Quote:
Originally Posted by frmrdashtrash
He's not the only one defending the training dept on here. I'll always say there are some deficiencies, but for the most part they do a good job.
I really think some math is required to fully evaluate what's happening, and been the case in the past is the background of the applicant, level of preparedness, and overall maturity level. That, and the internet message board factor. Most who get through training with no issues aren't going to come on here and complain about it.....
Piedmont has been a dying airline for several years now flying an airplane most people don't want to fly with an outdated basing model. In other words, "who the hell would want to fly for Piedmont right now....". Unless training department standards are lowered to reflect this, the washout rate is going to remain high.
I have to wonder why any experienced pilot would be at Piedmont if he doesn't live in one of the bases. Makes me wonder about the quality of the applicants available to the company.
I agree with a good portion of what you say, however, there is more than a shred of truth that the intra-department relationship is toxic...When you have the DoT walk into class and say, "All you new-hires GTFO", and then within days the chief pilots both show up for a meeting with the new-hires to rally them to write letters corporate to censure this individual. That is a HUGE RED FLAG. In fact, I knew that when there was no formal introduction of the training department staff in CLT that this place was "different" and the rumors had some truth. This class had former 121 pilots, a former USAF Major that was a Minuteman missile launch control officer and C-141 FE (during his enlisted career).
Are there good instructors. Absolutely no doubt, are there a couple that shouldn't be teaching pilots let alone teaching how to wire a 3-wire doorbell, absolutely. The crap goes on here, because it is a reflection of the overall apathy of the employees to a large extent. It is all coming to head because of one very important reason, lack of leadership. No question about that in my mind, and in my military mind I cannot see how it has been allowed to continue by corporate. They are not ignorant of a good portion of what is going on. But, kicking the can down the road in the interest of their own self-interest and their fragile egos.
None of what I have said here is hearsay, I was there...I stood up and told the CP exactly what I saw that started this entire ugly, unfortunate incident. So, after reading the manifesto of the pilot that had an unfortunate training experience I wasn't completely skeptical of either his situation of what is going on. And, the other things he described while rather shocking, I cannot say that I am surprised.
I am one of those poor basta*rds you described as being foolish enough to come here because I live in-base, I am a single-parent and there is very little that I have to loose. Perhaps you might know me? I hope that I demonstrated that I still give 100% in the cockpit...I have already lost everything. You can't kick anyone that is still on the ground. So, at this point I feel that one has to try and stand-up for what is right and let the chips fall where they may.