UAL Training Question
 

Like UAL, all CAL training is AQP. Not counting "short cycle" (pass, but we want to see you more often than normal) events, our normal footprint is a full Maneuvers Validation (V1 cut, etc.) and Line Operated Evaluation (Graded LOFT) every 12 months on the 737 and 756, and a full MV/LOE every 18 months on the 777, with a MV every nine, between the full training events. Line checks are every two years unless you're short cycled. What are the AQP footprints for the various communities at UAL?

The AQP is essentially the same. We have some kind of check every 9 months. It's either a PC or PT. PC is 3 days with an MTV event on day 2 and an LOE (Loft) on Day 3. The PT is 2 Days and is no jeaprody - sort of. The 777 and the 400 have lapse landing sims as required and I believe the same 18 months PC/PT cycle. I just came back from a PC and had a "Data Collector" sitting in the sim on the Day 3 LOE. Apparently the purpose of the "DATA Collector" is to merge UAL's and CAL's training methods - somehow. At my recent PC we were told that the 757 V1 cut profiles will be changing to standardize it across the fleets but they wanted to look at CAL's V1 cut profile before making the change.
At UAL, in most cases, I have always found an adversarial relationship between the Standards Captains and the pilot being checked but in recent times this attitude has changed somewhat.

On the the bus, assuming you are not on special tracking (they want to see you more often), you alternate PT to PC every nine months... so you are taking a full PC (checking) every 18 months. The PC is a three day event with practice the first day, a maneuvers validation (V1cut, etc.) the second and a LOFT on the third day. (they also do spot training- windshear, egpws, advanced maneuvers, etc.). The PT is a training event and is two days long. You practice maneuvers, learn to work the doors again, etc... supposed to be low/no threat. The training and PC are good and the evaluators are reasonable (from my experience). All fleets are the same... the widebodies have some landings events if you go non-current... not an issue for the bus :)

oops, someone already answered :)

In my time at United, I have had only one check ride where the Standards Capt was adversarial. The rest were just fine. They all have their issues, but they want to see you succeed. The job share guys tend to be more realistic. Then you have the job share folks who were rEAL. Good times.

Thanks, all. Our annual training is only two days at CAL, we don't get a separate warm up sim and we do all of our FAA mandated doors and classroom stuff in the domiciles. Our 777 is 9/18 months like your fleets except only 1/2 days. Now that you mention the V1 cut profile, I seem to remember talking with UAL guys in my reserve unit who said you guys accelerate level, while we have a slight climb. Thanks again.

V1 cuts seem to be pretty std throughout the fleets? I have flown 737, A320, DC10, 757/767 and as I recall, they used to accelerate at 500 feet on engine out, now we accelerate at 800 for normal and engine outs (all fleets I believe). They just did a FM revision that changed our acceleration heights for engine out and all engines missed approach from 1,500 AFE to 800 AFE to standardize, I guess? :) The bus uses SRS guidance on engine out which climbs/accelerates... I THINK that was similar to other fleets, but they have different FD guidance. On engine out takeoff, they have us climb to 1,500 AFE before starting a turn maneuver unless a specified "t" procedure is published for airport/runway.

PS.. I have been at UA about 15 years and have never had any "adversarial" check rides... maybe the luck of the draw-- but, I agree with Fritz, that the job share STD CAs are the most "line oriented." :)

Who does the actual training at CAL. At UAL we have pilot instructors (PI's) who are line pilots (F/O's) who do the training and some checking events,MTS's PV's stuff like that. We then have Standards captains and job share standards captains who do checking, sim and line.

How's it work over at CAL?

Full time instructor captains. The company has floated the idea of using FOs like you guys do as instructors and Line Check Airmen (I think that equates to your Standards Captains) who would occasionally go to the sim building to do checking events. Interestingly the talk of changing the way we do things began before the merger announcement, but after UAL and CAL were sniffing around each other in '08. Very few (I've had none) adversarial instructors at CAL.