PSA Cadet Program Question
 

Does anyone know how the PSA cadet program works?
I've done all of my flight training part 61, and will be a CFI next month. The flight school I'm looking to instruct at is one of their partner schools, and I'm curious if you can join as a CFI (having not done my training at their school/or a partner school)?

Also- Is their program have any similarities to Envoy's program? I know for sure they offer their CFIs company seniority, travel pass, etc. all while a CFI at one of their partner schools.

It’s a relatively new program. Doubt anyone can speak with authority.

My suggestion: get your mel/mei asap and start networking. The airline hiring vacuum is sucking part 91 turbine jobs dry. Find yourself some sic>pic jobs

The way this industry changes overnight your best bet is to focus on getting your restricted ATP times, then look at all the regionals that have the pay, bases, quality of life, or aircraft that you are interested in and just apply there.

Cadet programs tend to put you in contact with recruiters who will pick and choose what parts of the truth to tell you to get you in the door.

Almost everywhere is hiring so there's no need to waste time with a cadet program.

This is a excellent point. The reason these programs exist is that candidates have SO many choices the companies are scrounging for cheap ways to recruit (as opposed to paying their captive employees better).

Cadet programs are an attempt to buy cheap young souls and they exist only to help the company.

Biggest thing to remember is PSA’s program doesn’t require a commitment until you choose to receive the tuition reembursment. A great opportunity to network and really find out if PSA is where you wanna be.

I'd be careful with that, recruiters are known for blowing smoke.

Key points for PSA.

-they're offering a $20,000 retention bonuses paid out over year 2 and 3. In practice you'll be very very lucky to see even half of that because you'll be forced to upgrade the second you hit 1,000 hours which most get in a year and a half.

-reserve, as an FO you won't be on reserve for long unless you want Charlotte. Once they force you into upgrade though welcome to Captain reserve. We have hands down the worst reserve rules in the industry. That may change, but for now scheduling can do pretty much anything they want to you and you're stuck dealing with it.

-pay, it's not at the very bottom but we are very much on the low end of regional pay especially when it's combined with painfully low credit trips.

-flow: we flow 10 a month to mainline... So assuming you start tomorrow as the 1,900 pilot at PSA and we assume an additional 10 pilots a month Senior to you leave every month you're looking at about 8.25 years to flow with 9-10 years being more realistic.

If all that sounds good, then once again wait and see how PSA compares once it's time to make the jump. For now I really would advise to just focus on building your time and enjoying where you are. You'll be *****ing about the airlines before you know it haha.

Yes, you can join as a CFI and many do. You’d go right to a cadet instructor, meaning you would do your HR and technical interview right off the bat.

No special benefits like almost every other regional with a similar program. I’ve brought this up to people from the Cadet recruiters all the way up to Dion...nothing has come of it. Only benefit would be being invited to the twice a year events, networking, and the opportunity to receive additional scholarships (I think 5 grand each).

If you have any further questions, don’t hesitate to ask. This isn’t an awful place like people make it out to be, but everyone has their opinions. Nearly everyone I have flown with has been great, having the highest level of flight benefits is an underrated benefit, chief pilots are helpful, and crew scheduling has been helpful with almost all of my requests. Pay may be lagging but I didn’t come here for the pay.