Being an insturctor at the Big Three
04-17-2015 | 02:44 PM
#11
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,521
Likes: 70
From: MD-11 FO
Why does AA have to do things so odd compared to other carriers in almost every area. Doing it that way both lowers the value of the training and costs pilot jobs. 
Our biggest issues at DL with standardization is with them... and it's not their fault. It's a function of having someone that doesn't fly the line teaching line ops. What Timbo described at DL is true.... right now on my fleet there are around 14 CA instructors (and APDs), 17 FO instructors, and around 20-25 non-seniority list instructors (about half of which are qualified in the full motion sims, the rest of which are procedures trainer only). In our latest contract negotiations, we are trying to recapture more instructor slots back to line pilots as the old retired pilots that are now NSLI's retire (again). Non-instructors are not allowed to seat fill in sim sessions (although it is allowed for a line pilot to volunteer for that in the contract, it is flight ops policy to not utilize that section), and for checkrides only seniority list instructors are allowed to seat fill.
Our biggest issues at DL with standardization is with them... and it's not their fault. It's a function of having someone that doesn't fly the line teaching line ops. What Timbo described at DL is true.... right now on my fleet there are around 14 CA instructors (and APDs), 17 FO instructors, and around 20-25 non-seniority list instructors (about half of which are qualified in the full motion sims, the rest of which are procedures trainer only). In our latest contract negotiations, we are trying to recapture more instructor slots back to line pilots as the old retired pilots that are now NSLI's retire (again). Non-instructors are not allowed to seat fill in sim sessions (although it is allowed for a line pilot to volunteer for that in the contract, it is flight ops policy to not utilize that section), and for checkrides only seniority list instructors are allowed to seat fill.The requirement for Sim Ps is that you must be able to obtain a type rating in the airplane and you must have had experience flying the line. I don't like it, either, but we're told that's the wAAy it is.
04-17-2015 | 03:23 PM
#13
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Joined: Aug 2011
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I was wondering how one becomes an Instructor at AA/UA/DL ? Also, I was wondering if instructors are put on the pilot seniority list. At my regional airline, instructors are on the pilot seniority list on day one. However at JetBlue, the departments are separate and you are not put on the seniority list, also you are not in CASS so commuting is not possible.
If you work at AA/UA/DL, could you share your insights on being an instructor and if you can ever fly the line?
If you work at AA/UA/DL, could you share your insights on being an instructor and if you can ever fly the line?
You can apply for a number after one year at JetBlue as an instructor. PM me if you want to discuss.
04-17-2015 | 05:34 PM
#14
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,521
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From: MD-11 FO
04-17-2015 | 07:11 PM
#15
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 4,107
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FWIW, at NWA, anytime the sim motion was on (which meant for all full flight sims & checks), a seniority list instructor was required. Seat fill required a seniority list pilot. Any checking event required a SLI.
NWA ran a combined program, and most, but not all, NWA IPs were also checkairmen, and did OE & line checks as well. In practice, there were some IPs who only did OE, and line checks were usually done by the most senior (in program) IPs.
It was also not a full time job. It averaged 6 months a year, with 2 months on the line and 2 in the box. You also had to be able to hold your equipment, and if you bid off (or got bumped), you lost your IP gig.
NWA did utilize non-seniority Aircrew Training Instructors for ground school and some procedures training. There was a program for them to get hired on the seniority list.
Nu
NWA ran a combined program, and most, but not all, NWA IPs were also checkairmen, and did OE & line checks as well. In practice, there were some IPs who only did OE, and line checks were usually done by the most senior (in program) IPs.
It was also not a full time job. It averaged 6 months a year, with 2 months on the line and 2 in the box. You also had to be able to hold your equipment, and if you bid off (or got bumped), you lost your IP gig.
NWA did utilize non-seniority Aircrew Training Instructors for ground school and some procedures training. There was a program for them to get hired on the seniority list.
Nu
04-18-2015 | 03:14 AM
#16
On Reserve
Joined: Apr 2013
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AA will hire military only pilots as Sim P's. I know this because I was offered a job and I have only Military C-130 and B737 instructor experience. Going the Sim P route is not the way to the line though. I was told that right away.
04-18-2015 | 05:42 AM
#17
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04-18-2015 | 06:47 AM
#18
Bye Bye Maddog!
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 560
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From: Movin' On UP........
pizzed me off when I got the first 737a upgrade seat in my class, and when I boarded the jet for my first IOE, there was a classmate, junior to me, sitting there in a Capt's outfit.?!?!?!?!
SLI instructor for 8 +/- years flying as Capt. on a jet he couldn't hold as A......
And there were guys 4000 # junior to anyone training on the MD(9)11.....
It isn't always right!
SLI instructor for 8 +/- years flying as Capt. on a jet he couldn't hold as A......
And there were guys 4000 # junior to anyone training on the MD(9)11.....
It isn't always right!
04-18-2015 | 08:46 AM
#19
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 20,899
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They do simulators. Just had a instructor who left Emirates to take the insructor job at Delta.
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