Jet- congrats on getting hired. The training wasn't bad, I felt like they do a good job of trying to make a program that fits everyones needs. I just saw places where there could be improvements. I started when things were just getting going and United had just hired a bunch of new instructors. So things could be different now. For me I tried pretty hard to know the material in the books. However, every session the instructor had a different way of doing things which ended up confusing a bunch of us in class (many in our class felt the same way). So standardization could be improved. Also scheduling a different instructor for every event made that situation worse. Overall good experience. The instructors were good guys and gals. They really want to see everyone through. Some cared more then others but overall I had a good experience. You will too!

 

What part of Bizarro world are you in. LCAL mgt is driving this ship not LUAL

 

Just be careful what you read and get absorbed into. I know that there are 2 guys on here that post, that are acutally in the UND..University of North Dakota flying program here posing as United pilots that just bash stuff. Take most of the negative commentary with a grain of salt....they post on here to attempt to stir things up.

you can create a profile and put anything down you want.

 

Yeah, I know. And really? Nothing better to do with their time?

 

mcurtool has a good post above.
I've been through both buildings. I laughed when he said Cal schedule is more "fluid". Wow, what a nice way to say unorganized, random, scatter-brained, ad-libbed, unpredictable, or from-the-hip.
At TK you get a full print-out of your whole training schedule, with what instructor (with the same instructor for each week of training), in what room of the building, at what time. Organized and professional.
At the CAL sim building, 20-some guys crowd around the top of the stairway waiting for some random instructor to walk down the hall and yell your name out. Then wander through the building opening random doors looking for a briefing room. What a joke.

 

It shouldn't be this way. The United training center was set up to run like a military organization, which means efficient, professional, and on time. I've never been to the CAL guppy school, but it sounds like they should try a little organization at least.

 

In all my military training, what point 99 describes is exactly how we do it. Wait around the ready room for an instructor you may or may not already know, meet and shake hands, then look for a place to brief.

I had no complaints about Guppy skool. They are at max capacity and if that means max flexibility, so be it. I have no ego and don't need to be pandered to (I'm not saying anyone does) and I understand they need me in/out as safely and efficiently as possible. Guys who may have needed refly's, got them. The instructors are professional, knowledgeable and are there for you round the clock. Almost every one finishes a debrief with a business card and a "call me any time." I would describe the place as a constant balancing act of safety and efficiency, based on how fast they're cranking guys through.

Consider too this, UAL pays new hires about $7k/ month (that's pay and per diem), pays for hotels, all travel expenses and you can positive space home whenever the schedule allows. From a new hire standpoint you've already made more than a DAL new hire will for the first year, before you're even done with IOE.

 

Organization and adequate staffing have a direct correlation. Without enough people to do a job, it will never be organized and the best they can do is put out fires. I submit last week's meltdown with crew scheduling as exhibit number one. Crew scheduling is not incompetent, they're too few. Pilots aren't being uncooperative, they're too few. Maintenance isn't on a learning curve, they're too few. Payroll isn't slow rolling us, they're too few. They all want to to their jobs and do them well, but when there are too few of them, the operation suffers. This is MBA 101 and the execs know this and they do not care.

 

Your kidding right, man we sure have short memories at ual

 

That should read Navy training. That is not how it is in the AF.