stoki

To the guys in the majors, out of the airliners/commuters you have flown in the past (please list) what has been the most challenging to learn, and get through training, and what has been the easiest for you?

For example in the past you flew a SAAB340, and your next job was on an A320 or 737. Which was harder to get through? Why? Also, on a level of ease, training on which type (that you flew) would be easier to get through for say a 250hr Comm. pilot? And why? Hypothetically speaking.

Just curious as to who flew what, and why you thought that particular type was more difficult for you.

Tumbleweed

hypothetically speaking, tell your friend to keep flight instructing until he has 1,000 hours like the rest of us did.

stoki

People all over the world in other countries have been, and continue to get into the right seats of airliners the size of 320's and 737s with 300TT and a TR whether anybody likes it or not, or thinks they deserve it or not.

That said, that is not what this thread was intended to be about, I am just bored and curious as to what people have been flying and... well as the original post states.

rvr350

Excellent question. It depends on the trainee's aviation background (mil vs. prev. 121), age, attitude(the most important attribute to successfully passing any training program)...With someone who has gone thru 121 training flying a Saab, you wouldn't have much trouble going thru any training problem. I believe most regional airlines do train their newhires very well, up to the standard FAA imposes on them (FWIW), but since the experience level of the trainees vary greatly, therefore, it may seem to most that the training program is daunting. That said, not all training programs at the majors are built the same. Some uses the more traditional route, 10 sims then checkride, and some has AQP (Advance Qual. Program), which is more progressive, and more lenient, in my opinion. But i haven't heard too many horror story of guys busting so badly from major airlines (since you mention 737/a320) that they get fired, so I think as long as you keep a good attitude, you'll do just fine.

Hope it helped.

Skytremor

Generally, your first training experience in 121 OPS should be the most nerve racking. Different people learn different topics at various pace and the ease of learning an aircraft can also be based on effort intelligence, and to some extent the training program itself. Having gone through military training, getting my ratings as a CFI, CFII, and 121 training in 5 different jets, I personally believe that it got easier each time. This was mainly due to familiarity and knowing what to expect despite different procedures. Regardless, I still had to applied myself to each program and often tried to stay ahead of the curve using information from classmates (gouges), and even spending the extra time observing others during their events.

However you attack a training events, if you show the instructors your willingness to listen and learn (Cooperate and Graduate), most will help you get through a program. Good luck.

Cycle Pilot

The most difficult part is making it through first year pay. Training and flying are easy!

Patch

What he said...

ksuav8r

Yep...your first is always the worst.

Once you've done it, you now know how to study...what's important...and what's not...how to relax and learn in the sim...the list goes on, you get the point.

And that said...a little bit of this helps too:

AAflyer

I would tend to agree that your first is your worst. My 1900 training seemed more difficult than my 767/757 Type years down the road.

The one exception was my second job as a B727 FE, by far the most difficult for me.

AAflyer

IndyAir Guy

After 3 Boeing Types, transitioning to the Airbus is the hardest thing I have done yet. Their logic is polar opposite and in the heat of battle I usually apply Boeing logic to Airbus and get things wrong. I am learning but slowly.