Regional initial training programs
 

I apologize if this has been discussed already, but as I am getting ready to enter the 121 world, I would appreciate feedback on initial training.
I have read horror stories about PDT and their training department. Not sure how true this is. Any others like this with people in the training department there to "get you"?
I am ready to study hard and do everything to make it to the line but what happens if one fails initial training? Does this mean end of flying career? Or one can be hired at another carrier?
Thanks all for the feedback!

I was at PDT. I saw multiple guys careers end before they even got out of the sim. Just a bloodbath over there.

Baron, any training or checking failure at the 121 level is not good for your career progression to a major airline. That being said it's not impossible to have a clean record: study well, prepare to the best of your abilities, be a professional and knock it out of the park. As you said some regionals have notorious training departments with high washout rates. This is intentional and my belief is that it is for liability reasons. Too easy and they leave themselves open to lawsuits in case of an accident. Be knowledgeable about who wants to put you in their new hire class.

PDT training department is a mess iv seen it first hand...

I can say with utmost certainty that if you have a good attitude, SkyWest will do everything possible to get you through.

Good luck

Typically turboprop training tends to be a little more difficult versus CRJ or ERJ.

Regional training consists of INDOC (rules, procedures), Systems (hydraulic, powerplant, avionics), CBT or ground trainer for flows and finally the simulator. Memory items and limitations will be memorized before starting class.

Total initial training time is about 8 weeks. You will study about 2-4 hours a night, depending on how quickly you absorb the material. Based on people I have talked to, if you possess a good attitude, study like crazy, the airline will give you enough training to pass the checkride.

You can be an idiot but if you work hard and show that you want it you will get help. You can be sharp as a tack but if you dont care or act like you are better you are screwed no matter how smart you are. Just show them you want it and they will bend over backwards to help you.

A guy in my class who everyone liked failed the systems test. One of the instructors actually came to our hotel after class and had a personal 4 hour review session with the guy on his own time without getting paid for it. He passed the test with 96% the very next day which was better than the score most of the other people in class got.

You really have to try to fail training at Skywest.

I thought skywest was known for being rigorous no? Or does it not matter because they do whatever they can to get you through regardless of how tough it is.

The interview is the hard part. I wouldn't say training is easy but the training department will do anything they can to get you through as long as you put in a little effort. Brasilia training was harder than CRJ training. No one in my Brasilia or CRJ class failed.