basic airmanship still rules the day however there’s more speed and mass involved in the process. In a lot of way ways they’re actually easier to fly but there’s always a learning curve.

Yes, PM pilots at airlines prior to hire.
 

Rickair,

Well said. It is definitely the airline, and not the airplane. The CRJ-200 is very tough for a first A/C. But will the airline teach you its' quirks, or will they have maniac LCA's yell at you for not being a natural born expert at sweptwing crosswind landings? I would take a CRJ-200 job at SKW, or Endeavor in a second. I would run very fast away from a CRJ-200 job at Wisconsin. You don't have to dodge a certain airplane, but definitely run from certain NASA space shuttle pilot training programs at the regionals ie. Wisconsin.

Interesting....I have not heard too many people speak negatively on Wisconsin and I have them as one of my top places to apply when I am eligible. Do you have first hand experience there and the training issues? Anything else you can share?