FlexThrust

Hi Guys-

I'm getting back into flying after an 8-month medical break. I'm interested in PCL because of the quick upgrade potential. I know it would mean reserve forever and I know they just changed the upgrade mins which may change things for newhires upgrading quickly, but it still look like the best bet for a quick uprade to me.

Anyway, my question is this, what are the prospects for someone wanting to get into the training department? This is my long term goal since I love instructing, and I understand that PCL has lost quite a few instructors lately.

FYI I have 5300TT, 3300 Turbine, 1500 Turbine PIC, 700 121 PIC, 200 jet-all heavy.

Also for the guys trying to get an interview-I e-mailed my resume at 1100 last Monday, got an interveiw invite e-mail at 1600 the same day, confirmed and got my travel info e-mail on Tuesday morning.

Thanks!!

Airsupport

We have lost quite a few instructors lately. Most of our instructors were furloughed delta, nwa, etc etc guys and they have all been called back. I think if you wanted in the training department you could have it pretty easy.
They are still looking for a few more ground instructors and with all the new toys the the training department is getting they are going to need a few more hands to work there.

higney85

I would recommend the following, its a little slower process, but would probrably get you more comfortable and back into things... Study and pass the interview, be an FO for just a couple months and put the bid in for CA, then go to upgrade class, fly as a CA for a few months, then- if you still want to go to the training dept- go then. The one thing that would have helped me soo much going through training would be if someone actually had flown the airplane, a PIC type is great but knowing the way things are done on the line really helps the new guys. I am sure it would also be able to teach if you have some experience in both seats, all while under PCL's ways.

Islandhopper

Higney85 hit it right on the head. Just the other day this exact conversation came up with a current class at the CEC. The word is the company would love someone with line experience instructing, the problem is finding someone who is willing to take a pay cut (line capt pay down to training dept pay). If that is what you desire...you would become a "hero" at 9E. Nothing beats experience.

honk

NO LINE Experience pilot instructors....What? Thats crazy....what do they do, have a CFI from ATP teach you guys? Not being mean, but I don't understand how that can translate from the classroom to the cockpit.

Islandhopper

Most are former legacy guys. One use to run the XJT training. These instructors have a great deal of experience in 121 ops. But some have not flown the CRJ in particular. A 757 or 777 pilot is not as good as a CRJ pilot when teaching the CRJ.

The CFI from ATP was a completely out of line, ignorant comment.

FlexThrust

Thanks for hte replies guys!

This is exactly the kind of thing I'm interested in; get some line experience then instruct.

Just out of interest, what is the pay cut from line capt to IP? (rough idea is fine).

Also, I've read somewhere recently that PCL has been using the CRJ sim at CLT. I live in the CLT area, so I'm obviosly interested to find out if this is true and if so is it a regular thing or a rare occurence?

Thanks again!

higney85

Don't hold me to it but I remember hearing they make about $65K, line pilots can make more than that with perdiem and pickups, but you would be home more. As far as CLT and DEN- I have no idea. MEM is the only "official" training center. The others are leased b/c soo many are being put through initial.

honk

Island hopper do you work for Pinnacle?