DrPepperE4

Being a recent Gulfstream grad, I would have to say it was a great experience for me, and everyone that I knew in the program. I went into the program with a multi-commercial license (no single add-on) with 170 hours total time. I finished the program with 422 hours. Now, compared to regional time requirements, this a low amount of time. But, because of the 121 experience I gained, I was marketable, and now, I will be starting with Pinnacle in about a month. I didn't take anything away from anyone. Like many others, I saw an opportunity and took it. A lot of people are bitter about pay-for-hire programs, but regardless, it's well worth the experience, and in my opinion, a lot better an opportunity than instructing. Am I say that I'm better than flight instructors out there with more time? Not at all... Probably far from the truth. But, I've successfully completed a Part 121 training regiment and then competed for FO positions with CFIs that had double, even triple the time I had, and I was offered the position and they weren't. Do whatever will get you the job, but in the end, it's all about experience and what will get you what you want faster. Those people that don't like these programs...? that's their opinion. But when it comes down to two people for one position... one has Part 121, multi-engine turbine, CRM experience, and the other has Part 91 single-engine piston time babysitting a private pilot, who do you think the airlines are going to want?

rickair7777

Brother you've had too many cups of Kool Aid...The lowest paid, crappiest commuters & regionals are all over the low-time PFT folks because they're happy to take any job that pays less than industry standard. Period. They're not after you because you have fabulous transport category skills and are unpolluted by CFI or freight duty. The best regionals rarely or never hire people with much less than ATP mins. (Horizon, Skywest, Air Whiskey, etc). Especially if they fly in the Rockies.

With that being said, there's nothing inherently wrong with most PFT kids that 1000 hours on line won't fix. However, if you have a personality that's totally unsuitable for CFI work, then you probably shouldn't be an airline captain either.

contrails

Don't ever complain about not having a job because you effectively eliminated one.

Don't ever complain about not being paid enough because you've reinforced, to the management of airline companies, that there are individuals out there who don't have a problem working for a negative salary.

What you did is basically something I can't even understand -- working for an airline, getting paid (pretend you did), and then giving it all back upon leaving.

DrPepperE4

To you guys that responded to my post... "Personality that's totally unsuitable for CFI work?" Who are you guys to judge me? I guess you guys are reading way too much into what I wrote. No need for the further negativity. Someone asked about Gulfstream... I gave my opinion. I think it was a great program. It was a great learning experience that anyone could take advantage of. It helped me and it has helped my friends... Not only to get into companies like Pinnacle but to get into the "best" regionals, like Horizon and Skywest as you guys said. I didn't take a job away from anyone. I didn't eliminate a job. I got MYSELF a job!! I saw an open door, and I walked through. I weighed my options... $15,000 grand for Commercial Single, CFI, CFII and if I were smart, MEI... and then, work for $10 an hour for a year or two... Or $30,000 for the 121 time. I chose and I was successful and now I will have a job. And, you're damn right I'll take it, regardless if it gets me a job less than industry standards. We all have to start somewhere. Anyone else in my shoes would do the same.

But, to the original person that asked about Gulfstream... It was a fantastic time. You learn a lot, you become a great pilot, flying into some of the largest and smallest airports in the world. You'll be held to high standards, but in the end, Gulfstream's success rate will speak for itself. Good luck nick@FL350! Let me know if you have any questions about the program!

Rama

Wow $30,000 400 hours and a great pilot. Funny how some people don't realize how much they don't know.
Maybe you should just pay everyone that hires you 30k a year, hell if all pilots did that, the airlines would make money and hire millions of pilots.

de727ups

"I didn't take anything away from anyone"

"I didn't take a job away from anyone. I didn't eliminate a job"

Actually, I think you did. Gulfstream is the only airline that has a program where you pay to sit in the right seat at a regional airline as opposed to that being an entry level job.

Let's say your at PCL for a year and get 1000 hours in the right seat of an RJ. If Northwest had a deal where you could pay to sit in a 757 for 500 hours if you came up with 50K for ground school and IOE, would you do it? How would that not be taking a job away from a NWA pilot?

Slice

Better hope I'm not on your hiring board when you get enough hours to interview at a major! Maybe you won't think it was such a "great program" anymore.

calcapt

I saw an open door, and I walked through.

And, you're damn right I'll take it, regardless......




Just some advice from a guy who has been around awhile. I don't think anyone is trying to rain on your parade but from what I am reading on this thread it seems you are advocating the easy way is the right way. At my airline, there were some who saw an open door in 1983 thru 1985 and walked through - they're known as scabs. There is a higher standard that should be maintained in this profession and it is sad when some sell themselves and their peers short. We should all advocate high standards and as you progress through your career don't be too anxious to walk through any open door. Perhaps if we had less going through those doors our collective career expectations would be going up rather than heading south. My dad used to tell me "Just because you can doesn't mean you should."

Good luck on your career!

dcpilot

Gulfstream is the only place I know of that allows you to pay for a paying position. You are taking someone else's job!!!!! If people continue this ritual there will be no jobs to pay to get, we will all be paying to fly. Not to metion the experience you get will be sub par to teaching or flying 135 because the captains know you are there to build time only and there is no point in teaching anything other than basics. I hope anyone who goes to Gulfstream gets their tires slashed and never gets a job at a reputable airline.

freezingflyboy

Like how to raise and lower the gear on a B1900, talk on the radio and how to look for traffic in the clear blue south Florida skies as you dodge thunderstorms and how to read those pesky taxiway signs at those "big" airports....