I am sure it has been addressed before

I am scheduled for April 28 GS, this is my first major airline job in the USA.

How long does the training take?

What factors will determine which aircraft is assigned?

How long will it take to hold a line?

The commute thing, I presently live in Costa Rica, would you Guys/gals recommend commuting from here?

Which aircraft is better 717 737 in the sence of trips?

Any additional info is greatly appreciated, specially for those co-workers that live abroad and commute.

Cheers

 

First of all, Congrads on being hired. You should give yourself a pad on the back.

Now get down to business, training is breaking down into 4 parts:

1) Indoc (Getting to know the company, couple free lunches, CRM, Self-defense class, cool-aid feeding sessions It is 2 weeks worth.

2) Then you will be loose for the next 3 weeks or so, while you'll be using the computers across the hall to study for specific a/c systems (CBT). You will be very familiar with the mouse, and the right click button. There will be quizzes, exams, and there's no grading.

3) In the middle of your CBT training, you will also start your VPT (Virtual procedure trainer) alternatively with your ongoing CBT training. It is a 4 hour block, 2 students- 1 instructor setting, in a touch-screen mock-up of the a/c you've been assigned. Also, it will teach you the necessary skills to work the FMS. It is to reinforce what you've learned or not learned in CBT, and also teach you the various flows/checklist usage in your next stage of training, SIM.

4) You will have 6 sim sessions (i may be wrong on this), 4 hour block each. You will be given a stage check, and then oral exam, sim check by an APD.

You may have heard horror stories about the training dept, but rest assured, if you keep a good attitude, willing to learn, they'll work with you to get you through. Basically you should be done from first day of indoc to checkride in about 8 weeks or so.

Don't worry too much about the details, your indoc instructor will explain your whole training schedule.

 

jet320,

Congrats on getting the job! It sounds like AirTran has a good training program (I've seen others that try and combine/fire-hose too much together).

How was the interview process? I've got one in a few weeks and would appreciate any info...

Thanks.

 

Are you seriously thinking about commuting from Costa Rica to Atlanta back and forth once a week? I'm sure it can be done but your days off will be spent commuting. Congrats on getting hired btw.

 

I know that there is an AirTran pilot who is from St Lucia and was thinking of commuting, but his wife wasn't too keen on it. I gave him a JS ride down there a while back. It wouldn't be too hard, although we only have one flight a day (DAL.)

 

Correct, the gent from St. Lucia was in my class at AT but I believe he ended up moving from St. Lucia.

 

As far as the commuting aspect, I go from Tampa to Anchorage 2-3 times a month. I think I'm measured it last time and it came out a whole lotta miles...about 4,100.

The big difference for me, is that it is United States to United States obviously and once I get to ANC, my trip is usually one long leg then to the hotel.

It gets old quick, but after awhile you just "do it", just like going to dinner at your in-laws..it's not that bad after awhile.

Here's the website I use for commuting, it's free.

http://www.eskyguide.com/search/inde...=36&submit.y=5


I'm not sure if Costa Rico is covered.
Good Luck with the commute...Congrats on the job.

FF

 

At a previous airline I used to fly in and out of Liberia, Costa Rica and we always saw American, Continental, and Delta jets at the terminal. Good luck to you, you'll like it at Citrus.

 

Hi thanks everyone, as I understand I will be in reserve for at least 6 months, sorry for the stupid question, I am 4 hours away from Atlanta with Delta what is the reserve all about?

 

Commuting from Costa Rica??? That's gonna get old very, very quick. I promise you