Piedmont's AQP
 

What is the difference between Piedmont's AQP program and the rest of the industry's ground schools? I have spent quite a bit of time try to find the answer in older threads but haven't found much of anything.

Is there a final checkride or is it more of standardization sims with a sign off?
Is the ground school portion all self study?


I would just like to know what I would be getting myself into by submitting my application to Piedmont (and hopefully getting hired).

Thanks a bunch!

AQP is Piedmonts way around teaching a full systems ground school and putting the full responsibility on the trainee to learn what will not be taught.

after spending a week of going over indoc stuff at the new job, I kinda prefer PDT's drinking from a firehose version....right now I'm bored outta my mind

So is there a final checkride or oral.... or what? I take it that it is a self study course but how do they go about sims and everything else beyond learning about the dash on your own?

groundschool is 8 days... 3 tests (FOM/INDOC, Limitations, Systems).. 85% or better and you pass. you have to pass each test before progressing, fail one and it takes 90% to pass. once you pass the systems test you move on to APT (aircraft procedures training) either at an outstation on the actual airplane or in the sim. after 3 nights of the procedures training you move onto the sim. 5 lessons then a maneuver validation (MV)... train to proficiency so you can get 2 "re-do's" if you screw something up. 2 line oriented sim lessons where you actually go somewhere and complete flights and the 9th sim is the line oriented evaluation (LOE). That's it... 5-6 weeks and you're out. After a couple of months online you're qualified for your regional of choice, unless you stick around like me hoping for new airplanes,growth and/or the flowthrough! :(

I'm in PDT's July 9th class so I have all that to look forward to. I talked to a couple guys in the May 16th class and they actually got done in a month. Piedmont is just desperate to get them out on the line. Whether that continues remains to be seen. For now, I'm just gonna bury myself in the home study packet.

they'll work with you, for the most part the instructors are great. just study and they'll get you through.... we need pilots bad

Is their any reserve time right now????? Or can oyu hold a line right off the bat???

In most bases you can hold a line right away

cool thanks@!!!

I was talking to guys in the May 16th class and it seems like their class was gonna be taking the last of the lines. The classes after them are most likely gonna be on reserve, but probably not for long.

Is there any type of referral bonus for those employees who refer applicants who actually make it through ground school?

I heard PDT pilots get $250 for refering other pilots, but only after SOE.

and another 250 if they stay for 6 months

Anyone want to make 500 bones?

I guess that seems to be the big problem huh??

And if there are no upgrades or movement in the company going on, why are they needing pilots so bad? Is it because al the f/o's are leaving?? If so, why are all the f/o's leaving?? I really haven't heard much negative about Piedmont but you have to wonder whats going on?

That's about the size of it. I think it's rare to have new hires make it all the way through probation before jumping ship. I don't usually talk smack on the forums, but in the two years since I bailed, I haven't regretted for one second leaving...I only regret that I didn't leave sooner.

I was off probation 12 days ago and today was my last day...and what a day it was. Let's just say PDT did a great job reminding me why I'm leaving. :eek:
Anyway, as for the reserve question, I've been on reserve the entire time I've been here, so it does happen.

Ouch! Where are (were) you based?

I didn't even stick around that long - Aug 06-Apr 07.

Previous, recent threads accessed by the search function:

http://www.airlinepilotforums.com/sh...ad.php?t=12444

http://www.airlinepilotforums.com/sh...ad.php?t=11081

Both explain why PDT is where it is in detail. There is nothing to wonder about, local mismanagement mixed with control of the purse strings from an uncaring or complacent US Airways management, combine better deals to be had for pilots elsewhere and you begin to get the current PDT.

Any one knows the actual washout rate of this program ?????