Mesaba new hires
01-04-2008, 11:58 AM
#1661
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2007
Position: CRJ900/FO
Posts: 159
The ground instructors were pretty good. We had several during initial training. Everyone wants to see you succeed and if you're having difficulty...ASK FOR HELP! You'll hear this suggestion over and over (and it's a good one)...form your study groups early and study often. If you're new to 121 ops, there won't be much time for you to do anything but study.
The first week (Indoc) is fairly heavy on 3585, duty times, and Mesaba policy/regs. Your 2nd and 3rd weeks will depend on which aircraft you're assigned to. The SAAB folks got 2 days less of General Subjects than the -200 folks. General Subjects is easier because you now know what to expect on tests, but it's more of it. If there are any Captains upgrading, they'll usually join your respective group during this time. General Subjects involves more 3585, duty times, more Regs and the introduction to TLRs. Eventually, you get Systems about 2 1/2 weeks into your ground instruction. The SAAB folks ended that with a written test...whereas the -200 folks took CBT training with no written at all. The tests were given at the completion of each online training module on a "take it until you passed" basis. Systems in the -200 (for me) was easy, but you've got to get your nose in the manuals as Mesaba provides them. Don't skip around...you'll cover nearly every nook/cranny in most of the manuals they provide you. Most of the instructors are good about making sure you know what will be tested (foot stomps), but there are always some surprises along the way. Mesaba instructors provide you with a red binder which contains all the PowerPoint slides they cover in class. You should use those as a reference and note taking...not as a be-all/end-all guide to what will be on the tests. There were many people that downloaded the question banks off MyMesaba.com...don't trust that (alone)...the questions are old. Instead, make sure you jot down any FOM/POM references mentioned in class and read over them later that night. Doing that will help you nail some of the trickier test questions that are not covered in class. Not everything is covered in class.
SIM training is another ball of wax. In the -200, my group worked their tails off prior to coming. We knew our flows and callouts very well prior to actually getting into the FTD and that helped IMMENSELY. You DO NOT want to get to SIM and be lost on flow/callouts or you will likely struggle.
For any -200 guys out there, feel free to PM me for a really awesome ORAL guide. One of my FO colleagues copied the entire thing from the end of the Bombardier CBT Systems training and it was a HUGE help when it came to preparing for the ORAL.
Good luck.
The first week (Indoc) is fairly heavy on 3585, duty times, and Mesaba policy/regs. Your 2nd and 3rd weeks will depend on which aircraft you're assigned to. The SAAB folks got 2 days less of General Subjects than the -200 folks. General Subjects is easier because you now know what to expect on tests, but it's more of it. If there are any Captains upgrading, they'll usually join your respective group during this time. General Subjects involves more 3585, duty times, more Regs and the introduction to TLRs. Eventually, you get Systems about 2 1/2 weeks into your ground instruction. The SAAB folks ended that with a written test...whereas the -200 folks took CBT training with no written at all. The tests were given at the completion of each online training module on a "take it until you passed" basis. Systems in the -200 (for me) was easy, but you've got to get your nose in the manuals as Mesaba provides them. Don't skip around...you'll cover nearly every nook/cranny in most of the manuals they provide you. Most of the instructors are good about making sure you know what will be tested (foot stomps), but there are always some surprises along the way. Mesaba instructors provide you with a red binder which contains all the PowerPoint slides they cover in class. You should use those as a reference and note taking...not as a be-all/end-all guide to what will be on the tests. There were many people that downloaded the question banks off MyMesaba.com...don't trust that (alone)...the questions are old. Instead, make sure you jot down any FOM/POM references mentioned in class and read over them later that night. Doing that will help you nail some of the trickier test questions that are not covered in class. Not everything is covered in class.
SIM training is another ball of wax. In the -200, my group worked their tails off prior to coming. We knew our flows and callouts very well prior to actually getting into the FTD and that helped IMMENSELY. You DO NOT want to get to SIM and be lost on flow/callouts or you will likely struggle.
For any -200 guys out there, feel free to PM me for a really awesome ORAL guide. One of my FO colleagues copied the entire thing from the end of the Bombardier CBT Systems training and it was a HUGE help when it came to preparing for the ORAL.
Good luck.
01-04-2008, 11:59 AM
#1662
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2007
Posts: 114
Training will be tough, but remember the instructors are here to help you pass. Come to class everyday prepared and you will be fine. Mesaba has some of the best instructors around, don't be afraid to ask for help if you need it. Welcome aboard!
