Pinnacle Training
07-07-2007, 03:58 PM
#1
DisplAAced
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Mar 2006
Position: EMB-145 FO
Posts: 638
Pinnacle Training
Well everyone, I start training at Pinnacle in a month and was wondering what I need to bring with me . I have done a search and couldn't find anything so please don't flame me. Should I go ahead and order a chart case, luggage, jepp binders, etc.? Should I wait until I get there to order stuff and if I do wait does PNCL offer payroll deduction for that stuff? If they offer payroll deduction I think I would rather do that so I don't have to spend so much money up front before I even see a paycheck. Thanks for the input!
07-07-2007, 05:21 PM
#2
Line Holder
Joined APC: Apr 2007
Posts: 36
I'm sorry to hear that and send my condolences. Don't buy anything until you pass the checkride in three months from now. A few will get left behind and others will leave when the get a feel for the company; It is like having a bad STD and will rub you wrong every day. As for paycheck deductions, the only ones are for uniform ($16 for your plastic wings), $300 for the leather jacket (that you can purchase elsewhere for $80) and anytime you jumpseat and the NWA gate agent happens to code you wrong (want to fix it? Sorry, they can't do that). As for jepp binders, they give you crappy plastic ones (no need to invest in nice leathers when nobody stays longer than a year). Good luck at that hotel and don't answer the door when the hookers knock at 2am..great neighborhood next to the mem airport. Expect to have at least one of your classmate's car broken into guaranteed.
Solution.....go elsewhere.
Solution.....go elsewhere.
07-07-2007, 05:49 PM
#3
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2007
Posts: 153
Congrats coldpilot! Just curious, when was your interview? How many in your group did not receive an offer? What kind of experience did your interview group have? What What have you heard about early upgrades? I have an interview on the 18th and was just wondering. Thanks.
07-07-2007, 06:20 PM
#4
Line Holder
Joined APC: Nov 2005
Position: CRJ FO
Posts: 42
Don't worry about bringing too much with you. PNCL will supply the stuff you need in the beginning (manuals, etc., but you might want to bring your own notebook to take notes in though). You won't get your Jepp plates until after you pass your checkride and they give you some cheapo binders but I would recommend using your own if you want something nicer quality to hold your plates in. You will also need a flight case to hold all your stuff in when you go for your oral at the end of ground school but you'll have a couple of weeks to find one. Check out Office Max, I think I got mine for around 30-40 bucks.
Luggage is not really important until you start OE, so don't stress about that too much.
Good luck in training and just stay focused and study and you'll be fine. And don't let them scare you about the hotel- its not in a great area so I would be careful, but I never had any hookers banging on my door. If you do have a car there though, I would definitely lock the doors and just be sensible about security stuff.
Luggage is not really important until you start OE, so don't stress about that too much.
Good luck in training and just stay focused and study and you'll be fine. And don't let them scare you about the hotel- its not in a great area so I would be careful, but I never had any hookers banging on my door. If you do have a car there though, I would definitely lock the doors and just be sensible about security stuff.
07-07-2007, 06:40 PM
#5
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2007
Position: CRJ
Posts: 2,356
Originally Posted by coldpilot
Well everyone, I start training at Pinnacle in a month and was wondering what I need to bring with me . I have done a search and couldn't find anything so please don't flame me. Should I go ahead and order a chart case, luggage, jepp binders, etc.? Should I wait until I get there to order stuff and if I do wait does PNCL offer payroll deduction for that stuff? If they offer payroll deduction I think I would rather do that so I don't have to spend so much money up front before I even see a paycheck. Thanks for the input!
Originally Posted by travelJunky
I'm sorry to hear that and send my condolences. Don't buy anything until you pass the checkride in three months from now. A few will get left behind and others will leave when the get a feel for the company; It is like having a bad STD and will rub you wrong every day. As for paycheck deductions, the only ones are for uniform ($16 for your plastic wings), $300 for the leather jacket (that you can purchase elsewhere for $80) and anytime you jumpseat and the NWA gate agent happens to code you wrong (want to fix it? Sorry, they can't do that). As for jepp binders, they give you crappy plastic ones (no need to invest in nice leathers when nobody stays longer than a year). Good luck at that hotel and don't answer the door when the hookers knock at 2am..great neighborhood next to the mem airport. Expect to have at least one of your classmate's car broken into guaranteed.
Solution.....go elsewhere.
Solution.....go elsewhere.
now i will say what i have always said. i live in mem (germantown). i like working at pinnacle. i will only be gone 9 nights for the month of july. all 2 day trips most of which start at 12 on day one and end at 800 the next day. my seniority will a captain spot now, just need a few more hours. i will admit that commuting sucks and if you have to do it and be on reserve life really sucks. the contract sucks, and is ammendable. we are trying to get some movement on it but everyone knows how that goes (look at asa). but this pilot group is good, and unified and will not settle for a subpar contract. so are there things that can be changed- absolutley. am i willing to walk if called to- absolutley. do i still like working here, yes i do. there are a lot of things that need to be changed but this attitude wont help us, and i hope for your own well being you have moved on to 'bigger and better things.'
