sky jet

I'm not writing this in response to any particular person but because I have noticed an uptick in these questions being asked over the last few years. Maybe I'm old and out of touch? Maybe sitting reserve and reading to many web boards has made me cranky. I'm sure that at least a few will criticize this post or me for making it. That doesn't necessarily make the observation wrong but perhaps I am taking the post in question the wrong way.

The question is often phrased as, "what is training like at XYZ airline and is it AQP?", then followed by, "what is the pass-fail rate?" The question being asked should be, "what is my training like and what is my pass-fail rate?" AQP or no, a Type ride is always similar regardless of aircraft or company. Everyone knows what is going to be expected and the standards are published by both the FAA and the airlines. Fly to the standard or better and you pass. Don't and you fail. Every airline (even those with a history of skimping on training) knows what the absolute minimum performance is for passing with their particular Fed or APD. They will at least train to slightly higher than that standard to try and assure that they get a line pilot from their investment. No airline wants to hire someone and spend money on training and then have to release a candidate for not performing. Even airlines that have less than stellar reputations in other areas don't want anyone to fail training. Almost to a company they will offer at least a little extra help to a person who is struggling if their attitude is good, and it appears they are trying. It's just judicious use of funds to do so. If you except a job at ANY airline, show up, study hard, make an effort and 99% of average pilots will be successful. Perhaps it's just me, but when I see people asking these types of questions online, I immediately wonder if they are weak pilots or sorely lacking in confidence. Neither of which is a quality airlines want in an employee. Yes, I know that there are exceptions to some of this and there will be a few with horror stories about being wronged in training. Truely honest ones are few and far between. Usually those stories are shaded to make the teller look better. Most failures are earned and deserved. Pilots are going to train and be checked many times through a career. If they lack skill or confidence, that career is going to be either miserable or short.