Depends on who it is. The guy I had, who is now on the line, was very knowledgeable, and if he didn't know the answer to a question, would have it by the end of the next break. I thought my ground training was great.

 

The EmbryO's aren't the issue. Most of them are fine, if not a bit unappreciative of the incredible shortcut they all just scored. If you ask them a line operations question they don't know, they'll get back to you with an answer. Their systems knowledge is commendable.

At least, mine did.

No, the real issue with the indoc remains that it's an absurdly long day, 10 hours (11-12 with hotel transportation factored in), a lousy hotel completely unsuitable for any stay longer than 3 days, no laundry, no affordable eating establishments within a quick walking distance, zero time to decompress or study, just non-stop firehose for two solid weeks.

We're not a an entry-level regional job; this is supposed to be an enjoyable experience, not the most stressful two weeks of your aviation career.

 

The same people who made the decisions to use that horrible hotel (I agree, its horrible) and made the decisions to present training as an ad-nauseum powerpoint slide are the guys who also made the decisions to utilize a particular instructor pool.

I've got nothing against the guys as individual people, but I'm not going to give an 'atta-boy' to the system they work within, and that they continue to nurture and support. Spirit ALPA is the line pilots - we can change our leadership if we want. The training department and the way they treat new-hires COULD change . . . they just don't want to.

 

Yep, agreed!

 

Thanks, Gringo.

 

Yes, I agree also. 5th airline for me and by far the most stressful training. Between trying to figure out passwords for the multiple websites, find information in manuals that you can't have hard copies of, conflicting information in each manual. Getting a different instructor every day in the FTD and getting conflicting info from each instructor because his "technique" was better than the other guys then if you are lucky, you can be blessed with having a real unprofessional instructor that should never be allowed to teach, SH.
The transportation issue was horrible, best to hook up with someone with a car or just bring your own if possible.
This place pats itself on the back because it thinks it has excellent training, the only thing real about it is it is designed to get a pilot through as fast and cheaply as possible.
AQP would be great, but this place would have to fire 50% of the box checkers and get guys that want to follow AQP and train to proficiency.

 

"Ever been trained at FSI? It's safe to say almost 99% of there instructors have NEVER touch the aircraft they train. FSI is the premium sim training company in the world. I know most if not all airlines use instructors that have never flown the aircraft. Surprise!"


I have been to FSI and found it was a very professional and extremely organized experience. Many of the instructors I had contact with had a vast amount of experience so it didn't matter if they had never flown the airplane they were teaching.
They never rushed you and I always felt prepared.

 

Spirit is a really great place to work in my opinion. However, the "New Hire" training was the most intense I have ever had looking back at the previous airlines I had worked for. Only had time for 4 hours of sleep each night because of the amount of material I needed to have memorized in an extremely short amount of time. And I thought I did my Homework by having the CBT done, limitations and memory items all done and memorized before training even started. This fire hose was extra wide for the volume of water that came out of it.

 

- New hire training now 14 per class.
- Interviews continue....several yesterday.
- 9 in my class DTW, 3 LAS Oct award
- Most jr DFW FO Oct award had type ride last week, on OE now.
- Captain upgrade classes steady (forget number per class but it's also increasing)
- Training dept and instructors are great.

 

Let's just say the ground training wasn't really training at all. It was a lot of power point and trying to stay awake. The Crowne Plaza had a nice pool, the FAs staying there made it interesting, but with an over priced restaurant and poor transportation, it left a lot to be desired. The touch screen computers were cool, but after awhile I started to lose interest. Not enough sim sessions but I understand they're expensive. All in all though, the instructors were really good, I felt ready for my oral and type ride. It wasn't a super easy training program but it wasn't really hard at all.