When DAL first got 72's the book was almost all TBD. The oral was with NE FAA guys... If you were smart you had a NE manual...Survival man, survival.

Curious what exactly you didn't like about the 737 training? Thought the CBT had modules that could have been better, scheduling could have been more streamlined, an awful lot of time spent on RNAV approaches instead of ILS at speeds ATC usually requests, and not incorporating ACARS into sims. On the other hand sim instructors were almost all great, support staff was helpful, and breakfast burritos were awesome, but they are gone now.

The ground instructors, CBT and facilities in IAH were horrible. The entire purpose of the first two weeks was to pass a ridiculous rote memory test where many of the questions/answers were either wrong or wholly ridiculous and unnecessary. I learned more from a set of flashcards than I learned from the instruction given WRT systems. The ground instructors were ill prepared to answer real questions. Worst I've seen in 20+ years in this industry.

The flight instructors were on average very good. In particular, the F/O instructors (the newer ones) were far better than the "Line Check Airman" type that we had for the later sims. General instructor continuity was unacceptable. Shouldn't have a new instructor for each day. The Miami sim was somewhat unreliable, and there was zero support structure WRT the Miami operation. Fortunately, the hotel didn't suck, and there were lots of good food options close to the new hotel. Shouldn't matter but it does. Much better than IAH under the 15L departure path, and limited food choices. Overall, I preferred MIA.

Finally, the last week was a waste of time. After the MV, we did the IOPS loft. Poorly presented, poorly executed. I hope that guys are getting more from the route check than we got in the sim. Pretty weak.

Then, we did the LOE prep. What a horribly designed sim session. The first leg made sense, but the whole MMEX leg was a cluster. In our case, the instructor was rushed as we had lost time due to a sim issue. Not a good experience.

Finally, we had exactly one sim session that even remotely represented what actually happens on the line WRT Acars 2.0 and Sabre. It happened in FTB something. No continuity. Lots of negative training. "Our airplanes don't do that" was spoken numerous times daily. Fun.

Enough?

Scott

Typically the company's (ie flight ops management) judgment is off. Many decisions are made for convenience sake. I can look at some of the people who have been elevated to positions of authority over the years and just scratch my head. Now, as they mature into their roles and get more influence, it's no wonder that their judgment gets called out.

Sure, people can get their butt in a jam, but that has nothing to do with the issue. That is separate, and if you are professional and make the best decisions you can for the good of the operation your chief pilot will take care of you.

Criticizing what needs to be criticized is actually a constructive way to deal with things. We could put our head in the sand and pretend this stuff isn't important, or we could be proactive and suggest a better course of action. Isn't that what CRM is all about? It's not my problem that I speak the truth, but it may be someone's problem up the food chain if the management peeps involved just pretend this isn't germane to their job function or the long term health of the airline.

I can't speak of UALs process or the quality of applicants getting hired today, but it has to be better than 96-99.

I used to go to DEN TK to qual/requal on the HGS (HUD) in the 727.

We'd have lunch sometime with interviewees/new hires. It was amusing to be told by a 500 hour wonder that we'd make it to the big time just like them someday. Um yeah, you're a new hire 727 FE and I've sat in every seat on the airplane.

Never did break the code back in the day even with a rec from a -400 captain.

Could not possibly disagree more. Your chief pilot is a management pilot. He will not take care of you. He is not looking out for you. If you honestly think that UCH management (your chief pilot) has your back, you're delusional.

Scott

If "take care of you" means lecturing, ordering, punishing, or admonishing you, yes you will be "taken care of". There is only one person a management pilot is looking out for.

That hasn't been my experience. I have had to make some tough calls operationally speaking and I explained my actions and I have come out on the other side just fine. Not everything in Aviation is in "the book." Sometimes you need to use your best judgment and trust your boss. Likely the topic for another thread. But, if I didn't feel supported in the CPO, I wouldn't fly in the left seat. I have no problems making decisions, but it is a comfort knowing your CP "gets it."

If the Chief Pilot isn't a pilot advocate first, then the line pilots will let that be known and operational reliability, and other things like sick leave will get noticed. I recall Andy Joost getting a lateral transfer of sorts, Hugh Dean, getting booted, and a few others over the years that when they acted in the wrong interests and against the interests of line pilots they were asked to leave the office.

You have it backwards.

If the CPO advocates for the line pilots too much, senior management pilots give them the axe.