01-04-2008, 12:03 PM
#1663
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2007
Posts: 148
i haven't read this entire thread....so this may be a repeat question:
is Mesaba hiring off the street CAs?
is Mesaba hiring off the street CAs?
01-04-2008, 12:12 PM
#1664
Gear handle manipulator
Joined APC: Jun 2007
Position: B-737 First officer
Posts: 246
Thanks a lot......I appreciate it....I certainly wont hesitate to ask.......
01-04-2008, 12:44 PM
#1665
Line Holder
Joined APC: Dec 2007
Position: SF-340 FO
Posts: 47
The ground instructors were pretty good. We had several during initial training. Everyone wants to see you succeed and if you're having difficulty...ASK FOR HELP! You'll hear this suggestion over and over (and it's a good one)...form your study groups early and study often. If you're new to 121 ops, there won't be much time for you to do anything but study.
The first week (Indoc) is fairly heavy on 3585, duty times, and Mesaba policy/regs. Your 2nd and 3rd weeks will depend on which aircraft you're assigned to. The SAAB folks got 2 days less of General Subjects than the -200 folks. General Subjects is easier because you now know what to expect on tests, but it's more of it. If there are any Captains upgrading, they'll usually join your respective group during this time. General Subjects involves more 3585, duty times, more Regs and the introduction to TLRs. Eventually, you get Systems about 2 1/2 weeks into your ground instruction. The SAAB folks ended that with a written test...whereas the -200 folks took CBT training with no written at all. The tests were given at the completion of each online training module on a "take it until you passed" basis. Systems in the -200 (for me) was easy, but you've got to get your nose in the manuals as Mesaba provides them. Don't skip around...you'll cover nearly every nook/cranny in most of the manuals they provide you. Most of the instructors are good about making sure you know what will be tested (foot stomps), but there are always some surprises along the way. Mesaba instructors provide you with a red binder which contains all the PowerPoint slides they cover in class. You should use those as a reference and note taking...not as a be-all/end-all guide to what will be on the tests. There were many people that downloaded the question banks off MyMesaba.com...don't trust that (alone)...the questions are old. Instead, make sure you jot down any FOM/POM references mentioned in class and read over them later that night. Doing that will help you nail some of the trickier test questions that are not covered in class. Not everything is covered in class.
SIM training is another ball of wax. In the -200, my group worked their tails off prior to coming. We knew our flows and callouts very well prior to actually getting into the FTD and that helped IMMENSELY. You DO NOT want to get to SIM and be lost on flow/callouts or you will likely struggle.
For any -200 guys out there, feel free to PM me for a really awesome ORAL guide. One of my FO colleagues copied the entire thing from the end of the Bombardier CBT Systems training and it was a HUGE help when it came to preparing for the ORAL.
Good luck.
The first week (Indoc) is fairly heavy on 3585, duty times, and Mesaba policy/regs. Your 2nd and 3rd weeks will depend on which aircraft you're assigned to. The SAAB folks got 2 days less of General Subjects than the -200 folks. General Subjects is easier because you now know what to expect on tests, but it's more of it. If there are any Captains upgrading, they'll usually join your respective group during this time. General Subjects involves more 3585, duty times, more Regs and the introduction to TLRs. Eventually, you get Systems about 2 1/2 weeks into your ground instruction. The SAAB folks ended that with a written test...whereas the -200 folks took CBT training with no written at all. The tests were given at the completion of each online training module on a "take it until you passed" basis. Systems in the -200 (for me) was easy, but you've got to get your nose in the manuals as Mesaba provides them. Don't skip around...you'll cover nearly every nook/cranny in most of the manuals they provide you. Most of the instructors are good about making sure you know what will be tested (foot stomps), but there are always some surprises along the way. Mesaba instructors provide you with a red binder which contains all the PowerPoint slides they cover in class. You should use those as a reference and note taking...not as a be-all/end-all guide to what will be on the tests. There were many people that downloaded the question banks off MyMesaba.com...don't trust that (alone)...the questions are old. Instead, make sure you jot down any FOM/POM references mentioned in class and read over them later that night. Doing that will help you nail some of the trickier test questions that are not covered in class. Not everything is covered in class.
SIM training is another ball of wax. In the -200, my group worked their tails off prior to coming. We knew our flows and callouts very well prior to actually getting into the FTD and that helped IMMENSELY. You DO NOT want to get to SIM and be lost on flow/callouts or you will likely struggle.
