Sorry to hear that your training was from a half ass CFI. When I was checking out CAPT, they just started their second class and all their planes were brand new DA40-180. I don't think there ever were old CAPT planes. Anyway, not a big deal. :)

yeah they used to fly pa-28's before they upgraded.

You must be thinking of another program. The CAPT program in its current standing never flew PA-28's. Since the begining in Aug. 2003, they've flown DA-40s and PA-44's. It also wasn't ever in DED.
The DED program I think you are refering to was something CAPT was based on. But to my knowledge they were never funded by Embry Riddle and I know for a fact did not carry the CAPT name.

I agree. I've had the pleasure of being exposed to both types of training also and I can honestly say without pause that the fast track training is much more thorough than most FBOs.
Sure it might make a CFIs job a little easier, but I agree, that's not the point. Its just a different type of training that produces the same capable pilot in 250tt rather than 1500tt.

Instructing
 

Instructing is a waste of time and not for everyone. Sitting in the right seat watching others fly while your own skills fade is not fun at all. Watching the years go by because it takes forever to build time as an instructor is no good either. And, lets not forget that each bounced landing made by a student could lead to an accident that could jeapordize your career or worse kill you. I say if you can find a way to skip being a CFI then go for it. There isn't enough room for everyone to work as a CFI anyway. Buy a real job as fast as you can. Those who can do the rest flight instruct.

SkyHigh

A professionally managed program is certainly likely to be more thorough than ad-hoc training at the FBO. However, many small/medium size schools have 141 or 61 programs that are managed just fine, the only thing you don't get is the advanced training on the DC-9 or space shuttle sim. These small/medium schools will provide all the certs & ratings you need at a realistic cost and are likely to employ you as a CFI. The big-name glossy brochure schools are the ones that sell you a package that costs 3x what it's worth and includes all the "airline training". Many of us are vigorously opposed to these schools because we know so many airline pilots who regret the huge expense.

There is no 250 hour civilian program that can produce a pilot with anywhere near the skills and judgement of a well-rounded 1500 hour pilot. It is possible to be a "shallow" 1500 hour pilot with minimal night, XC, or IMC experience, but anyone who has accumulated ATP mins and worked as a CFI should be head and shoulders above any low-timer. And a few hundred hours as an MEI or flying SE night freight is the true graduation exercise...

Until you have worked in an aviation job where you face compromise decisions between economics, safety, weather, and mission accomplishment, you are just a private pilot, period.


BTW, the military makes pretty good 250 hour pilots by the simple expedient of being extremely selective in picking their students, spending $2M on them, and immediately eliminating anyone who stumbles more than once or twice. Did you master power-on stalls on the FIRST lesson? How about Lazy-eights? Or eight-point barrel rolls? That's what I thought...

I think thats EXACTLY what we need, a video, that is done very well, and ACCURATLY of what life of an airline pilot is like. I've seen so many stupid half assed videos that don't show you jack sh**. If people really knew what the life was like, maybe more would go to college and get the CFI training....or maybe not. What do you think?

Skyhigh is right...You can waste years as a CFI only to remain in debt... CFI I knew had been at it for 6 years and only had SE time (barely over 1,000 hours...) with min ME time (only what he needed for his ratings)...He even went to a aviation school and had the degree in Professional Aviation...I believe he's a CHP officer now working in LA...

-LAFF

"Instructing is a waste of time"

I beg to differ. Instructing teaches you a lot about decision making, how people learn, and how to effectively communicate in the cockpit. I'd agree that spending more than a year/500 hours doing it is less than ideal if you are looking to work your way up the ladder. But I'd hardly call it a waste of time or something to avoid. It's best if a guy can get a variety of experiences as an instructor...instrument, multi, different types.

I don't think instructing is a waste of time. Hell, I know for a fact that I am NO WHERE near as good as any CFI at CAPT. I graduated that place knowing that each and every CFI there is top shelf quality instructors with some serious flying skills. Personally, I wish I had more time to fly with them and learn more from them than what was in my training course outline that just gets me the hours to get my certifications. I recall all the time after each flight I was aspiring to be like those instructors. Alas...I'll have to settle for my less than elite skills compared to theirs.

But you are right, CFI is not for everyone. But I wish I could fly as well as a CFI.

I think maybe Discovery or King School should make this video. I also think they need to break down the cost comparisons for flight training as well as the additional costs to consider during and after training. It should be a door to door coverage. Walking out of my door to meet with my discovery flight to walking through the flight deck doors to meet the first Captain on my first flight as FO...and then some.