Training Programs
 

Which regional airlines have the best training programs for someone going through 121 training for the first time? I am a CFI now and I am deathly afraid that when I make the jump I will fail training and my career will be over. Thats dramatic I know but thats how I feel. I feel like I am a capable pilot and I am ready to fly a big shiny jet, (Kidding) I just want to make sure I go to an airline that provides actual training and takes time to go over stuff thouroughlly and doesn't expect me to come into it knowing everything already. I've heard Horizon and Expressjet are good. Any thoughts?

In my experience, Air Wisconsin had very good ground training and excellent FBS/simulator training.

Mesaba. Read RJ85FO posts regarding Mesaba hiring.

I have to admit I feel the same way.

99% of the airlines will do the fire hose training method. Just dont open your mouth under water.

I went through mesa's training and XJT's.

Mesa's was a learn it your self type of approach, and a class of about 42.

XJT has classes of 16 thats it so personal time with the inst. basically:D , oh i can go on and on...
:D

There are a few folks in the 91 world that can't get through 121 training on turbine aircraft. In 91 the training is often tailored a bit to the individual and extra training is usually available, depending on your employer.

In 121 not only do you have to be able to fly the airplane, you also have to be able to get through the process without a lot of extra training. This is strictly a money thing, the airlines don't like to spend any more dough than absolutely necessary when training pilots.

Mesa will hire anybody, but they have a 10-30% fail rate depending on the aircraft. SKW (and other carriers) are selective about who they hire and they have about a 1% fail rate. This doesn't mean their training is easier, but if you get past the interview and into training, your odds are pretty good at that point.


Read the Turbine Pilot's Flight Manual, that will help you to understand the systems.

I feel the same way guys. I think that will change when I'm done with 480 though.

If you do exactly what they ask of you, and stay focus, instead of trying to bang every F/A in training, you should not have any problems.

It was my first time, and I didn't have any problems...ofcourse that's a testament to the quality of the training, but honestly, study your @ss off, pay attention in class, go to bed early, be humble in the sim, and you will not any have any problems I promise you.

Gotta save that for the line ;) . Just kidding.

After OE...is all fair game, and don't forget...."never jump without a parahute!" :D

Where are you at sanchez?

Right now in my boxers at home drinking a cold one enjoying one of the "few" spring days we get here....but if you mean what airline, XJT.

Oh ok, and you thought you were well prepared, had enough time in the sim to get it figured out etc... I realize it is going to be tough and I'm going to have to work my butt off. I have no problem with that. I just want to be given a fair chance to succeed.

On a seperate note: I searched the postings for the mesaba guy that was spoke of early. I found good info but nothing about their training. I am ****ed at myself for taking another instructor position now. I should have manned up and seen if I had what it takes to be an airline pilot, I'm just delaying the verdict by continuing to instruct. You can search my previous posts if you want to know what I'm talking about. I think the subject is "life changing dilemma" Mesaba called me the night before I was leaving for my new job. Uhaul packed in the driveway and everything and they wanted me to come interview the following week so I had to decline. Do you think I could call and tell them I changed my mind or am I toast after telling them no thanks?

I really appreciate all the info I recieve from the guys on here. Thanks

If you're this concerned about doing well, you'll make it through.

Call them back, what's the worst that could happen? What kind of time do you have anyway? Also, going into it low on confidence isn't going to be helpful.

You can go back to instructing at anytime, BUT YOU'RE GIVING UP SENIORITY NUMBERS by waiting. Those numbers mean everything; quality of life, quality of line, when you upgrade, when you get off reserve, added job security (the more pilots that are behind you the more that must be furloughed before they get to your number) and many others. One extra month of waiting could mean between 50-100 pilots that should be JR to you.

As far as the training goes, they'll give you every resource to succeed. Just make sure you use them and join up with a study group.

You'll do just fine!

you wont fail out of anybody's training right now unless you absolutely know nothing about airplanes. think about how desparate all these places are. the training departments are under tremendous pressure to pass everyone. i know this because a buddy of mine (and no im not referring to myself :) unless you want to believe that) should not have made it through but they ended up pushing him through and gave him extra trips on IOE. if you have a pulse, which i think you do because you posted this post, you will not fail.

