CommutAir Rumors and Info
02-14-2020, 12:07 PM
#5341
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2016
Posts: 233
I am a former EMB-145 Check Airman.
At the end of your PC after you are signed off by your UOE Check Airman, I ask myself one question: Would I put my family on your airplane? If I can answer yes, you pass.
Demonstrate good judgement, exhibit Captains Authority during ALL phases of your flight. For example, while at the gate during boarding, do you listen to what is going on behind you? Are you listening to what the passengers and FA are saying? Be ready to offer help or guidance to either when appropriate. Remember that some of our FAs are new as well. It's a small thing but you are the final authority when push comes to shove and you need to be engaged during all phases of a trip. When something is going sideways, who are they going to turn to for an answer? Be the Man/Woman, get up and take care of business when necessary and/or prudent.
Know how to accomplish a visual approach at any point on arrival! Be ready to take charge when things are going wrong. FMS, autopilot/flight guidance, WX, and ATC are all factors that have caused me to interrupt what's happening and take charge of the airplane. I've denied a few guys during their PC for failing to demonstrate that they can handle these things. There are other things that can trip you up as well. I like the "slow down" mentality. Plan ahead. A little bit of paranoia is a good thing. There are many more things I could mention.
Being a Captain is way more than most non-captains understand. One of my comments to a new FO is to realize that simply because your captain isn't doing or saying anything doesn't mean that they are not thinking about what is happening or what is coming and making decisions about that. Remember my comment about listening at the gate? Do you think the FO sitting next to you knows that I am doing that? Same thing goes for other phases of flight. The last thing you want as Captain is to be surprised. Being a Captain is way more than knowing the FOM or how to fly the airplane.
Also, remember that mentoring your FOs is part of your job description. If your Check Airman deliberately (or otherwise!) plays dumb during your PC, make that a debrief item. Tact is appropriate at that time...
At the end of your PC after you are signed off by your UOE Check Airman, I ask myself one question: Would I put my family on your airplane? If I can answer yes, you pass.
Demonstrate good judgement, exhibit Captains Authority during ALL phases of your flight. For example, while at the gate during boarding, do you listen to what is going on behind you? Are you listening to what the passengers and FA are saying? Be ready to offer help or guidance to either when appropriate. Remember that some of our FAs are new as well. It's a small thing but you are the final authority when push comes to shove and you need to be engaged during all phases of a trip. When something is going sideways, who are they going to turn to for an answer? Be the Man/Woman, get up and take care of business when necessary and/or prudent.
Know how to accomplish a visual approach at any point on arrival! Be ready to take charge when things are going wrong. FMS, autopilot/flight guidance, WX, and ATC are all factors that have caused me to interrupt what's happening and take charge of the airplane. I've denied a few guys during their PC for failing to demonstrate that they can handle these things. There are other things that can trip you up as well. I like the "slow down" mentality. Plan ahead. A little bit of paranoia is a good thing. There are many more things I could mention.
Being a Captain is way more than most non-captains understand. One of my comments to a new FO is to realize that simply because your captain isn't doing or saying anything doesn't mean that they are not thinking about what is happening or what is coming and making decisions about that. Remember my comment about listening at the gate? Do you think the FO sitting next to you knows that I am doing that? Same thing goes for other phases of flight. The last thing you want as Captain is to be surprised. Being a Captain is way more than knowing the FOM or how to fly the airplane.
Also, remember that mentoring your FOs is part of your job description. If your Check Airman deliberately (or otherwise!) plays dumb during your PC, make that a debrief item. Tact is appropriate at that time...
02-15-2020, 06:07 AM
#5342
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2005
Posts: 242
Wise words. I've often seen captains sitting in their seat quiet during boarding but I'm smart enough to know they're not thinking about banging their girlfriend when they get home (well, they're probably thinking about that, but not ONLY about that). They're developing their plan of attack, alternatives, and listening and looking at everything going on around them, including what the FO is doing (or not doing, as the case may be).
As one captain put it to me -- we're both PIC type rated and we're expected to be equally good at flying the airplane. The main differences between the seats are the responsibility and leadership required to sit on the left side, and this is not to be taken lightly. Put another way, good captains make being a captain look positively easy. It's not.
As one captain put it to me -- we're both PIC type rated and we're expected to be equally good at flying the airplane. The main differences between the seats are the responsibility and leadership required to sit on the left side, and this is not to be taken lightly. Put another way, good captains make being a captain look positively easy. It's not.
