Spirit and ERAU contract deal
12-02-2007, 08:52 PM
#22
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Joined APC: Mar 2005
Position: 767 captain
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UPS hired a few 300 hour Purdue guys in the 90's. I don't know why exactly, maybe just to see if it could be done. Those guys did well and I can think of one that is a Z captain now. Actually he was on the seniority bubble for a while and has probably been a captain on most everything. I'm not applauding the Riddle program, just saying that it can be safely done. Hell, most of the majors in the 60's did it, some hiring private pilots and paying them to finish their tickets. Now THAT'S a pilot shortage!
12-02-2007, 09:42 PM
#23
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Joined APC: Feb 2006
Position: C47 PIC/747-400 SIC
Posts: 2,100
hey more power to those kids for getting a shot at a seat like that. if they pass the pc and ioe and have constructive attitudes, there is no problem. i learned a lot slogging through imc in the DC3,but that type of education isn't as relevant as it used to be in a world where even 172's have glass.
12-02-2007, 09:45 PM
#24
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Joined APC: Feb 2006
Posts: 292
Originally Posted by 767pilot
UPS hired a few 300 hour Purdue guys in the 90's. I don't know why exactly, maybe just to see if it could be done. Those guys did well and I can think of one that is a Z captain now. Actually he was on the seniority bubble for a while and has probably been a captain on most everything. I'm not applauding the Riddle program, just saying that it can be safely done. Hell, most of the majors in the 60's did it, some hiring private pilots and paying them to finish their tickets. Now THAT'S a pilot shortage!
Sure. It probably can be done safely. After 10 years of flying for UPS, he might have the same level of skill and experience as most new hires. However the question is, what happens if something goes wrong in those first 10 years? Should we all just cross our fingers?
12-02-2007, 10:36 PM
#25
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Joined APC: Sep 2006
Position: 737 FO
Posts: 148
Originally Posted by Packer Backer
Sure. It probably can be done safely. After 10 years of flying for UPS, he might have the same level of skill and experience as most new hires. However the question is, what happens if something goes wrong in those first 10 years? Should we all just cross our fingers?
12-03-2007, 03:46 AM
#26
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Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Right Seat 744
Posts: 946
With enough time and money, anybody can learn to fly anything. When things become abnormal (engine, hydraulic, electrical failure, etc), thats when a true pilot emerges. Nothing can replace judgement, and that comes with actual FLYING experience.
12-03-2007, 03:50 AM
#27
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Joined APC: Jun 2007
Position: 757/767
Posts: 890
Originally Posted by FNG1
For those who say is impossible jumping to a mayor right after college, this thread is for you. As part of a new program Spirit Airlines hired 8 Embry-Riddle students (recently graduated or graduating in December) to be line pilots for the A320.
I’m currently a CFI here in ERAU, and some of my colleges were among those hired. This has increased big time motivation in the school and interest in keep a good GPA (3.5 needed for this program)
The program was created after Spirit came last semester looking for flight instructors to teach their ground lab. The idea was to hire CFIs who would work for 2 years in their ground training, and then they would have the option to apply for a flying position. Only one person applied and was selected for that program. Once working in Spirit as a ground instructor, this person demonstrated good leadership and knowledge and when there was a need for pilots they selected her for pilot training, she passed everything flawless and it was then when they decided to come back to ERAU and look for pilots this time.
This program is a test program, where they are going to see how these 8 folks go through their training. If is successful like the previous ERAU graduate, then they said they will come back next semester.
I’m currently a CFI here in ERAU, and some of my colleges were among those hired. This has increased big time motivation in the school and interest in keep a good GPA (3.5 needed for this program)
The program was created after Spirit came last semester looking for flight instructors to teach their ground lab. The idea was to hire CFIs who would work for 2 years in their ground training, and then they would have the option to apply for a flying position. Only one person applied and was selected for that program. Once working in Spirit as a ground instructor, this person demonstrated good leadership and knowledge and when there was a need for pilots they selected her for pilot training, she passed everything flawless and it was then when they decided to come back to ERAU and look for pilots this time.
This program is a test program, where they are going to see how these 8 folks go through their training. If is successful like the previous ERAU graduate, then they said they will come back next semester.
12-03-2007, 06:07 AM
#28
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Joined APC: Sep 2006
Position: A320
Posts: 133
What I dont get is there are people with a few types, thousands of hours of 121 PIC and they dont even get called for a interview. I know a few that are still waiting for a interview at Spirit, yet they would rather get a Riddle wonder with no experiance? Guess that will guarente that they wont jump ship in a few months.
12-03-2007, 07:26 AM
#29
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Joined APC: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,425
Originally Posted by whiskerbizkit
What I dont get is there are people with a few types, thousands of hours of 121 PIC and they dont even get called for a interview. I know a few that are still waiting for a interview at Spirit, yet they would rather get a Riddle wonder with no experiance? Guess that will guarente that they wont jump ship in a few months.
A guy with 300 TT is gonna vote yes for a crappy contract, be intimidated, and want to hang around because he's got so much invested in the company. Someone with TPIC, a few types, and Airbus time is major material and will bail at the first opportunity.
Something about Spirit doesn't sit right with me. They could be losing hundreds of millions a year, we wouldn't know about it. That being said, if I had 300 hours TT and had to chose between a regional and Spirit, I know where I'd chose (Spirit). But for those with at least some experience, I wouldn't go there. Just my $0.02.
12-03-2007, 10:55 AM
#30
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Joined APC: Nov 2006
Position: A320 Captain
Posts: 194
Originally Posted by 767pilot
UPS hired a few 300 hour Purdue guys in the 90's. I don't know why exactly, maybe just to see if it could be done. Those guys did well and I can think of one that is a Z captain now. Actually he was on the seniority bubble for a while and has probably been a captain on most everything. I'm not applauding the Riddle program, just saying that it can be safely done. Hell, most of the majors in the 60's did it, some hiring private pilots and paying them to finish their tickets. Now THAT'S a pilot shortage!
The difference was that in the 60's "private pilots" got hired and sat as an FE for many years before Upgrading to FO.
As I said earlier in this thread you can teach a monkey to fly just about anything. Its real world experience that makes the difference.
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