Ftrooppilot

I flew for thirty years using "company headsets". It killed my hearing. PLEASE take the advise given and purchase/use the best noise cancelling equipment available. Forty years from now you will be glad you did.

XJPILOT1

Yes we have hired 300hr pilots. If you "have anything between your ears" you better read your POM. R U DTW based?

xjsaab

I use bose headsets and earplugs, even on the CRJ. At first it's a weird, but after a month you won't be able to go back to less. Keep your hearing protected.

submachXJ

Whats wrong with ear plugs? I don't take the ear plugs off the floor! And the rest of the airplane is what sanicoms are for. If your so worried I would sanicom the whole cockpit. Maybe wear latex gloves and a mask to protect from SARS!

XJPILOT1

Cold and flu seasons here.

Mesaba03

Hey XJ pilots, I have sim starting in a few weeks in the saab. I have my profiles and callouts down, is there anything else I should be worried about? How hard is sim training, I have made it this far I would hate to have something go wrong now. Do the instructors work with you pretty good before the checkride? Thanks all.

xjsaab

Jump into the sim and observe other crews, it will help a bunch with correlation. Work with your partner to get all the calls together. Those calls and profiles must be memorised and UNDERSTOOD before sim 1. Think about your scan, it's probably been a while since you've flown. When you observe, scan the instruments. Predict the next action and watch what they do. When the PF calls for Flaps15 does he trim for it and put forward pressure on the yoke (handflown). It's basic but everyone forgets to. Get that "T scan" going again. They'll work with you on all the rest and get you up to standards, that scan is one thing that you need bring. Learn to use and trust the flight director, the sooner this is accomplished the easier your training will be. It is a new concept to many new hires but it will save your ass. When you put the right inputs in the MSP it will make your life so much easier. You'll never want to fly without it. I heard they are changing the syllabus so that FMS is taught before the sim's and giving training on use of the Flight Director/Auto Pilot. Take good notes and listen close on that day.
If you need extra help ask, that training department is infamous for the work they will put into getting you up standards.

Finally have fun, this is what you dreamed of, it may not be a 747-400 but it's your first training event as an airline pilot. Attitude is everything, it will be repetative and stressfull but look at the big picture. People out there buy programs at Best Buy to pretend what you are being PAID to do.(yes it's a meager amount, trust me I know) Years from now you will look back and smile. Nostalgia.... the ability to forget what sucked :-)

There's my rant, time to go to bed for my 6:00 am showtime,

PS get used to working the weekends ;-)

IHateMgmt

Great post.

Do what xjsaab said and if you have time, jumpseat on a saab to get the bigger picture (just try not to pick up any bad habits).

If you are going to jumpseat, pick an easy out and back about 30-45 mins each way works best. Be courteous to the crew and I'm sure they will be more than happy to help/answer questions.

Good luck!

BTW, I can confirm they are doing a day of FMS training between oral and sims for any one who isn't previously XJ FMS qualified.

Ftrooppilot

XJSAAB: All the right words and ideas except one. New hires will not be executed if they have a bad day in the sim. Your parents taught you better english.

in·fa·mous (ĭn'fə-məs)
adj.

1. Having an exceedingly bad reputation; notorious.
2. Causing or deserving infamy; heinous: an infamous deed.
3. Law.
   1. Punishable by severe measures, such as death, long imprisonment, or loss of civil rights.
   2. Convicted of a crime, such as treason or felony, that carries such a punishment.

Mesaba03

Thanks guys for your post, just trying to get last minute pointers before the sim. My sim partner and I have met and have been going over the flows and profiles. Thanks everyone.