Gapilot

I was wondering if there anyone that is currently going through the program on the Airman Trainee and is it worth the idea of looking into doing it even through I do not have a flying job yet and I try to do flying once a month if money is there for flying. I am hoping to land a part time flying while saving up for a CFI. Anything you know about the program is greatly helpful.

Day4mx

I think is point is, born losers like you got on at mainline because of flow when alot of fine pilots didn't/won't. You're a regional lifer with good luck.

billyho

You need luck in this industry bubba.
Good luck to you.

billyho

Or maybe not��

Sounds like someone got a rejection email.

sweetholyjesus

It is worth it if you want a little gas money for the month, and want the displeasure- Excuse me I mean privilege of using our AA non-rev travel benefits. Otherwise it is not exactly revolutionary. Every regional out there worth flying for will hire you on the spot if you can fog a mirror, and will also pay for your CTP and ATP when you have the required flight time.

Personally I don't think it's worth the hassle, but since there's no obligation while you're building time you could take a few online courses for some gas money. But I would be wary about taking the CTP course with AWAC unless you know for sure you want to work here, since there is a 12 month service obligation to Air Wisconsin after entering the CTP course, for the cost of the course..

EDIT: Also since you are not flying very often, I'm not sure it'd be worthwhile. They don't plan for people to be in this program for longer than ~18-24 months or so. They want to see you actively gaining time towards your ATP mins.

Fleron270

It's essentially free money. Complete an IBT/online module monthly, make a monthly phone call, and update your hours online. It's not a lot of money, but AFAIK the only commitment is having to interview for an operational position. You don't have to accept a CJO. You'll get travel benefits and a 401k as well.

sweetholyjesus

401k? Please don't. We are literally talking about $50-$150 per month... But you are correct, there is no financial commitment unless you take the CTP course.

His main question seemed to be whether it's worth it since he only flies once per month and doesn't have a flying job. My first thought would be the company might not find it worth their while. But I don't know what they are looking for as far as initial applicants and their ability to accrue flight time, especially now that recruiting is so desperate. Besides, for less than the cost of one referral bonus they could have one fully brainwashed newbie locked in for 12 months...

Gapilot

Thanks everyone for providing information about the program. It sound like a good idea for someone like me who would like to get my hours up to where the airlines need it at (The long dreaded 1500 hour rule ) However, I got to start somewhere and work my way up, there no easy short cut to getting into the airline, I need to pay my dues in getting up to that ATP requirements.

Well it would be nice if the airline could possibly get the FAA to change the rATP to where it would included the school that run on part 61 and not make it only counted toward the 141 school. It would help me out because all I would need to do is get to the 1250 or even the 1000 hours when I finish my degree for professional pilot in about a year or two. Again that is wishful thinking. Thanks again everyone for providing me the information about the program.

Tester130

If you can get into the program it would not be a bad deal for you. They might not with you only flying once a month, but then you don't have to tell them that. They pay you $100 a month to make a phone call at the beginning of the month and do an online course module of some form towards the end of the month (about 20-30 minutes). You will get Non-Rev on American for you and your family ($50 fee to register each person) and 401k...but I wouldn't count on the 401k as any incentive to get into the program as it will only amount to a few dollars each month.

I'm doing the program mainly so my wife can fly and visit some friends over the next few months. The process I went through for getting in was: went and interviewed near DCA. You take a test (I think it was 20 questions for the airman program). The test isn't pass fail, but more to help them identify some areas they might want to ask you more questions on. The interview is pretty straight forward. In my case they wanted me to go ahead and interview for a FO position as I do have quite a few hours total time, I'm just short on fixed wing time, and I'm building hours quickly as I have access to a plane that I just need to pay for gas and help with maintenance. They gave me a CJO for FO which I thanked them for, but said I couldn't accept at that time due to not knowing my exact future, but I would accept an airman position. I filled out some paperwork and the background stuff and left.

It took a couple months for the background stuff to finish before I got the call that I was good to go. They will arrange travel (flight to/from and hotel) to Philly to process you in for the Airman program. It is done on the 2nd Monday of each month. They will fly you in on a Sunday, and then home Monday evening.

In general, if you have quite a bit of time before you need to pick an airline then it isn't a bad program. An extra $100 a month and if you have time and the flexibility to travel non-rev then that is a bonus. You could also look at some of the other regional airlines that have programs to help pilots build the last few hours they need to qualify for ATP. Republic has one where they will help pay for the last 100 hours. Most programs like those come with a commitment. The nice thing about the Air Wisconsin Airmen program is that there is no commitment unless you take their CTP course.

I hope that helps you and anyone else looking at the program.

Realtalk

Billy of it wasn't for the magical powers that be you'd still be the most senior decrepit disgruntle PDT captain saying how great it is to be flying to ELM for the 3rd time today.

You didn't get to AA based on Merit. You got lucky in a game that's all a crap shoot. I enjoy our banter back and forth but at the end of the day your troll level is boardline depressing.

What do the five fingers say to the face?? Wapppaa