I've done both SAAB and EMB training at Eagle. The SAAB wasn't too hard but I had the best SAAB instructor, ever. He is now retired though but had been teaching on the thing since just after it hit the market. Needless to say, he knew his sh!t. The only hard part of the SAAB is the systems. The d@mn swedes like to make things hard by building an electronic airplane that doesn't have any computers. Spend some extra time studying systems (especially electrical) and you will have no problem. As far as flying it the thing handles just like a big PA-44 or BE-56 so it is no problem.

The EMB, systems wise, is extremely simple. They did a good job laying that one out as all the systems schematics are right there on the panel. Coming from a GA background you may have a little more trouble flying it but remember to get slowed down early and configured early and you wont have as much of a problem.

When I was a new hire only one person failed out. Well, he was right up to the point of failing out but still had the option to try again. He chose to leave. He was on the EMB. Everyone I have run into at the training center has been very helpful. I do know of one new SAAB ground instructor who has a maintenance background that the students didn't like. I think his main problem is he comes at things like a mechanic instead of a pilot. Overall, AE is not too difficult to get through.

I did CRJ training at PSA and found it a breeze. The syllabus was well designed, the instructors knowledgeable, and able to teach. Ground was 'on your own' CBT, followed by non-motion sim with your partner and the instuctor going over that day's systems, including abnormals and emergencies - actually using the QRH to troubleshoot. It prepared you very well for the sim. Sim was easy after ground, just get the feel of the plane flows, calls and systems were well esablished after ground school. The training dept at PSA was the best part of thier operation.

EMJ school at Eagle was a different story. They gave you everthing you needed to succeed, but did not appear to care if you were successfull or not. I found the sim preperation at Eagle especially lacking. Poorly designed, and executed worse. Of 8 new hires, one quit after 1 sim session, and five or six of us needed additional sim sessions to meet standards.

AWAC's training is about 7 weeks.. Really good training... Everyone is really nice and very helpful..

Pinnacle?
 

Would someone describe the training at Pinnacle, pros & cons.

The real question is:

Which airlines give you your own hotel room in training?!

As much as I'd like my own room during training, having a roommate is EXTREMELY beneficial, both to the company and the new-hire. The company benefits by saving $$, while the new-hire not only has somebody else to bounce questions off of, but also has less of a chance of hermitting himself in his room. Those guys have the toughest time in training!

Tough? In addition to being the only one not having a roommate to bounce things off of, try being the 3rd person with 2 sim partners who are roommates. This is not a good scenario for success unless the 3rd person is already good enough that they don't need really need training. My advice is to avoid this situation.

Comair provides single occupancy hotel rooms!

im sure alpa had nothing to do with that :) you guys are a good bunch

Pros...pay, lodging

cons...low pay, You're in MEM (NOT working for FedEx)

If you pay attention in class and work with your classmates to get everyone thru, groundschool and sim training will be a breeze.