FlyJSH

Howdy all,

Okay, I am going to swallow my pride and ask you folks for some help.

Last November, I failed my initial checkride with one of the larger regionals in an EMB-145. Since then, even getting an interview is impossible.

A bit about my backround: 5000 tt, 2100 AMEL PIC, 900 single turboprop PIC, part 135 Check Airman.

The first problem I had in training was the crew concept. All of my time (other than as a CFI) is single pilot.

My other problem was transitioning to glass and the heavy use of autopilot. All my time is on steam gauges, and most of it is hand flown (our autopilots flew to private pilot standards). The only time in the -145 I impressed my instructor was when all the electrics had failed, and I was hand flying off the gumball.

I have found a job flying a privately owned Caravan; so I am flying. But I only fly about 20 hours a month, and it is, frankly, a dead end job. The one good thing is it is one tricked out Caravan. It still has a six pack with a glass HSI, but otherwise is has all the bells and whistles the jet did.

So what am I doing now to prevent another failure?
1. I am pushing all the buttons on the Caravan, getting comfortable using all the automation it has.
2. Bought Microsoft Flight Sim so I can get better at reading speed and altitude tapes.
3. As for the CRM, all I know is next time, I need to put more time and effort into callouts and using the guy/gal in the other seat.

Back to the original problem. When I talk to any 121 carrier, when they hear about my failure, the conversation is over. 135 and 91 has been only slightly better. What can I do? Am I going to have to start from scratch again? (Oh, and I am in my early 40s: my clock is ticking)

Thanks for the help,
j

ghilis101

theres always mesa. seriously mesa sucks but if thats what you need on your resume to show you can make it through 121 training then why not. send your resume to them and hound them you could be in class in the next few weeks, but get out of there as fast as you can

pilotss

Push hard on some of the regionals. Big Sky, Mesa, Cape Air, Great Lakes.

Do your penance there. Pass the training and in 6 months apply all over again to the larger regionals. It will take some time to get this under your belt. Every where you go you will have to explain this event so get comfortable explaining it.

The only thing that will help you out will be a proven record of passing check rides and that takes time. You have a smear on your record but it is a short detour not the end of your career. Most people will eventually have one check ride bust, DUI, arrest, or something on their record. Saints only apply to the Vatican.

Good Luck.

Short Bus Drive

I agree. Try EVERY company out there. Colgan (land of this misfit pilots-I know, I was one of them), Mesa?, Just get your resume out there. Especially at the ones that fly the "smaller" planes. (BE-1900). These don't have autopilot, have steam gauges. Stuff you are used to. Work on the CRM there. SOMEONE is bound to call. Suck it up there. Get past the bust, and if you want, move on.
For future reference, it sounds like you are one of those that has to sit down with their sim partner, and WORK TOGETHER!!! Eat, drink, etc... together. It helps.

rickair7777

In today's environment, failing your first 121 training event should not be the end of the road. You might have to do penance at a small prop operation or mesa, but you might not.

Your problem may be how you are presenting yourself at the interviews:

1) Identify and address any OTHER interview or background problems you may have...read up on interviewing, make sure you look VERY presentable.

2) Make sure that you address the training problem correctly. Do NOT be defensive or blame your instructor, sim buddy, or the company, you will need to take responsibility for what happened. Sounds like you have already identified CRM and glass automation as issues...when asked, explain BRIEFLY what happened, tell them your plan for overcoming these problems, then SHUT UP. Hopefully they will move on to other topics.

Also do NOT let failed interviews get you down...it happens to almost everyone, and you may experience more than most. Just move on to the next one, I'm sure you'll get hired before too long. You are a better training risk than someone who has had never attended 121 training...you already know what you need to focus on, and will not be as lost as a newbie.

Someone mentioned eagle...they have a history of never hiring folks who failed out at another airline. Be aware of that, but if you get an interview you may as well give them a shot.

Also maybe try to get a multi-engine job. The One God, One Country, One Pilot, One Engine thing only works for viper people.

Tinpusher007

FlyJSH....did they terminate you after your first initial F/O PC? Were you only given one, or was it multiple times?

FlyJSH

It was my initial. One attempt and "thanks for playing"

Tinpusher007

Wow, Im sorry to hear that man. At XJ, they told us point blank we would not be terminated for busting a PC, especially not the first one and only once. I mean, if it becomes a routine problem, thats another story. But by the time you're ready for a PC they have already invested significant time and money in us, so they want to see us get through. Good luck to you, though. I would say given your experience level, you certainly have a lot offer this industry. Just be a little more lazy the next time around and use your other crewmember. I had problems with callouts in the beginning of my training too. Everything was happening so fast and I got tunnel vision trying to make sense of it all. But soon, it just began to click. Once again...good luck!

FlyJSH

Thanks to you all, lots of great info.

Rickair -- yeah, I know I need to get back into the multi.... it was just the Caravan folks were the only folks who were willing to overlook a bust only a month prior.

Short Bus - Love the Colgan comment (land of misfit pilots).... sounds like my kinda place... and I have an interview (face to face, not just phone) later this month...

Thanks again

chignutsak

Eagle would not even interview a buddy of mine who had washed out of a 'major' regional's training program.