320 Training Schedule
 

Hi All-

From what I've read here, sounds like training is 6 weeks-ish, but I have a few questions:

1) How long is indoc?

2) Is there a group ground class for systems or is everything just you, your partner and an instructor?

3) How does the training break down in general time wise for systems, procedures, maneuvers, loft etc?

Thanks for your help.

1 - About a week. When I went through last year we arrived on Tuesday, in-processed, got settled in our rooms, and had our pilot new hire brief where we bid for our aircraft/base (someone said the bidding process has recently changed and you do it online before you arrive now). Wednesday/Thursday was company orientation, benefits, etc. The majority of these 2 days was with the whole group of new hires company wide. Pilots, tech-ops, airport ops, etc. Friday was doors/slides and some more company intro but with just the pilot class. Weekend off, then Monday was our whole class together going over OPSEC, FOM, our iPad apps, etc. Monday finished it up and most of our class had 1-2 weeks off before they started their aircraft training (bid for aircraft training start date, in order of seniority when we bid for our fleet). You bid for your aircraft training start date, but don't bid for actual sim slots while in training. We got our assignments/training schedule on Wednesday for basically the rest of training.

2 - After indoc we were sent home with CBTs and study material to do on our own before we returned for our aircraft training. The first few days were systems overview and that was with in the FTD with you, your sim partner, another group of sim partners, and instructor. They were 4 hour sessions and we basically took breaks and rotated seats about every hour, with 2 people in the seats and 2 people in chairs right behind them. It was very "show and tell" with live system schematics on monitors off to the side. At the end of that the whole class (for your specific fleet) was back together for a systems review for the day. Outside of those first few systems overview lessons/FTDs it was pretty much you, your sim partner, and instructor for all the procedures lessons (FTD), maneuvers, and LOFT flights (full motion sim.) Outside of that you were pretty much on your own, or study with your sim partner/classmates. There was plenty of that going on, and the training program and lessons are laid out very well so you'll know EXACTLY what you need to be studying/what the expectations are at each lesson/phase of trailing when on your own. Of course all the instructors were great and willing to help if you asked, even if it meant staying late after a lesson. It's a VERY pilot-friendly training program.

3 - Typically (at least last year) it's just about a week of company orientation/indoc, 1-2 weeks off/at home for self study and CBTs (stay down there if you want, several of our West Coast people did), systems/procedures was about 2 weeks, then maneuvers and LOFT flights were about 2 weeks. MV was about 5 weeks into training and LOE was exactly 6 weeks after I arrived in Orlando. I had 6 days between indoc/aircraft training. Schedule once you start aircraft training was usually 3-4 days on, then 1-3 days off. Pretty much everything went on schedule and stayed in the projected footprint. Had a couple lessons get switched days around but no real delays.

This was all for the 320. 190 I believe is set up pretty similar. 220 I have no idea, but they finished up about a week before everyone else. Overall a great experience. If you're not local and can stomach driving down to Orlando I'd highly recommend it. Lodge food gets old around week 3.

They are changing the whole 320 class to be like the 220 and have systems done on the iPad starting next month.

Question -

How do they determine seniority for the incoming class? Age?

Yes…oldest gets the first sen. # in class

Any idea of average age for classes and what the assignments usually are?

It varies. Typically if you are in your mid 30s or older you'll be safe getting 3320. Younger then that and it may depend on the class.

Do pilots fly both 320 and 321, or just one or the other? I know it's the same type cert.

On the 320 you will fly a mix of the 320, 321, and the 21 neo depending on the route. Usually just the etops trained crews fly the LR unless they need to use one for a spare, I’ve had that happen once.

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You need differences training for the foot warmers