Notices
SkyWest Regional Airline

Training issues at SKW

Old 01-10-2019, 09:12 PM
  #11  
On Reserve
 
Joined APC: Jan 2014
Posts: 12
Default

I had a similar experience to the OP on the CRJ. My sim partner didn’t make it through systems and I struggled. Call outs are hard to practice on your own and others were busy practicing with their sim partners. I observed others sim sessions that were much smoother than mine. I had a different instructor every day so poor continuity. Had the late sim session 8pm to 2 am which was tiring since noise in the hotel started at 6 am and sleep was difficult. Not having a sim partner meant not watching someone else go through the maneuvers to learn from their mistakes. Ended up using up my extra sim sessions and made dumb mistakes in the Manevers Validation so was told by the examiner I should be good with a training session then retest. I got a call from the training manager and he said I used up my sessions so it was the end of the line. Was told I should come back in 6 mos because I was really close and was the kind of person they wanted at SW. Most of my instructors were great, one was terrible and I had the examiner that was the gossip at the water cooler as the toughest. I’m not one to make excuses and I studied my butt off but couldn’t pull it off. Undecided if I will return at SW.
PhotoFlyer is offline  
Old 01-10-2019, 10:17 PM
  #12  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Joined APC: Oct 2016
Posts: 846
Default

Originally Posted by TFAYD View Post
The quality gate has been moved from recruiting to training a while ago.



And despite some interesting characters like F15 Jimbo, I found the training to be top notch. I would consider it industry leading.



TFAYD

Industry leading? Is the training, train to proficiency? Is there the ability to get a different instructor? Is there the ability for a union rep to observe a training session? Is there a training review board? Those are all things that are standard at most unionized airlines.
Nevjets is offline  
Old 01-10-2019, 10:38 PM
  #13  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Joined APC: Dec 2018
Posts: 1,066
Default

Originally Posted by Nevjets View Post
Industry leading? Is the training, train to proficiency? Is there the ability to get a different instructor? Is there the ability for a union rep to observe a training session? Is there a training review board? Those are all things that are standard at most unionized airlines.
Funny how everything with you ends up a big union endorsement.

I was talking about training quality - not union remedies.

There are plenty of union carriers out there with a sterling program - XJT probably being the leader in that camp. So folks have option.

TFAYD
TFAYD is offline  
Old 01-10-2019, 11:10 PM
  #14  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Joined APC: Jan 2012
Posts: 490
Default

Is there a writeup/gouge of what the maneuvers validation is like?
I.e engine failures and other basic procedures?
Hawker445 is offline  
Old 01-10-2019, 11:57 PM
  #15  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Joined APC: Aug 2007
Position: I pilot
Posts: 2,049
Default

Originally Posted by Hawker445 View Post
Is there a writeup/gouge of what the maneuvers validation is like?
I.e engine failures and other basic procedures?
Yes. You cover every single maneuver in training sessions before taking the maneuvers validation. No surprises.
zondaracer is offline  
Old 01-11-2019, 03:36 AM
  #16  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Joined APC: Jul 2008
Posts: 4,203
Default

Originally Posted by PhotoFlyer View Post
I had a similar experience to the OP on the CRJ. My sim partner didn’t make it through systems and I struggled. Call outs are hard to practice on your own and others were busy practicing with their sim partners. I observed others sim sessions that were much smoother than mine. I had a different instructor every day so poor continuity. Had the late sim session 8pm to 2 am which was tiring since noise in the hotel started at 6 am and sleep was difficult. Not having a sim partner meant not watching someone else go through the maneuvers to learn from their mistakes. Ended up using up my extra sim sessions and made dumb mistakes in the Manevers Validation so was told by the examiner I should be good with a training session then retest. I got a call from the training manager and he said I used up my sessions so it was the end of the line. Was told I should come back in 6 mos because I was really close and was the kind of person they wanted at SW. Most of my instructors were great, one was terrible and I had the examiner that was the gossip at the water cooler as the toughest. I’m not one to make excuses and I studied my butt off but couldn’t pull it off. Undecided if I will return at SW.

Sorry to hear.. but you said only 1 extra session? You get 8 hrs extra... not just one session.. i hope you either find a good home elsewhere or you come back. They have hired a whole bunch of new sim instructor and a new training manager. I had a freind in that same boat. He came back and is glad he did..
amcnd is offline  
Old 01-11-2019, 04:41 AM
  #17  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Joined APC: May 2011
Posts: 382
Default

Originally Posted by PapaJaime View Post

No, it was not an easy program, Skywest is rumored to have the hardest training program of 121 operators
This made me laugh
BrewCity is offline  
Old 01-11-2019, 06:42 AM
  #18  
On Reserve
 
Joined APC: Jan 2014
Posts: 12
Default

Originally Posted by amcnd View Post
Sorry to hear.. but you said only 1 extra session? You get 8 hrs extra... not just one session.. i hope you either find a good home elsewhere or you come back. They have hired a whole bunch of new sim instructor and a new training manager. I had a freind in that same boat. He came back and is glad he did..
Thanks for the encouragement. I actually used up my extra sessions. I really did enjoy the whole experience even though I wasn’t able to finish. I made some great friends and most of the instructors were fantastic. My flows and callouts were a little behind. Everything “clicked” for me but it happened just a little too late. I put a business and family life on hold to do this and have to evaluate whether I want to do it again. I love to fly and may look for a local gig or something else on the west coast. I have no regrets for the time I spent at SW and would consider giving it another shot. A friend just got through E175 training and is enjoying it and telling me I should come back😁
PhotoFlyer is offline  
Old 01-11-2019, 09:00 AM
  #19  
Line Holder
 
Joined APC: Apr 2017
Posts: 55
Default

Curious, what was your aviation background?
Squawkbox2012 is online now  
Old 01-11-2019, 09:01 AM
  #20  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Joined APC: Jan 2019
Posts: 1,130
Default

This was in part why our pay rose mid agreement while classes were full. We now have people here who should never have made it through training.
captive apple is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
BFMthisA10
Air Wisconsin
24
11-03-2021 08:12 PM
KennyG1700
Flight Schools and Training
40
08-01-2019 12:53 AM
okieskies99
United
4
07-03-2017 11:55 PM
blaquehawk99
Flight Schools and Training
29
06-11-2015 09:51 AM
Nevets
Regional
80
07-30-2009 07:57 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Your Privacy Choices