For any -200 guys out there, feel free to PM me for a really awesome ORAL guide. One of my FO colleagues copied the entire thing from the end of the Bombardier CBT Systems training and it was a HUGE help when it came to preparing for the ORAL.
Good luck.
hey great info man!!!......is there a Saab version of this training info rundown? Sabb oral guide etc... that would be great.....
01-04-2008, 12:45 PM
#1666
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2005
Position: Lots and Lots of Days Off
Posts: 586
01-04-2008, 01:48 PM
#1667
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2007
Position: CRJ900/FO
Posts: 159
Specifically, I can't speak for the SAAB. There are question banks for each airplane (I'm about 98% sure) on MyMesaba.com. However, the questions are old (from Sept 2006) and the answers are not provided. A few guys in my group felt these were really helpful regardless as to whether the instructors told us we were wasting our time. The question banks are stored under "My Department", "Flight Ops", and under the header "Pilot Training" on the page that comes up. I printed CRJ test question bank (a 300-some-page document) for like $15 at OfficeMax and honestly, I didn't find it all that useful. I did (however) find the CRJ-Limitations worksheet (found in the same section) very helpful. Albeit...I discovered that some of the limitations were incorrect. As I said, they are old documents and you would be wise to use them only for reference...verify the numbers before you commit them to memory.
Honestly, there was one question that was in that bank of questions that was NOT covered in class and was on the Indoc (1st week) test. For the life of me, I can't remember it. The question banks are worth a glance over at the very least because it gets you thinking. New hires are usually given access to MyMesaba.com within 7 days of your start date but if you know someone who is willing to download them for you and send them to you...great. One question that is definitely on the Indoc test is "Class C visual/cloud clearences"....don't mess that one up. The easiest way to screw up is to not read all of the answers before making a selection.
The -200 ORAL / Systems guide that I used came from the actual Bombardier instructors and nearly everything in it was helpful in getting ready for the ORAL. I can't tell you how over prepared we were for our ORAL because of it. My FO colleague worked very hard at putting that together and I just edited it for content/spelling. When the instructor found out that we had put the guide together, he recommended that we charge people for it. LOL
I don't know how much longer they'll be outsourcing SIM/ORAL/checkrides to CAE in Denver/Montreal because the -200 SIM in Minny has been certified (as far as I know). Once they get the crews that are behind through, they should probably begin opening up that SIM in Minny to the people behind us. I doubt the format of the ORAL will be any different, but its something to think about. We heard all sorts of horror stories on how difficult some of the ORALS were with certain examiners. But, I was amazed at how much stuff was literally glossed over. Don't get me wrong...we over-prepared. We had a few groups in front of us who clued us in on what to expect too.
The ORAL (and this is probably true in the SAAB too) is all about System Knowledge integration. They go through every button on the overhead panel. You have to know what lights/messages come on at what times and so forth. My advice is to know the Electrics, Hydraulics, Fuel systems and study the walk-around procedures cold. I downloaded the actual CAE walk-around PowerPoint (videos included) that they actually use to quiz you on during the -200 ORAL. Of course, that is available once you get to that point in your training. If you're really ambitious, you'll do whatever it takes to download a FMS simulator like the one they have you practice on in class. Knowing the FMS like the back of your hand by the time you get to SIM will put you WAY ahead of everyone else and it will make you very popular with the not-so-technically-inclined captains. It worked for us.
01-04-2008, 02:40 PM
#1668
Line Holder
Joined APC: Dec 2007
Position: SF-340 FO
Posts: 47
ok sound good...thanks again EVH347 for the the info!!!!!!
01-04-2008, 04:37 PM
#1669
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2007
Position: CRJ -200
Posts: 131
p.s. on the saab I don't know about the crjs you are required to put them in the cargo bin and that means they are subject to the ramps mood that day. There not targeting yours they treat all bags equally. The overheads inside are not that big and our w&b program doesn't allow it.
Last edited by submachXJ; 01-04-2008 at 04:39 PM. Reason: add info
01-04-2008, 05:02 PM
#1670
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2007
Posts: 593
Got my FOM via FedEx this afternoon for the Jan 14 class...it came with the worksheet review...I plan on reading the entire FTM before class starts a week from monday, but I'm just wondering if that first test at the end of the week is entirely covered in the simple review they send with the FOM...
I did find some stuff in the FOM that still mentions the AVRO....kinda funny
I did find some stuff in the FOM that still mentions the AVRO....kinda funny
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