Mistakes on probation
 

Ok folks. I am looking for comparisons on how new hires are treated on probation. Most of us know that at Eagle, while in initial training you have the 3 strikes your out policy. If, during your probie ride, which is 10mths into your 12mth probation, you bust, that is, again, 1 of 3 allowed strikes against you. HOWEVER. If you make an error on the line, when you are working, they can fire you at will. Which, they seem to like to do, as they are so worried about liablility issues. I have heard other regionals are not like that. I have heard that others will train to proficiency, and if you make an error on the line, assuming it's not catastrophic, they will retrain you, or just counsel you on how to improve. Is Eagle really the only commuter that is quick to fire their new hires during their one year probabtion?

My brief experience with eagle leads me to believe that they might operate the way you describe, and enjoy it too! Nothing like hazing the frosh for cheap entertainment!

Historically, many airlines would fire a new hire for anything, and if nobody scewed up they would pick someone at random and fire him just to keep everybody on their toes. This has largely gone by the wayside, and I would ceratinly expect 2-3 strikes online at most carriers...as long as gross stupidity is not involved. If you're gonna miss your show time, tell them in advance...

Common screwups (I have experience with most of these):

- No-show due to misreading schedule: Look at your sched EVERY SINGLE DAY, even on days off. Double check your military time conversion. 2000 vs. 2200 gets a lot of folks, I've done that and I've been in the military for 20 years!

- Check your time zone, and use two alarm clocks (wake up calls are unreliable). Your cell phone has an alarm, but be warned that in cities near a time zone they can switch back and forth at random. You REALLY have to watch your wakeup when you have a deadhead...your own crew won't leave without you, but a deadhead will.

- On reserve, check your cell phone reception constantly, and check for messages...sometimes they don't ring but roll straight to VM.

- Booze: Hopefully you have an 8 hour rule...that one's easy, don't F*&^ with it. If you get too sloshed and are going to flammable at show time, call in sick. TSA is on the look out for pilots who just crawled out of the pub. If you have a 12 hour rule...that's a personal choice, but don't violate it at the hotel (they know what time you report) or with anyone who has less to lose than you (FAs).

- Use discretion if you get friendly with FA's. They are not all level-headed adults.

- Be careful what you say in public on airplanes or in airports, even if out of uniform.

- Bend an airplane or violate a reg. Your best bet is probably honesty with the company...usually they will just make you do a PC and call it good.

What do you mean by making an error on the line? Making a mistake programing the FMS or something?

I am not familiar with training contract companies. Would it be enforced if someone was fired on probation or at any time if fired?

Enforced if you leave voluntarily.

By error I am talking about failure to complete a checklist, busting a PC, doing a walk around and not noticing an item out of sync. That kind of stuff. I am not talking about bending an airplane. Although, that would, be very serious. Once your off probation, you are allowed to make mistakes. You will keep your job. While on probation, you are not allowed to be human and make mistakes. You MUST be perfect for 12mths. At Eagle, anyway. How do other carriers compare?

there are many ways to make mistakes everyday but not much forgiveness in your probation period...i think the company looks at many aspects before kicking you to the curb.

just try to do the samething the same way everytime...follow the book

some capts like to do it their way but you need to do it by the book...

the plane i fly documents everything from knob turn to trim flick...

i flew with a capt once that was completly by the book. he is a great guy but flies by the numbers and i ended up doing it to because thats how he wanted it done. ended up paying off big time a couple of weeks later when we had an emergency on take off.

Eagle is not as hard nosed as you make them. I know of many people who messed up on probabtion with little things like not making it in on thier commute to work. If you can't pass a PC they will drop you. I know of one recently who busted thier oral on the PC the first time, passed the second, then busted the sim. They were offered a last chance but decided to give up and quit. Everyone makes mistakes but if you actually go through all the points in the point system after having flown the plane for the last year, you must be in a coma and/or brain dead.

Tell me more.