Hey I just thought I'd give my two cents.... if you don't think you're ready for an airline, I don't think there's anything wrong with that. I say take as long as you want, don't feel like you have to jump into something you're not ready for. If you're still in Grand forks, i would suggest talking to higgins he's like the know all guy. he gave a little speach about waiting to go to an airline if you don't feel you're ready in class one day.

Now that that is said, on the other hand if you're willing to study then you probably will have no trouble at an airline. I'm in training at ASA and its going well so far they pretty much don't fail people out of training unless you have a bad attitude and are not willing to try, the instructors so far have been great. I've also heard Horizon is good. I don't know much about other airlines, but I have heard piedmont is one of the shortest training times so if you are worried about that, then its probably not a place for you.

That's not completely true...depends on the airline. You shouldn't go into it with the attitude that they NEED you so bad that you can't fail out.

I know in particular that some of the notoriously difficult training programs (like at Piedmont) don't factor in pilot need, no matter how badly they are hurting. The standards are what they are .

same at TSA, those checkairman could give a *******less about the staffing levels. They have a clear standard, and if your short, your cut.

Yeah I probably should just call them back. I told the woman on the phone that Mesaba was the airline I really wanted to go to and explained the situation. She didn't really seem to care. I told her I would definately reapply in the future and she basically said whatever and hung up, I'm sure it's just because she's a busy person.

My time now is 800 TT and 77 Multi, I'm an MEI having the carrot that is multi-time waved in my face and yanked everytime I think I'm close.

What airline was the guy that got pushed through because they needed people.

You also may want to teach for a little longer and get some more experience, that way you could go somewhere like republic or expressjet or something. Who knows, whatever is the best fit for you.

Mesaba is really the airline I would like to work for right now. I would really like a DTW base. I wouldn't mind making less money and flying a Saab for a while if I could be based at DTW eventually. It would make me and my family much happier to be in Detroit. Horizon, Republic, and Expressjet would be my top three as far as airlines I would like to work for if I can't get into an airline with a DTW base. I'm thinking republic or expressjet would at least allow me a one leg commute so I could commute easily from Detroit.

All of you guys/gals that have fears of making it though training the first time around, feel free to PM me. I've been through what I consider one of the toughest initial programs (Atlantic Coast Airlines CRJ new-hire circa 2000/2001), and I did it with about 650TT/60ME.

If I can make it, so can you, but I've certainly picked up a few tricks along the way that I'd be happy to share.

Also, if you haven't read this article (written by a good friend and former coworker of mine), it's definitely worth reading prior to starting training with ANY airline:

http://aviation.crosswindlanding.com...ingthegame.htm

If you really want Mesaba then work hard towards that goal. Focus on them and what they are looking for.

If you do what they tell you to do in training you will be fine. Work hard for a couple months.

It is a hard job to get, but an easy job to do. If that makes sense.

Does anybody know anything for sure about Compass? What will their minimums be? What will their salaries be? When will they really start hiring a good number of people? I wouldn't mind staying instructing for a year or whatever. Right now I'm flying consistently 25 hours a week. I assume they will have a Detroit base. Sorry if this has been said before on here, I haven't been on here in a couple months. If someone could just direct me to a good source I would appreciate it.

Thanks saab. Do you mean mesaba is a hard job to get or just airlines in general? What would you say mesaba is looking for that is any different than the other airlines?

There's plenty of info on here about compass if you do a quick search... here's the payscales:

http://www.crosswindlanding.com/temp/compasspay.gif

Suffice it to say though, that if you're instructing right now to build time for a regional, you probably don't come close to their competitive minimums (at least for now), since they are essentially hiring people that can upgrade immediately (IE previous 121 and turbine experience.) Either way, you need to be 23 years old, and have 1500TT/1000 ME.

(As I understand it, the flight time requirements are currently for insurance purposes.)

No worries mate
 

Hey UNDGUY if you went through 480 at UND you won't have a problem at all, 480 is much harder than airline ground school. Most people at my airline that i talk to are not and did not have a hard time going through the ground school portion of training....it is not "fire hose," they take their time and make sure you understand what is important before moving on

FlyerJosh, Thx for sharing that article. Hit the nail on the head. Compliments on your website.

Making the jump from CFI to regional FO is a big one. Just don't let the pressure get to you. If you study hard and pay attn in class, you should be fine. Just don't forget to leave the books and have a beer once a while after class. You have to get away from it sometimes. I too was at UND and now at AWAC. If you have any questions, pm me. I'll do what I can to answer.