You get hired at 250 hours, but that doesn't mean that's the time you will have when you get to the right seat.

The Eagle minimums are 336 TT / 36 multi, because Eagle insurance requirements dictate new hire pilots to have at least 400 TT and 100 Multi (this according to FSA Career Coordinator)...

...that basically means that you will pick up a minimum of 64 hours in this program. As a result, most graduates of this program at the start of the airline's ground school have over 300 hours (in the range of 315 to 400+ hours).

But don't forget, there are many who go to direct track that have a significantly higher total time than the bare minimums before even starting the program (like 400-500+ hours).




True, but look at the latest hiring updates from FSA:

http://www.flightsafetyacademy.com/c...ment/hired.php

For the class of 2006, the following ASA students have been hired:

Robert Gilbert (AATP)
Jose Riviera (AATP)
Lloyd Sunvold (AATP)
Carlos Curiz (AATP)
Neil Tornblom (AATP)
Bobby Hsu (AATP)
Taso Iraclidis (AATP)
Gretchen Hermanson (AATP)
Kevin Gwinn (AATP)
Michael Scorza (AATP)
Robert Burch (AATP)
Joseph Cook (AATP)
Charlie Pruitt (AATP)
John Gary (AATP)

Now keep in mind that the ASA program has been on HOLD since November. So, these are the students who have gotten class dates in 2006. They did direct track last fall sometime.

I believe you're talking about Badco99 on jetcareers. He may not yet have a class date, but he will.


Even the FSA website's FAQs say it can take 1 to 3 months to get a class date (and sometimes longer in some cases).

The program has been very successful with ASA.

There are testimonies by Capt. John Robertson and Capt. Julie Skugland(sp?), that are on FSA's website.

They're very pleased with this program, and apparently it has served ASA very well.

 

Hello all,

I’m new to the forum so I'll try not to sound too absent minded. Well a little background... I am currently a firefighter-paramedic who just returned from Iraq where I was a non-mill PSD Medic and firefighter. I have my private and now after seven years of prep. Am ready to take the plunge into the great unknown.
I know what most of you think of DCA. During my tour in Iraq I put up with a lot of BS, both from National fighters, and Iraqis. So naturally I saw right through the initial sales pitch. My questions to you guys are:

1. Being 25 and having no certs. other than a PPL I DCA's program although expensive appeared to be the quickest way to get some decent flight time, and an inside look at what the airlines might be like. (ie. Gripes, lack of flight time, and heavy work load) Besides price what makes the other Flight schools any better? I have looked at both ATP and Flight Safety and was not too impressed. Although the multi time @ ATP was impressive.

2. I have almost six years of college with only an associate to show. This is because Paramedic school is three years, and my fire science degrees an additional two. Should I go ahead and get a BS or will the airlines take my schooling into account?

3. I love to fly and DO realize that the airlines are a very risky industry. I'm lucky that I have a second career that pays pretty well. Especially being a medic in a hospital. So I'm willing to take the risks. To the guys who have been on the flight line for a while, and have weathered the industry I ask. What would you do differently and why?

Thanks again for letting me ramble, I look forward to your responses.


Ben

 

"an inside look at what the airlines might be like"

That's silly. What makes you think DCA gives you a heads up with that more so than another school? Being "owned by Delta" is nothing more than marketing BS. A good airline pilot starts out as a good pilot and then gets hired at an airline. You can become a good pilot at any of the academies or a little flight school. Either method has it's good points and bad points but they both get you the same place.

"Should I go ahead and get a BS or will the airlines take my schooling into account?"

You'll need the BS for the cream of the crop jobs, unless you're very lucky. Not saying it couldn't/hasn't been done, but it's just not too likely in this day and age. On the other hand, if you'd be happy with a career at the regionals, then I wouldn't worry about the degree.

 

Thanks for all of the info! Keep it coming. I know that the who line about being "owned by the airlines" is a bunch of BS, but I do love the airport they opperate out of, and the traffic that it has. Even here in ATL it's hard to find an airport with that kind of HEAVY traffic. Thanks again for the info! Stay safe.

 

I did not do the PFT, PFJ, GIA thing. But I didn't have to instruct either.

 

Well, I don't think that's quite right either. Tuition wasn't near $25K when I went there. First year it was 14 or 15K (very reasonable for a private school) and 17K when I graduated. 7K is about right for room and board, but I didn't live in the dorms but for my first year (found a way to sneek around the second year) Depending on how well you get through the flight program (very difficult to do) you could get out with less than 80K being spent. I got out for about 90K and I went to one of the campuses.

 

Oh, it's right, all right.

http://www.erau.edu/er/financialaid/estcosts.html

You'd have to be INSANE to go there! Or at the very least, extremely dumb. Like me. My saving grace is that I spent only three semesters there, and it was slightly less expensive then.

 

wow. i guess considering how much they jacked up the price in the four years i was there 25K is about right for now. wow.

 

Just go anywhere but blojets..... Put in your time, go to tsa or ASA... Just stay away from blojets... Now that will quash your career faster than tatooing GIA Grad on your forehead before an interview... And even then, it may still work out...

 

Just some personal observations and opinions derived from 26 years in the airline industry.

Hours in a logbook are not indications of skill or competency. Building time is not the same as learning to be a skilled, competent pilot. The quality of the time is important. There are no shortcuts to learning in this industry. It's an old, worn out saying, but it's very true. You now have a license to learn. After thousands of hours in everything from part 121 regional turboprops to transport category jets, I'm still learning. There's no substitute for PIC time, flight instructing, flying part 135 freight, etc. It's hard work and it doesn't pay well, but it teaches you volumes and builds confidence. It refines airmanship and instrument skills. Things you will surely need to have, because there are folks out there in the left seat who do not have them. Most of them get away with it because of a competent First Officer. A First Officer is not in the aircraft to "handle the radios". A First Officer is expected to have the knowledge to make decisions and operate the aircraft in an emergency or in the event the Captain becomes incapacitated. Over the years, I've flown with pilots who have taken the shortcuts, a few were competent, most were not. It usually takes one leg to rear it's ugly head. Don't expect to be treated with kindness if you fit into this category. This is a very serious business. If you don't care enough to learn, don't aggravate those of us who have. I have quite a few friends who are Captains at one of the large regionals that is famous for hiring low time, "flight academy graduates". Almost all of them are considering changing careers. Most Captains are more than happy to teach what they have learned over the years. Most will also make your life a living hell if you expect them to be flight instructors. If you must take the shortcuts, you better bring your A game, because if you don't, your job won't be much fun. It's not "jealousy". It's not wanting to be on the flight deck with a dumbass you can't depend on.

I also fly because I love it. I also love the income, though shrinking, that it provides for my family. It's shrinking because airlines know there will always be an endless stream of prostitutes who will work for next to nothing. They will for a while anyway. After a year or two, they will be the one's crying about low pay and bad working conditions.

If you must be a pilot, take the time to learn how to be one. Riding in the right seat of a jet aircraft does not make you a safe one. Your passengers and fellow crewmembers deserve no less. Money seems not be a problem for you, If so, congratulations! Most of us are not that fortunate. Do us all a favor and find a corporate job that pays crap instead of helping lower everyone else's paycheck.