Wow. Something is amiss if 50% is the washout rate. Sounds like a failure of their training program, hiring practices, or both. What kind of background do these people have?

 

3/4 made it in my class. The one that didn't make it was a great guy and had almost 10,000 hrs but had not flown in years. He got behind and just couldn't catch up. They gave him every opportunity and worked one on one with him but in the end he resigned. Once again the training at PSA was harder than the training that I received at Colgan. But I was more prepared for the line at PSA than 9L. If you study, are willing to stay after your CBT's and go to the paper tigers and do flows and get ready for the next day you wont have a problem. They are not out to fail you, but they are not there to hold your hand. You have 24/7 access to the training center and there are some days you may be there from 8 AM to 8PM going over things and doing things to be ready for the next day.

 

Sounds as if dedication and preparation count a lot toward getting through it. I guess in some cases it just boils down to how bad you want to succeed at it. I guess I am of the mindset that you shouldn't be scared of it but rather you should just make up your mind that you're going to get through it and be willing to do whatever it takes to do so. Thanks, bradeku, for the advice. Keep it coming. For those who have read previous posts....I have the CRJ Oral study guide that has been mentioned in this thread. I would recommend getting it. It's a little dry at first and seems like a waste of time but once you get the terminologies and acronyms down, it gets easier. Good luck to all.

 

Having access to the training center 24/7 is a big plus. Take advantage of it. I remember being up there at 2 am whether to practice flows on the paper tiger or work on the fms. You'll be told to pick a sim partner while in ground school. Choose someone that's easy to get along with and is as motivated as you are. You will HAVE TO spend alot of time together. Your month in Dayton will consist of 5 on and weekends off. Weekends aren't time to go home or catch up on your favorite shows. You will need those days to absorb what you learned in class. Again, get with folks and study. Oh, and be able to spit out the limitations as well as you can the pledge of allegiance. The instructors are great and will help you as much as they can (4 years ago anyways). Their willingness to help will however will depend on your attitude. YOU MUST HAVE A GOOD ATTITUDE TO GET THROUGH.

 

Thanks for the tip.

 

The training department has always been more than generous with helping out the guys and gals who need an extra hand. It's important to remember that this is not instrument or multi class...you should know your regs and stuff like that before you show up. I've seen a lot of guys who struggle tend to be weak on FARs and procedures. That is not something you want to be catching up on while learning this aircraft. It's complex. Not space shuttle complex but it requires a good amount of study and after a long time flying it I still learn new stuff about it all the time. Show up with a good attitude and know what you should know and the training should go fine.

Some folks do fall into the boredom trap. You have so much self directed time for study and practice that it's often easier to get locked into watching TV or screwing around. Dayton is a very boring place and it takes a good amount of discipline to keep on it. The training guys are awesome and want you to pass, but they aren't there to be your parents. A little bit of accountability is certainly in order to be successful!

 

Like I said, if there is ACTUALLY a 50% washout rate something is wrong with training OR hiring practices. If what you say is true than they are not doing their due dilligence attracting or hiring qualified and motivated canditates. I have a hard time believing that they are not out there. Then again I've been doing 135 for the last 3.5 years and really struggle with the thought of going to a regional with a doubtful future for something in the 20K range (Not necessarily talking PSA, just a regional in general, I'm a west coast guy anyway) This would nearly mean a 50% pay cut for me. I do however think there are probably tons of CFI's with plenty of time who are highly motivated that would do well and work their butts off to get through training in this job market who wouldn't suffer a drastic pay cut from the change.

 

If there is indeed a 50% washout it's because of our unique hiring and training. I could see maybe 3 out of 10 being sent home after typical hiring and training of candidates but..

..for some reason PSA has been sending home some high time, high experience folks. My guess is attitude and ability to fall into place with training were their problem. Also, when stuck in Vandalia OH for a month or so you need to be resourceful. I suggest you drive yourself and at least bring a road or mountain bike (there are some decent MTB trails around.) Being stuck there with no real transportation is a bad idea. If you fly yourself in/out be prepared to find a buddy with a car or cab it. Vandalia is rural and I'm not sure where the recent hotel is located. The training is still Vandalia OH. We used to have a hotel that was part of the training center building and it sucked as far as quality is concerned. It has since been torn down. Not sure what's going on now but I hear the hotels are much nicer.

Working at PSA is the same as any regional.. it is a J O B. You fly and are stuck on the road a lot. Once you become a junior line holder (off reserve) you can expect ~$900 on the 5th and and ~$1300 on the 20th of each month take home pay. The rest is tied up in 401k, health care options, union dues, etc.. Training pay is decent but as soon you finish IOE you take a massive pay cut as you're reduced to 72 hrs and not much per-diem. Our most senior echelon commute to CLT and DAY because of old bases being closed (PIT and CAK.) Those folks make 6 figures with 14 or 15 days off a month.

Want to live in a solid cultured base? As a new hire you'll be in TYS which happens to be the most junior base and also the most uncommutable. East TN is BEAUTIFUL by the way.

Have fun!

 

Been to PSA and didn't go back. Seafeye and Bassslayer paint a bleak, but accurate, picture. Unless you are single, live in base, and have no debt -- don't go there. If you commute, the 10 off (3,3,4) turns into 4 (1,1,2) because they never tell you what shift you are on (so have to plan to be there for the morning) and you never get released until the very end (last flight out is GONE). There really isn't/wasn't a formal commuting clause -- that'll suck in the winter with irregular ops. I went there from a smaller regional, but the reserve was 1000x better. No, it really is that bad. I bet they will find a way to hold off getting a new contract until the 200 leases expire (2015, right?) then just fold up shop. Is there a severance plan in the current contract?

 

is there still a time limit for the written?