Hey guys,

I'm new to the forum, and was reading what everybody had to say about RAA. Thus far, I am rather discouraged, as I have been planning on going there this coming fall. My dad flys the MD80 for AA out of EWR, and has done a lot of asking around for me. All the pilots he has talked to don't have anything negative to say about RAA or about the pilots that come out of there. Obviously, few people on this forum advocate RAA, and I'd like to know why. Secondly, besides learning why RAA is a bad choice, I'd like to know which school(s) all of you guys would suggest as a better alternative.

Thanks,
-Danzig

 

I'll try to elaborate later, but I at least want to caution you about taking career advice from established major airlines pilots...

-EVERYTHING has changed since they got their start in the industry...in fact everything has changed several times.

-Major pilots rarely deal with entry-level or regional pilots, so most are not "current" on what's really going on at our level.

RAA, Delta Connection, ERAU and many other large schools simply charge FAR too much money to deliver the same training you can get at home. They are also prone to exagerate (actually they just lie) about the benefits of their training (there are none) and their graduate's career prospects (the same as anyone else with a commercial pilot's license).

If you really want a big school, ATP doesn't charge the same ripoff fees.

I would STRONGLY recomend going to college (if you haven't already) andd getting your ratings and then a cfi job at your local airport. You could do this while attending college.

 

RAA has two tracks. One gets you a CFI and you instruct for a while. The other you don't instruct, somehow get a type rating on an RJ (though you aren't qualified to be a Capt) and then are shipped off to a regional at 300 hours. I think both tracks are expensive, the type track would be more so. In any case, 300 hour pilots don't belong in RJ's.

 

I went to RAA and I work for a good airline now. That being said, I would not recommend going there now. It's not the place it used to be. The administration somehow forgot about the customer and only think of $$. They treat their instructors like crap so they have no reason to care. It's really unfortunate because they used to be a great school. You should look at ATP or even Flight Safety, although it is a bit more expensive. ATP has the same airline agreements as RAA or Delta. Six guys in my new hire class were from ATP. They also are nationwide so you might not even have to move.

 

I agree with what has been said here before. Get a 4 year degree if you don't have one already, and go to ATP if you want your ratings quickly.

Buying a 30k CRJ type might get you a regional job with low time, but its a huge waste of money. Don't do it. If you absolutely must have a type rating, buy a CE500, LRJET, or 737 type.

 

Stay the **** away from RAA they ****ed me for 20k I hired two attorneys and won the case but it cost me. They are *******s who will **** you out of your hard earned money if they can **** ALL THEM AT RAA sorry ****s!

 

I just finished the RAA program, here is a link to my write up of that experience: http://members.cox.net/dcrow079/RAA training gouge.doc

 

The RAA in phx just closed. Not sure why?

 

RAA is a bunch of crooks. 'Nuff said.