patjrybak

Any idea what the training is like at UAL? Time, location, ground, sim?

Cheers,

Adlerdriver

Maybe it's me, but this seems like a strange question to post in the military section. You’ll probably get more replies if you put your question in the majors section. Are you hired and just wondering what you got yourself into? Still on active duty and trying to decide what comes next? Maybe you could be more specific about the info you want.

I did UAL training 14+ years ago, so my info probably won’t help you much. I can give you an overview, if that helps. When I went through, they paid per diem during new hire training along with a basic minimum monthly salary (I think it was $2K/month). That’s what it still is at Fedex. All housing expenses during new hire training were on you. This is fairly typical of most airlines, but YMMV.

Generally speaking, major airline training is pretty much the same, no matter which company you're talking about. You'll probably spend a couple of weeks in a new-hire indoctrination course learning basics about the company, procedures, scheduling, policies, etc. During that time, a process will be used to determine which aircraft you will fly and where you'll be based (how that is done varies from airline to airline).

Specific aircraft training: Usually about a week of computer based systems training along with classroom instruction provided by non-pilot professional instructors. After that, it's typically another week(maybe slightly longer) of procedural training in a non-motion, non-visual fully functioning cockpit training device(usually called an FMT). Finally, probably a couple of weeks of simulator training. Simulators are full motion, full visual sims authorized by the FAA to fulfill all training requirements. Your first actual flight with the company will be with a load of paying pax in the back.

You're usually paired up with another new-hire and will take turns supporting each other during the FMT and sim training periods. Each phase of training ends with some type of "validation" check before you move on. Most companies have something in their contract requiring at least a day off each week, maybe more. Your final checkride will be an FAA check event usually with you in the right seat with a support captain (usually a line pilot instructor) acting as the captain. Figure a total of 6-8 weeks, best case, from day one until you head out for IOE (initial operating experience) for a few trips (usually 25 hours) under the supervision of an IP. Usually you go to the normal year one pay once you have your sim check or maybe as late as completion of IOE.

Hope that helps.

Dragon7

To each their own. Maybe TK back in the day was great. Wasn't there so taking the word of others on that. But Houston CAL schoolhouse was good. Some areas can be critiqued, but overall flight instruction was great. Syllabus was good. Ground school average. Indoc enjoyable. Paid first year pay from day 1 of training. Hotel. Per diem. Positive space on days off and IOE. Betting doing Indoc in Denver and training at both spots will make it better.

There are other places to work. Choose well.

Dragon7

Thought your post might have been in that tone. Bottom line is training is not an issue to consider either way when considering United. It is Initial Training. Like everybody else who does it better when it is done.

Show up for Indoc. Enjoy 8 ball. Get ahead on CBT. Prepare for every event. Forget how you did it elsewhere. Move on.

Snarge

When do you go through Houston for initial indoc? Your first major/legacy?

What do you have to compare IAH training to? MIL? Regionals?

patjrybak

Thanks everyone for the intel. It helps greatly. Most of the guys I interviewed with in September were military so I thought that some may have knowledge of the process. I have done cargo, regionals, and corporate. Hired into a pool expecting December/January class date. Cheers

Dragon7

This past summer. Military via traditional FRS, rotary to FW transition, multiple type ratings done both as a civilian and on contract from military, and a training background from sim IP to FRS instructor/TMS evaluator and from curricula model manager to acquisition and development of an entire training center including sim purchase, upgrade, CBT, and establishment of passing standards. Not an expert but know a little bit and did stay at a Doubletree during training.

Things could be better in few places but in my opinion the substandard claim is unfounded. The oft repeated claim of trailers at Houston is bizarre. As is the disdain for the food choices. Maybe if vegan or halal is your thing but otherwise good to go. Think some ground school instructors could be improved. Schedule can be a challenge sleep wise. But there is free beer every Tuesday after your first Tuesday so maybe I am easily impressed.

Very doable.

Snarge

Hope you get to TK one day.... my experience from Airbus TK and IAH Guppy was vast.

From the food out of coolers (hey who doesn't like Rosa!) compared to the full service cafeteria (and walkable commercial sites) at TK.

TK upgraded with a Capt., IAH went thru with FO... meaning, at TK they give the upgrade the long course regardless, whereas at IAH, they give upgrades the short course....

At IAH, the instructors were hardly around for two lessons... switching too often combined with 'techniques' it got a bit frustrating. Having said that the IAH instructors genuinely were interested in your success and if you were determined to succeed and had the right attitude, they support was proper.

Didn't like the scabs...

Dragon7

Hence my ground school issue with the scabs. Wouldn't want to be in their shoes. Think TK Indoc will be good. As we go down the road of cross polinization on uniforms and employee numbers think both sides will bring improvements to the table and that would include training. I do hope to go through training out there sometime. During interview though TK cafeteria seemed to be handled not by Julia Childs clones but sweet child of mine types. But I am good with Rosa and the Brisket guy . But then again I enjoyed IOE.