Imagine what would happen if the public found out that the FAA does a horrible job at making sure checkrides are done thoroughly? That bad/incompetent pilots are being given licenses and ratings? I propose that the another government entity (possibly the NTSB), set up "bait checkrides" at random. Where as far as the examiner knows, the applicant is fresh out of training, for whatever rating, and has all the right paper work and so on. But actually is a pilot and reports back to the NTSB, or whoever, on how the examiner conducted the checkride. If he felt he passed them to easily, wasn't thorough, etc. Also, never tell the examiner, even after all is said and done, when a random check has taken place or who it was, so they don't know who it was and can't go tell they're buddies about it. Just a thought.

Wow. Just....wow. This seems so ridiculous that simply failing two checkrides automatically disqualifies you from employment. Yes, I did bust 3 141 rides at the BEGINNING of my training (private pilot stage checks, if you want specifics). But not only did I learn from them, I also help other students prepare for them so they don't make the same mistakes I did. So far, everyone who I helped has passed, and they all claim that they wouldn't have if I didn't help them. And even despite this, I'm a bad and unemployable pilot because I struggled with private training??

I'm sorry if I sound arrogant, and I certainly don't mean to, but this is just plain insane!

*rant over*

Just FYI stage checks don't count against you, only the ones which license would be issued for, final course checks.

Sorry, I didn't mean for it to sound like I was saying someone who failed a checkride or a stage check is incompetent. I kinda assumed that everyone knew the pilots I was referring to. I think most people know who I'm talking about. Most of us probably even know one.

Stage checks aren't checkrides, they won't show up in your records once requested so I'd probably hold off on being bitter. Point taken, but I've got a buddy who put a plane down with it's gear still in the belly and he's got a job. I won't lose much sleep over passing my CFI on the 3rd try, especially since I've been hired four times since.

I wouldn't be overly concerned with these policies. They are only in place now because for every vacancy, there are thousands of applicants. As the industry turns around, and the pool of applicants dwindles, these optional hiring criteria will start to disappear. Not to mention the new rules requiring an ATP for the right seat, and the new rest/duty time rules to come out sometime next year, I'm thinking the regionals will be in a world of hurt.

Sorry everyone, just had to vent a little. I guess that comes from the fact that we're wired to think that every single checking event at our school, whether it's stage checks or final checkrides, is what will either make or break us in employer's eyes. I keep telling myself its just a scare tactic until they use HR3371 to prove a point. Either way, I still make sure every stage check or checkride is a learning experience, no matter what the outcome is.

Anyway, enough complaining from me and back on topic. Best of luck to all of you guys applying or waiting on a call. Keep on truckin.

That's not true anymore. That's one of the main things that the FAA is working on, to make sure those are visible. This was one of the main issues with the Colgan Captain.

most "failed" 141 rides never show up as a "failure" as they usually get converted into a "lesson" in order to preserve the the integrity of EA/ACR.

If an employer wont hire you because you failed a few stage checks at a Part 141 school during primary training or you failed your CFI ride, which I have done the heck with them, and to all those who have not failed a checkride ever good for you, but that does not make you any better then someone who has. The Colgan Captain had problems from the beginning of his training and during his Pt 121 training, that should be what starts sending up warning signs not failing your Private or CFI ride. And that is what I would tell any airline if they were on the fence about hiring me.