07-07-2007, 08:18 PM
#6
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,735
Originally Posted by Airsupport
congratulations. as far as what to buy i wouldn't worry about it to much. get you a chart case from office max to get you through training. dont worry about jepp binders and all that stuff, they give you that on your first day. he is right they are cheap plastic ones but mine have lasted almost 2 years and they will last a lot longer (they are in really good shape). you don't have to pay any money up front for anything. the only thing that you pay for is half of your uniform. and that is payroll deducted at 15 dollars a paycheck. no big deal. you get 400 dollars every friday and it is tax free so you get the full 400 so that does pretty good. if you have any other questions dont hesitate to ask.
you have 10 post, and all 10 posts are bashing pinnacle. pretty sad. i have had almost 2 years to feel the company and i like it here. you don't get charged up front for the wings, and they aren't plastic (scary you don't know what plastic is). you don't have to buy the jacket, i didn't, didn't think it was worth the money. the hotel isn't the best. thats what happens when the company headquarters is near the airport. never had any hookers knock on the door but did have one guys car broken into. nothing to do with the comapany and not sure what you would suggest the company do about it. have everyone stay in a hotel in germantown and bus them all in every morning? doesn't make sense. its not the company's fault mem is a crime hole. nothing they can do about it.
now i will say what i have always said. i live in mem (germantown). i like working at pinnacle. i will only be gone 9 nights for the month of july. all 2 day trips most of which start at 12 on day one and end at 800 the next day. my seniority will a captain spot now, just need a few more hours. i will admit that commuting sucks and if you have to do it and be on reserve life really sucks. the contract sucks, and is ammendable. we are trying to get some movement on it but everyone knows how that goes (look at asa). but this pilot group is good, and unified and will not settle for a subpar contract. so are there things that can be changed- absolutley. am i willing to walk if called to- absolutley. do i still like working here, yes i do. there are a lot of things that need to be changed but this attitude wont help us, and i hope for your own well being you have moved on to 'bigger and better things.'
you have 10 post, and all 10 posts are bashing pinnacle. pretty sad. i have had almost 2 years to feel the company and i like it here. you don't get charged up front for the wings, and they aren't plastic (scary you don't know what plastic is). you don't have to buy the jacket, i didn't, didn't think it was worth the money. the hotel isn't the best. thats what happens when the company headquarters is near the airport. never had any hookers knock on the door but did have one guys car broken into. nothing to do with the comapany and not sure what you would suggest the company do about it. have everyone stay in a hotel in germantown and bus them all in every morning? doesn't make sense. its not the company's fault mem is a crime hole. nothing they can do about it.
now i will say what i have always said. i live in mem (germantown). i like working at pinnacle. i will only be gone 9 nights for the month of july. all 2 day trips most of which start at 12 on day one and end at 800 the next day. my seniority will a captain spot now, just need a few more hours. i will admit that commuting sucks and if you have to do it and be on reserve life really sucks. the contract sucks, and is ammendable. we are trying to get some movement on it but everyone knows how that goes (look at asa). but this pilot group is good, and unified and will not settle for a subpar contract. so are there things that can be changed- absolutley. am i willing to walk if called to- absolutley. do i still like working here, yes i do. there are a lot of things that need to be changed but this attitude wont help us, and i hope for your own well being you have moved on to 'bigger and better things.'
Back to the original topic. You don't really need a car down in MEM during ground school, but it's nice to have it during the sim you don't have to always count on the hotel van. You don't need a flight case til you get done with ground school, you could get a cheap Office depot but it might not last you more than a few weeks. You will not get your jepps til your checkride is done then you can decide if you want to get the leather ones or not, that goes with the flight case too. Relax and have some fun, go out the the guys in your class once in awhile.
07-07-2007, 08:36 PM
#7
Line Holder
Joined APC: Mar 2007
Posts: 70
much better
Originally Posted by Airsupport
congratulations. as far as what to buy i wouldn't worry about it to much. get you a chart case from office max to get you through training. dont worry about jepp binders and all that stuff, they give you that on your first day. he is right they are cheap plastic ones but mine have lasted almost 2 years and they will last a lot longer (they are in really good shape). you don't have to pay any money up front for anything. the only thing that you pay for is half of your uniform. and that is payroll deducted at 15 dollars a paycheck. no big deal. you get 400 dollars every friday and it is tax free so you get the full 400 so that does pretty good. if you have any other questions dont hesitate to ask.
you have 10 post, and all 10 posts are bashing pinnacle. pretty sad. i have had almost 2 years to feel the company and i like it here. you don't get charged up front for the wings, and they aren't plastic (scary you don't know what plastic is). you don't have to buy the jacket, i didn't, didn't think it was worth the money. the hotel isn't the best. thats what happens when the company headquarters is near the airport. never had any hookers knock on the door but did have one guys car broken into. nothing to do with the comapany and not sure what you would suggest the company do about it. have everyone stay in a hotel in germantown and bus them all in every morning? doesn't make sense. its not the company's fault mem is a crime hole. nothing they can do about it.
