JoeyMeatballs

I don't understabd some of you guys, why waste all that money to go to some BS program like RAA which doesn't gaurentee you Shi*&. What is so bad about busting your ass to get all the ratings that will allow you to teach what you love.....flying. I never regretted any 1 hr I had in a 172 or the 1000hrs of dual given, or the $500 hamburger in the Duchess. Flying is about passion, about remembering looking up at the sky when we could barely walk and just think wow that is awesome, and someday.......maybe I can fly an airliner. Well go out and get your CFI (you really only learn to fly once you start teaching) and enjoy it. There is this rediculous assumption that instructing is a waste of time when you can pay some bull**** flight school to "gaurentee" you an INTERVIEW, thats rediculous, besides it will be alot more rewarding when you bust your ass, put your time in and do it on your own, not through some bull**** "bridge program". That being said I don't mean to bash anybody who went to these programs, just my humble opinions, feedback anyone?

Jesrober

You sound quite angry, any reason for this anger? To me people that are going through programs like that are doing because its a quick way to get into what they love. Not to mention a lot of people get started in their flying career late, why not get through quickly. As far as RAA programs and others I believe becoming a CFI is part of their programs. Not that I'm standing up for any program. And I would agree everyone I talk to loves being a CFI, they all say they have learned a lot. To say that RAA and others like it are a waste is just plain wrong, what better way than surronding yourself with people who love aviation on a daily basis. Go about becoming a pilot anyway you want its your own choice.

Flying Ninja

SAABaroowski,

Simple...some of us don't know any better, while others are older and the fast tracks get us to hire without the CFI step. There's nothing wrong with the CFI gig. Some people just rather get in the game faster. Try to imagine starting your retirement investments at 18 vs. 40. If someone told you that at the end of your 60th birthday, you'll have the same investment portfolio as that 18 year old, wouldn't you jump on it if you were interested in it? Of course you would.

No one is arguing that we have no passion for flying. I think any idiot would know that you really have to have passion to spend big dollars to fly. Yes, renting a Cessna for $100 an hour is big dollars considering how many hours you need to be competitive at the regionals. Most people would put the cost of flight training into a down payment to a house. It's not a question of passion.

Personally, I didn't know any better. But now I do and I wouldn't do it again in a million years (getting myself into a fast track program). If I had to go back and do it again, I would get the ratings that mattered (which is to say that DC-9 type rating was a waste of money for me at this point) and take my time getting it, get the CFI and fly on my terms...because my passion is flying, not paying huge dollars to be in a huge debt so that I can start making $18k a year while giving up my quality of life.

These fast track programs do serve a purpose. The flip side is that a lot of us newbies don't know the industry, and frankly, don't know any better. I think the opinions and real life experiences that people share on this board is PRICELESS. I only wish I knew about it before I dumped the purchase price of a condominum into my training.

FlyerJosh

I think that as more and more people go through these "fast track" programs with expectations of grandeur and quick upgrades and "chasing the dream", they will find that the airlines aren't exactly what they thought they were signing up for.

Personally, I don't think that many of the people who go through "direct to jet" programs have the commitment to ride out the lows that invariably come with the job.

I'd be interested in seeing what the ratio of these people remain in the industry after so many years as opposed to others that come through more traditional routes.

Flying Ninja

It all goes back to that "didn't know any better" thing. It would be nice for someone in the industry to make an educational video of what the reality of the pilot career is all about. Something like that would be a great asset for organizations like AOPA or other web sites so that the knowledge is out there that's searchable on the Internet for prospective individuals.

ubermich

I think ignorance is the biggest problem. People don't know what they're getting into with aviation, and they don't know what they're missing by PFTing. I also don't think they've thought about what they're doing to the industry as a whole. I don't think a lot of them even realize that fellow pilots look down on such behavior. They're just trying to get the job fast, which is what most of us want to do, just not by PFTing. To be fair to aviation, though, I do know of circumstances where lawyers payed for their first job.

In a nutshell, I'm with flying ninja

JoeyMeatballs

Thanks for the feedback fellas, I was just making sure most were on the same page as I. like I said being an airline pilot (at least for me) isnt exactly what I thought, I mean I love it, but 6-8 legs a day flying through the weather picking up tons of ice, ground holds at LGA, though is an invaluable experince, is work! I feel that most of us at the regional level would love to fly something larger than a 90 seat rj (hey, im in a 34pax T-prop so no disrespect to the rj drivers) but lets face it the only way to get on with a major is through years of hard work and gaining experience, I just wish the Regionals were the same (not as strict of course) I know of no "bridge" program to CAL's 737 or Southwests, its all about paying our dues and working long miserable days and getting screwed by crew scheduling. So when these people come out of some program with 500hrs and they feel they have earned themselves a job flying 121, they need to get a grip!.... and to the post above that said I was "angry" it's not anger, Im just trying to understand, and i meant no offense to anybody.

SkyHigh

I think that I would have a few things to add to that video !!! But really AOPA would never support such an endeavor. Neither would Flying Magazine. They are the drug pushers !! Perhaps an individual group should make the video and mail it out to every new student pilot. We could ask for a donation at the end of the film.

SKyHigh

SkyHigh

Don't fool yourself. There are plenty of bridge programs to the majors and if you don't find one you had better get comfortable in that turboprop since that is where your career will be. Getting to the majors is all about who you know and not about your resume. The best route is through the "friends and family" plan. An airlines "stated" minimums are very flexible for the right people. Paying dues is a false and very naive concept and will lead you to a lifetime of due paying without any getting. In aviation the cheaters will win.

SkyHigh

rickair7777

Getting to the majors can be done by applying off the street if the hiring is on. AA was known for interviewing people based on their relevant qualifications, not who they knew. SWA will also do that (if you buy the type), but the success rate at their interviews is something like 20-30% (after you buy the type $$$).

Also it helps to have SOMETHING going for you that makes you stand out from the pack. A recomendation works, but also advanced education, athletics, extra-curricular activities, military background, interesting hobbies, etc. Take up traithlons or writing magazine articles or something. You should probably avoid base jumping, motorcycle racing, political activism, etc...