rswitz

I've got a June 14th class date. Gonna be commuting from DEN-EWR. I know its gonna suck but I'll manage. Anything positive at C5 happening? I need something to look forward to cuz all I've been hearing is complaints and negative stuff. Somebody please tell me something good. Thanks!

Paid2fly

Hmm, let's see...

"Mary had a little lamb".

Comstsa

Try not to put too much weight into what you read on the forums. People are usually quick to post the bad things and exaggerate. On the other hand, people usually don’t come on here to rave about the good things. But here are a few good things: We’ve added aircraft # 24 and 25 within the last month and I believe I saw that #26 is going through conformity. This is after 5 or 6 months of stagnation. If we can keep adding 2 aircraft a month, everyone here now, or those like yourself who will be here soon, will be in good shape. Adding aircraft depends on adding pilots though. From what I hear, the class sizes have been decent. But I think the problem is 25-30 new hires are listed per class, 15-20 actually show up, and then 10-15 actually make it through training. I believe the reason for the pass rate is more to do with the quality of the new hire rather than the difficulty of the training. I’ve heard that the percentage of those who make it into the Career Path Program has increased a good bit to around 50%. Everyone’s WAG was around 20% a year or so ago. Also, the company has shown that they’re willing to release guys in the CPP to United, even when it hurt to lose those guys and the company had the contractual right to hold them back. That was a concern at the end of last year, but it appears that they’re willing to make that sacrifice for whatever reason (probably to avoid the negative publicity and damage to recruiting if they chose to keep people back). IF you make it into the CPP you’re looking at around 3 years to United as opposed to 5 or more at the other places w CPP. I know a EWR FO who finished training (IOE) in January and has a line already. Reserve sucks, but hopefully you’ll only have to deal w it a few months. We’ve run upgrade classes of 8-10 for 3 months straight and word is they’ll continue. I also think that there is a good chance that the most junior award for upgrade will go to someone who has only been here 6 months. If not this class, more than likely the next. It’s also good to see our performance in the top half of the pack for the last few months after being dead last for about a year. Don’t let your commute worry you too much. The commuter clause is pretty sweet. As long as you give yourself two options, your covered... no questions asked. I think I’ve used it about 5 times over 2 years and no one has even called to verify that I gave myself two options. So hopefully this will give you something to hang on to. It is a regional though and your main goal should be to get in and get out as quickly as possible. That’s just the nature of the beast. Also, the people here are awesome, so that helps a little. Good luck. Hope you make it to class first of all. And also hope you make it through class.

rswitz

Thanks for the words of encouragement. I'm definitely looking forward to starting class. Is there anything more you can tell me about the training/quality of instructors and checkrides?

NeoPilott

Two of my good friends who work here seem to enjoy it. Both are captains, both live in base, both moving on to bigger carriers this summer after 3 years at C5 (they interviewed with United at the time CPP pass rate was low). I am starting class in July.

NeoPilott

Also, Hogan exam was a breathe and all passed. Anyone has insights on CPP interview with United? What to study etc.

MGMTiswatchingU

Cage Consulting is what I heard the pilots are using. Check the website.

flyguy727

There is a guy in Lafayette, Keith, I forget his last name. He flies for express jet, he has a company that administrators those psychological test. I'll try to get his number and post it here. Could be a good source to get insight. I know people that have passed n that have failed.

Alexey

Hi, I also was concerned after reading all the complaints, but decided to go with them anyway. Now I'm going through the systems and like it so far, all the instructors and management people I've met were great. So I think the bad stuff on the web is not quite accurate if at all. Feel free to pm me with any questions.

b738pilot

Hey guys, considering leaving a charter 737 airline (very slow upgrades, not much movement, and not many moving to the majors from here) for Commutair because of the easy path to United and the advertisements of a quick upgrade to captain (and the operation from what I see looks very professional upfront). My overall goal is to get into a major, like most of us here, and I do miss the regional lifestyle.

Is it worth it? How accurate is it when they say "if you have prior 121 time you will upgrade fast", how fast is fast, and are people going to United after they hit their 1000 PIC? Basically, is it a sales pitch or is it legit?