Sorry to hear about the KV bust. Were you in DEN by chance? Was your APD being very release question heavy in the KV? If so, I hear he has a high failure rate (not that it's an excuse, but you're not alone).

Thanks man. Yep I was in DEN, and was asked quite a lot of questions about the release. I asked around and it turns out 7/10 people who went to STL and about 50-60% of our class overall didn’t pass the KV the first time, I think it’s problematic but it is what it is.

What about the KV did you not understand, and how can you learn from the KV and how can those following behind you learn from your mistakes?
What system, FAR, or SOP items were most confusing and how could the instructors better prepared you?
Was there a common misconception among your classmates, or was it just something you should have studied but glossed over instead.

Don't worry right now about how this affects your future prospects and how to pad your resume. Worry about becoming the best FO you can. Learn from your captains, be present in the cockpit and keep your record as clean as possible and things will work out for themselves. Plenty of others have had setbacks and come out ahead.

What were the initials of this check airman?
I don’t think ST is allowed to do check rides anymore, only training sessions

I’ve heard like half the company is on “special tracking” (if I understand correctly, if you bust any part of training or require 2 add on sessions then you get put on special tracking).

And if you see how desperate the hiring sprees are and the raise to the top on regional pay (by everyone but skywest…), I think you’ll be fine. I was jumpseating with a guy at delta (former skywest) who said he had three busts and still got hired by delta.

I don’t have any definitive advice but it’s hard to believe busting the KV and a couple busts back in initial certificate training could set you back much in today’s pilot hiring happy climate. Just be ready to spin it positively in your future interviews.

ST does IOE for sure. I had him for training in the sim. Has a reputation for sure, but I actually had a good experience with him. I just don’t think he suffers fools.

So don’t be a fool?

It was not ST, I’d rather not say who it was since I’m not looking to dox anyone or create any trouble with the company at all or for the APD. While I disagree with the bust, I’ve realized he probably felt it wasn’t satisfactory, so it is what it is at this point.

I’ve realized how I can spin this as a learning lesson, since I did end up becoming stronger in subject areas that I came in relatively weak. I’ve hit the books and am hoping to pass my recheck once it happens.

Obviously I’m sure there’s no way to have the bust removed, and so it’s something I’ll be living with for the rest of my career. I’m hoping that it won’t stop me from getting interviewed at United or American down the road, and if anything, I can make up for the bust in other ways, especially by explaining what I’ve learned and how it will help me be a better pilot.

I appreciate all the advice I’ve gotten so far and hope to pass, do well on IOE, fly the line, and move forward with my career. Thanks everyone!

Quick question
 

What is a KT? I am going to DEN in two months. What do you recommend for us coming behind you?

In case you missed it Mesa just got huge raises. PIC's 20yr scale starting at $150 going to $217; F/O starts at $100 and goes to $110.

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