Many Thanks!
 

Calpilot and CalCapt,

Thank you for your advice! I looked over the minimums again and I have forgotten one thing, the ATPw! So, I'm studying now, planning to take the test within the next week and a half and then I will release my resume to CAL and let them decide as you suggested.

Thanks again!

marinepilot

Training
 

For those that are getting hired without the PIC turbine, it's no wonder that the new hires are having some problems during training. I shall remain nameless, but in my opinion hiring someone without any PIC time is crazy. CAL is spending quite a bit of money, over $30,000 per new hire, to train them. And some of these new guys with no PIC time are killing the system. I watched quite a few get retrained over and over during training on the same event. I'm very surprised that CAL didn't just drop them.

Anyways, I would rather have an FO that has some experience being a captain rather than a new hire with no idea what's going on. Anybody else feel the same way, or am I just being pompous?

I am an FO for eagle and we had hundreds of AA/TWA pilots who came back to be captains here. They all had tons of PIC turbine experience and many had years of heavy int'l CA time flying for other airlines. There were lots that needed to be re-trained, and some that washed out. I think the PIC turbine qualification is bogus and shouldnt be such heavily weighted as it is.

Insurance companies will decide this issue. Regarding the washouts at Eagle...Who knows the reason why an experienced Captain washes out of a program...It might be the instructors, stress of the loss of a job and lifestyle, or maybe their heart was not in it for a job that's really is not worth it..i.e. Eagle...To say PIC is a "Bogus" qualification just shows your level of experience and frustration at being a First Officer at Eagle...Sorry if the truth hurts...I know...I did 5 years in the right seat of a Jetstream at Eagle 16 years ago...Cheers

Ask any UAL sim instructor who taught during their hiring spree before 9/11.

Just because CAL is the only legacy/major hiring doesn't mean that this is the first time it's ever happened in this industry.

This has probably been said a few times already as I didn't read all five pages of this thread, but I have seen two leave my regional to Continental with zero PIC turbine. One was female. Both knew someone "special". Good for them and I am guessing that they can get through the training. I have also seen three others go with times ranging from 900 to 2500 in the left seat.

If I am fortunate enough to get an interview there any time soon I will be happy that I picked up 1200 or so hours of PIC turbine. I think it's important to have something to fall back on in the event of a furlough... not to mention the invaluable experience. A lot of things happen in those first 1000 hours in the left seat and I feel like that's why most carriers require it. Unfortunately though, I still feel as though this industry, just like many others, is still way too caught up on who you know and not what you know.

You are right. This applies to other industries as well.

The bottom line is that to be competitive you need the PIC time to get hired at CAL or any other big airline. I think the number of pilots getting hired at CAL with the times described above is very small. I am a bit supprised that they are hiring pilots with little or no PIC time. With the high number of retirees in the next several years the upgrades will come pretty quick.

FREE FLYER
I totally disagree with you.in the States you have an opportunity to upgrade based on a seniority system. Then you demonstrate a nice circle to land and upgrade. to be a real PIC takes more than that.
Few times when I WAS the fo on the ERJ I had to act as the Cpt. Why? because the guy on the left seat never took action during a RA. Because while loosing Hyd fluid I had to make the decision of declaring an emergency after the Cpt. asked me on what we should do. just to name few..
Now can you imagine CAl hires let's say, someone with 3000 TT 2000 sic RJ and this individual has, like you said, " NO IDEA" on what's going on. I think if you seat for 2000 hrs in any seat and have no idea... then you have bigger problems
Even as an FO if you know your job and take it seriously, you can be very effective.

Maybe it's unfortunate but at least we know the game, so start playing. Of the many countries I visit, the only thing that will get you what you want faster than knowing the right people is offering the right people the right amount of money. Anyone know how much it cost to get hired at CAL and who do I give the money to? hehe:D

or doesn't CAL play that game?:o