I failed my 121 training, any advice ?
 

Hello everyone,

I wanted to create a post and hear some advice from some of you who may have either been in a similar situation, or know someone who has been, and how they moved forward. (Im sorry if this is posted in the wrong section, if so please let me know and I will repost) I was hired with my first regional airline job at the beginning of the year in March and was so excited. A few months before that, I was in a car accident as a passenger sitting in the back seat. A driver fell asleep on the wheel and rear ended the car I was in. I ended up being hospitalized for a few days. A few days before training I went to see an AME to reapply for my 1st class medical and it was not approved, but pending. I made mention of this to the company before starting my training. During my 3rd week when we got into systems I started experiencing pain in my lower back that was shooting pain down my leg. The pain got so bad towards the end I couldn't sit or focus for to long. I should have made mention of this sooner and delayed my training, but I was so eager and motivated to complete my training I kept going. During my systems exam I came a few points short scoring a 77 out of the 80 requirement. I was incredibly disappointed with myself. The company pulled me to the side and had let me go due to performance. The next day I saw a doctor and had MRI taken and I ended up getting back surgery a week later. Turns out I had several Herniated disks pressing on nerves that was being agitated from sitting for long periods of time. After my procedure, I feel great. I have no pain and my 1st class medical JUST came back in the mail last month, after many doctor visits and FAA review. I have been applying to practically every regional airline and I either have not been given a chance to interview due to my application being denied. I was able to interview with one company however they mentioned they are slowing down the FO hiring due to them having a captain shortage and they would keep my application on file.

-My question is, am I not getting any calls from the regionals because I did not successfully complete my training? -
-Is it possible it because a lot of Regional airlines are having a difficult time finding captains they are slowing down the FO hiring?

I would also like to know how do I move forward from this. I have been back at my flight school instructing, but im getting frustrated and beginning to feel like I'm never going to get hired. I would even be open to applying to 135 ops but I have been trying very hard for regional airlines due to the training.

Any advice is much appreciated. Thank you for taking the time to read this.

It’s well known that Mesa’s standards are the lowest in the industry. I’m not intending to insult Mesa just offering what most would say is factual information. Have you applied to them?

What I’m about to say next is purely opinion- If you do get a bite from any aviation employer it would probably be best to just say you failed a test getting a 77 out of 80 and they let you go. You’ve learned what you need to do to be successful moving forward. I.E. group study etc. Most of any interview is playing the game and telling them what they want to hear.

I totally understand your situation and how you got where you are but employers don’t like “complicated situations.” So keep it very simple.

I can’t imagine any interview or application going well if you go into the weeds trying to explain what you posted here. Just my two cents. I wish you all the best moving forward.

First of all, MOST of the regionals are slowing down FO training due to a CA shortage so don’t take it personal. While you aren’t REQUIRED to give anyone any details of your medical history, you were already accepted by one regional - the one you failed - so you must have people there who remember you and if your failure was as narrow as you indicate, explaining to them - with documentation of the subsequent surgery and current recertification - may be helpful. If they have bunches of FOs on reserve getting little flying because of a paucity of CAs it won’t make any difference, but if they are actively hiring zero - 121 time FOs they might well give you a second chance.

failing that, any multi engine turbine flying will help. Would I want a career at Ameriflight? No. Would I work for Ameriflight long enough to get to the next rung on the career ladder? Yeah, I would.

Thank you for the reply. What you mention makes sense. I have to find the fine line of what to share and what to keep to myself. I wanted to share to the readers my situation as a whole, but I do understand possibly not sharing to much with the employer as that may work against me.
Where do people go when they are in a similar situation? I may be wrong but don't most charter companies want experienced pilots with jet time or jet experience. I have been leaning towards the regionals because I understand the training footprint works to train piston pilots to jet.

That's usually a factor, although in the current hiring climate it should be a minor factor.

That is occurring, so they might be relegating those with blackmarks to the "maybe next year" pile.

You will, don't worry about that.

You have to explain what happened, take responsibility, and tell them what you learned. Whatever you do, don't blame anyone else ( guess you could blame the guy who hit you in this case lol).

In your case the lesson learned was don't do training if you have significant outside distractions (health, family, etc). Wives commonly file for divorce while you're in new-hire training, and those guys essentially always flunk out unless they request a LOA and come back after the dust settles.

They shouldn't really hold it against you, the accident wasn't your fault and you were motivated to finish but you just didn't know what you didn't know about 121 training. Your health issue is resolved, and you know about distractions now.

You may want to do a job fair or meet and greet to get some face time with a human being to explain what happened.

Also be aware that they are generally less tolerant of ground school/written test failures than sim/IOE failures... academics is almost 100% about work ethic and motivation. I don't think this applies in your case, you have an alibi but you want to make sure that potential employers have the whole story, not just that you flunked a written.

If things don't pick up after the new year, you might want to do 135 but research their training and management practices carefully.

Smaller 135 companies need people too. I walked in 2 months ago to a local 135 cargo company and asked them if they needed part time help and I had ZERO jet time. I had about 250hrs of multi time thats it, again no jet experience and now I'm in a Lear 35/55 flying for them a few days a month. For what its worth, the CP said why he hired me was i came in person rather than e-mail a resume. Good luck

Cape Air
 

I don't have any real answers to your immediate questions. With the hesitation of unintentionally upsetting someone my first thought was that I've heard Cape Air is in need of Captains. I know it's not what you're hoping for, but they pay a livable, it's not instructing, there is a path to a paid-for ATP, possibility to live in Puerto Rico (new life experience). Place to reset, get a known training program pass, spend a couple years and then start working back to the jet world.

If you still aren't getting calls because of the slowdown in FO hiring, it might be an option in the future.

I've never worked there, I don't really know anyone that has. I have heard they will try guys that have 121 failures.



Best of luck bruddah!

FWIW, I think the slowdown on FO hiring is gonna be short lived. I wouldn't sign any long term contracts or anything like that. I d get a service to look at your apps and get some professional advice on how to best prepare yourself for when FO hiring picks back up.

I'm incredibly thankful for each and everyone one of your responses. Thank you for your input.
I will keep sending out applications and try to attend as many meet and greets like mentioned. I am also going to do some research and look into some of the smaller 135 operations.
I will also look into possibly getting a professional to help me with my applications. Any recommendations for a particular company that specializes in reviewing airline applications?

Thank you

you will get another shot. Or more. Don’t worry. I’ve heard of much worse and it was never an issue. What every one else said above is correct. Don’t sweat it. Not worth it in the long run to your health.