One more comment for new Captains. Back-up your FA (unless he/she is bat-sh-t crazy; you should ask for replacement in that case anyway). Keep in mind that the FA needs to be confident that the passengers are going to comply with their instructions, especially in an emergency. If a passenger is being non-compliant, that passenger is a danger to all of the other passengers (as well as the FA) and could be the difference between life or death to another person. That sounds dramatic but simply consider other accident scenarios and the impact that a non-compliant passenger would have. If an FA comes to you and says they are not comfortable with a passenger or that a passenger is being verbally abusive or disregarding their instructions ( a few examples), you need to get involved. Find out what the real deal is and make a determination of whether you are going to allow that passenger to remain on board or not. I have had several passengers removed over the years for the above mentioned reasons. Sometimes it is alcohol related. That doesn't matter. A good, talented FA will many times diffuse the situation and you won't even know it happened. If the FA is trying to work it out, let them try. If this passenger is obviously not going to work out, get involved despite not being asked by the FA. Some FAs are proud of their abilities; you need to be confident that the situation is under control before you push back. If the situation requires removing the passenger, stay at the gate, get a gate agent and tell them what happened and that you need to have that passenger removed. One time I had to turn around and go back to the gate. The FA and I learned a valuable lesson on that flight. Be decisive! Be ready to give a simple, concrete reason for your decision. You are responsible for the safety of everyone on-board your airplane.
Some passengers like to think they are entitled because they paid for a ticket. That simply gives them a shot at being on your flight. If they screw it up, that's on them. There are simple rules of civility that apply, even to airline passengers. Unfortunately, some don't receive those lessons growing up.
The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. Or the needs of that one passenger.
02-16-2020, 01:55 PM
#5343
Line Holder
Joined APC: Feb 2020
Posts: 27
Opinions/Advice
Hello all, new to the forums. As mentioned in other threads I’m here seeking advice and also come here with a 121 failure. I would have liked to return to previous regional since it was different airframe, after the timeframe to reapply is over, but circumstances have changed. Looking to be based in IAD.
As far as my failure goes that rests entirely on me. I put a lot of pressure on myself having no previous failures and I let it get in the way of my performance the day it counted most. I only had to repeat 1 sim at my previous place and the Instructors were very helpful when help was needed.
If someone or multiple folks could please give me their opinion(s) on CommutAir I’d really appreciate it. Specifically thoughts on training, do Instructors care about your success or “push them through” mentality? Are extra sims provided or is it one and done kind of deal? Just wondering since I’d be coming in with a previous failure, if even given an opportunity, and this would essentially be my last attempt at an airline career. Also, any ideas of the company’s future and what these contract negotiations possibly have in store for the company? Thank you for the help.
As far as my failure goes that rests entirely on me. I put a lot of pressure on myself having no previous failures and I let it get in the way of my performance the day it counted most. I only had to repeat 1 sim at my previous place and the Instructors were very helpful when help was needed.
If someone or multiple folks could please give me their opinion(s) on CommutAir I’d really appreciate it. Specifically thoughts on training, do Instructors care about your success or “push them through” mentality? Are extra sims provided or is it one and done kind of deal? Just wondering since I’d be coming in with a previous failure, if even given an opportunity, and this would essentially be my last attempt at an airline career. Also, any ideas of the company’s future and what these contract negotiations possibly have in store for the company? Thank you for the help.
02-16-2020, 05:24 PM
#5344
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2008
Posts: 161
Hello all, new to the forums. As mentioned in other threads I’m here seeking advice and also come here with a 121 failure. I would have liked to return to previous regional since it was different airframe, after the timeframe to reapply is over, but circumstances have changed. Looking to be based in IAD.
As far as my failure goes that rests entirely on me. I put a lot of pressure on myself having no previous failures and I let it get in the way of my performance the day it counted most. I only had to repeat 1 sim at my previous place and the Instructors were very helpful when help was needed.
If someone or multiple folks could please give me their opinion(s) on CommutAir I’d really appreciate it. Specifically thoughts on training, do Instructors care about your success or “push them through” mentality? Are extra sims provided or is it one and done kind of deal? Just wondering since I’d be coming in with a previous failure, if even given an opportunity, and this would essentially be my last attempt at an airline career. Also, any ideas of the company’s future and what these contract negotiations possibly have in store for the company? Thank you for the help.
As far as my failure goes that rests entirely on me. I put a lot of pressure on myself having no previous failures and I let it get in the way of my performance the day it counted most. I only had to repeat 1 sim at my previous place and the Instructors were very helpful when help was needed.
