And that's the way it's always been in USandA. Who you know, not what you know.

 

That's not entirely true. It likely takes both.

I know a guy who had 8000+ PIC in Boeings/Airbus and didn't get a call until he got a rec. Just because you think your times are great, doesn't mean there aren't others who have more/better time.

 

I had 10,000 total, 7,000 121 jet PIC, 1,000 of giving OE, 14 Recs, Masters and it took me just shy of 1.5 years to get the call last year. Don't worry they'll call ya I promise, don't lose the faith it's a great place to be regardless of what all these Nancy's put on here!

 

OK, so are they hiring RJ F/O's? If the answer is yes, I've made my point.

 

I'm just as frustrated.

 

One thing I will advise is that the people who do the sim prep are either UAL pilots or ex UAL pilots by in large. With that in mind, think of who their friends might be, you spend the money with them, you get the prep, it helps you, it helps them, it most likely helps get a job. I know paying the $$$ stinks, but in a few months you won't even remember it.

 

Nothing like pilots taking advantage of pilots.

 

How is it taking advantage when they are helping you prep for your dream job?

 

Having done the sim prep, there are two points I'll make for your consideration.

1) You get to fly and practice the exact profile you will fly during the interview. Your instructor will give you the "sim-isms"/quirks for the box and a few pointers along the way. It makes that part of your interview low stress.

2) My sim partner during practice (it doesn't always happen that way) was a USAF 737 guy. My understanding was that his aircraft was basically the same as the civilian 737NG. Different cockpit setup/scan. Also, you fly the entire profile hands on, no autopilot/FMS. He was rough at first but did OK. He said he was very happy that he did the sim prep. He thinks he could have muddled through the actual sim, but it wouldn't have been pretty. He said his interview sim flight was solid. That's just one data point of course.

In my mind, $1100 is a small price to pay to ensure you nail one portion of the interview at your dream job.

 

If it is was non-profit I'd agree they were "helping" you.
We disagree. That's fine. I've done sim prep before for a previous company. It was very similar and a complete racket.