now i will say what i have always said. i live in mem (germantown). i like working at pinnacle. i will only be gone 9 nights for the month of july. all 2 day trips most of which start at 12 on day one and end at 800 the next day. my seniority will a captain spot now, just need a few more hours. i will admit that commuting sucks and if you have to do it and be on reserve life really sucks. the contract sucks, and is ammendable. we are trying to get some movement on it but everyone knows how that goes (look at asa). but this pilot group is good, and unified and will not settle for a subpar contract. so are there things that can be changed- absolutley. am i willing to walk if called to- absolutley. do i still like working here, yes i do. there are a lot of things that need to be changed but this attitude wont help us, and i hope for your own well being you have moved on to 'bigger and better things.'
you have 10 post, and all 10 posts are bashing pinnacle. pretty sad. i have had almost 2 years to feel the company and i like it here. you don't get charged up front for the wings, and they aren't plastic (scary you don't know what plastic is). you don't have to buy the jacket, i didn't, didn't think it was worth the money. the hotel isn't the best. thats what happens when the company headquarters is near the airport. never had any hookers knock on the door but did have one guys car broken into. nothing to do with the comapany and not sure what you would suggest the company do about it. have everyone stay in a hotel in germantown and bus them all in every morning? doesn't make sense. its not the company's fault mem is a crime hole. nothing they can do about it.
now i will say what i have always said. i live in mem (germantown). i like working at pinnacle. i will only be gone 9 nights for the month of july. all 2 day trips most of which start at 12 on day one and end at 800 the next day. my seniority will a captain spot now, just need a few more hours. i will admit that commuting sucks and if you have to do it and be on reserve life really sucks. the contract sucks, and is ammendable. we are trying to get some movement on it but everyone knows how that goes (look at asa). but this pilot group is good, and unified and will not settle for a subpar contract. so are there things that can be changed- absolutley. am i willing to walk if called to- absolutley. do i still like working here, yes i do. there are a lot of things that need to be changed but this attitude wont help us, and i hope for your own well being you have moved on to 'bigger and better things.'
Away from the details I think that Traveljunky knows what he is talking about as he was in training at your company and describes a lot of things that only a person that been in training there knows. What I have seen lately is that Traveljunky is not alone in his opinions and there are more like hime every day. Maybe it is time for your Company to stop and maybe start looking over things......who know it may be good for the company in the long run.......but it would not surprice me if the attitude is "Nothing wrong with our training" let's keep on with the same strategy. Who cares we lost tons of money on our training department last month.... or..who cares we had to pay tremendous fines to NW for all the flights we had to cancel due to lack of pilots.. at the same time that our wash out is among the highest..........it is just the stockholders money anyway......etc etc.......but hell no, "we do not need to change anything" "Our training and training department is Perfect and we are the greatest Regional to work for".......Keep the face Titanic.
07-07-2007, 08:37 PM
#8
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,735
Originally Posted by travelJunky
I'm sorry to hear that and send my condolences. Don't buy anything until you pass the checkride in three months from now. A few will get left behind and others will leave when the get a feel for the company; It is like having a bad STD and will rub you wrong every day. As for paycheck deductions, the only ones are for uniform ($16 for your plastic wings), $300 for the leather jacket (that you can purchase elsewhere for $80) and anytime you jumpseat and the NWA gate agent happens to code you wrong (want to fix it? Sorry, they can't do that). As for jepp binders, they give you crappy plastic ones (no need to invest in nice leathers when nobody stays longer than a year). Good luck at that hotel and don't answer the door when the hookers knock at 2am..great neighborhood next to the mem airport. Expect to have at least one of your classmate's car broken into guaranteed.
Solution.....go elsewhere.
Solution.....go elsewhere.
Wings are plastic? wtf? leather jacket is not from the same company as the one you you order the uniform. We place the order for the uniform during ground school and Pinnacle paid for half. they deduct half from the paychecks, or you pay for it all up front. Perrone is the company that makes our leather jacket and they told me that I have to pay them directly, this is not deducted. So no one should invest in leather binders if they don't plans on staying more than a year. Is that because they can't use them anywhere else?
I've never had any problems with NWA agents, they go out of of their way to help us out when jumpseat on NWA, most of them will offer first class if they are open.
07-07-2007, 08:48 PM
#9
Property of Scheduling
Joined APC: Sep 2006
Position: Bus driver
Posts: 2,524
I guess its been a week since there was a PNCL thread.... I am here, I like it, show up and do your job and all is well. O and traveljunky- there is no charge for non-rev for the employee... You should have learned that first week in class if you actually showed up and paid attention. Some people will complain wherever they go, and frankly I feel that if you applied, interviewed, and even showed up for day 1 of class you should check your ego at the door cause your full of sh*t. If you were so "informed" in regards to PNCL and thought it was soo bad you would have never ventured past the company website. For those who are actually taking a look at opinions from those who WORK at the company just run a search for higney85- its late and I have typed up way too many posts on PNCL in the last month!
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