If someone or multiple folks could please give me their opinion(s) on CommutAir I’d really appreciate it. Specifically thoughts on training, do Instructors care about your success or “push them through” mentality? Are extra sims provided or is it one and done kind of deal? Just wondering since I’d be coming in with a previous failure, if even given an opportunity, and this would essentially be my last attempt at an airline career. Also, any ideas of the company’s future and what these contract negotiations possibly have in store for the company? Thank you for the help.
IAD is a pretty small base with less flying than EWR. It can be had pretty quick as an FO but harder as a Captain.
02-16-2020, 05:58 PM
#5345
Line Holder
Joined APC: Feb 2020
Posts: 27
The instructors here care about you all the way though. If you put in the effort, they will bend over backwards to help you out. The company does give extra sims. I know we give extra sims, but I know what the limit of them is. There have been many people who have had issues other places and have become quite successful here.
IAD is a pretty small base with less flying than EWR. It can be had pretty quick as an FO but harder as a Captain.
IAD is a pretty small base with less flying than EWR. It can be had pretty quick as an FO but harder as a Captain.
02-16-2020, 08:18 PM
#5346
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2017
Posts: 690
Yes, I can attest to the instructors here. They really want you to succeed and will bend over backwards if you are struggling as long as you put in effort with good attitude etc. I’ve known guys/gals who’ve been given plenty of extra sims.
02-17-2020, 04:45 AM
#5347
Line Holder
Joined APC: Feb 2020
Posts: 27
Thank you for the reply, I appreciate your response!
02-17-2020, 07:16 AM
#5348
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2017
Posts: 344
I’m not sure if this is still the case but I had 13 sims scheduled and they made us use them despite being ready to go by sim 8 or whatever. But like UpWeGo said I came here with a checkride failure (full story in my post history) and was paired with a DEC so I got to stay in the right seat. I highly recommend pairing with a DEC if you have the opportunity. Figure out who the DECs are and make nice.
Overall could not have asked for a better training environment. At my last company I developed a loathing for my sim sessions. Here I actually enjoyed training. Yes...it was actually fun, and most of that had to do with my instructors and sim partner.
As C5 is an up-and-out airline we are continuously losing talent across the company including in the training department and it’s been over a year since initial but I think coming here from pretty much any other regional it’s fair to say if you apply yourself there’s nothing our instructors won’t do for you.
Once you get to the checkride the APDs are firm but fair as they must be. Our families fly on these airplanes so if you really can’t fly don’t expect a pass.
Overall could not have asked for a better training environment. At my last company I developed a loathing for my sim sessions. Here I actually enjoyed training. Yes...it was actually fun, and most of that had to do with my instructors and sim partner.
As C5 is an up-and-out airline we are continuously losing talent across the company including in the training department and it’s been over a year since initial but I think coming here from pretty much any other regional it’s fair to say if you apply yourself there’s nothing our instructors won’t do for you.
Once you get to the checkride the APDs are firm but fair as they must be. Our families fly on these airplanes so if you really can’t fly don’t expect a pass.
02-17-2020, 07:47 AM
#5349
Line Holder
Joined APC: Feb 2020
Posts: 27
I’m not sure if this is still the case but I had 13 sims scheduled and they made us use them despite being ready to go by sim 8 or whatever. But like UpWeGo said I came here with a checkride failure (full story in my post history) and was paired with a DEC so I got to stay in the right seat. I highly recommend pairing with a DEC if you have the opportunity. Figure out who the DECs are and make nice.
Overall could not have asked for a better training environment. At my last company I developed a loathing for my sim sessions. Here I actually enjoyed training. Yes...it was actually fun, and most of that had to do with my instructors and sim partner.
As C5 is an up-and-out airline we are continuously losing talent across the company including in the training department and it’s been over a year since initial but I think coming here from pretty much any other regional it’s fair to say if you apply yourself there’s nothing our instructors won’t do for you.
Once you get to the checkride the APDs are firm but fair as they must be. Our families fly on these airplanes so if you really can’t fly don’t expect a pass.
Overall could not have asked for a better training environment. At my last company I developed a loathing for my sim sessions. Here I actually enjoyed training. Yes...it was actually fun, and most of that had to do with my instructors and sim partner.
As C5 is an up-and-out airline we are continuously losing talent across the company including in the training department and it’s been over a year since initial but I think coming here from pretty much any other regional it’s fair to say if you apply yourself there’s nothing our instructors won’t do for you.
Once you get to the checkride the APDs are firm but fair as they must be. Our families fly on these airplanes so if you really can’t fly don’t expect a pass.
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