cschmidt88

If you want to learn how to be a good pilot, go fly an airplane. Those reginal standards courses put out worthless gear monkeys. I personally sent 3 of these said gear monkeys back to training and 2 of the 3 got fired because they weren't able to work the radios or fly a real airplane. Any 14 year old can play a video game with unlimited do-overs (the sim)... It takes a real pilot with real experience to fly a real airplane.
These sunglasses inside, back-pack wearing, spikey haired kids fail because of one word... or a lack there of. "Professonalism" Remember... just because you get paid to do something, that doesn't make you a professonal. Did your CRJ teacher ever discuss how your decisions affect the lives of every person in that airplane? How about every person on the ground? How about how your attitude reflects upon you, your peers, and your profession?
No matter where you decide to go to work, know your roll... know your place. "Pilot Factory" pilots already have a reputation... You can be a good pilot, you can be a professional. Remember that attitude is everything and to learn every day otherwise it is a wasted day.

LeoSV

Can you give us your view on ATP since you are a checkairman? We hear positives and negatives from pilots on here all the time, but getting your opinion on them would be cool. I am at an FBO and trying to pay as I go, and I will be instructing at the FBO when I'm done, but the allure of ATP is undeniable.

cessna126

Some of the guys that took the "airline course" in my class had the attitude of "Well thats not how they taught it at -----." Thats what got them in trouble. Realize that in the sim you learn by the book. In the real world a captain will say "I do everything by the book." Then you realize that almost no one does. Line flying is where you learn.

Mr Spooner

Like the whole sterile cockpit thing...like that happens on the line. That is unless there is a Fed on board with you.

Freightpuppy

That's funny.

Freightpuppy

For pete's sake, just stick with the plan and you can probably get on with any regional you want. Don't waste your money on this b.s.

Freightpuppy

I don't think you really mean how I am reading this but if this statement is true, it's very scary.

flynavyj

i know my lil ole' airline does like the ATP guys, as the training department believes they're low risk, hires. On the contrary, check airmen i've flown with don't particularly like them, nor most other 200 hr wonders. My 121 training and checkride were more difficult than any other ride i had done previously, and made my CFI/II rides look like a joke. I know it's all fun and games when you spend a few grand, sit around w/ an instructor (who may or may not have even flown the real airplane) and talk about procedures, call outs, profiles, systems, and then you get the chance to "practice" it in your FTD. but when you've been cramming daily for the previous month, attempting to learn anything and everything about this airplane so you can pass an oral exam at a time predetermined by the company, and not picked by you...and then you find yourself doing 8 simulator sessions, between 10pm-2am, seeing each thing about one maybe two times with the exception of approaches, it won't be the nice walk in the park that the little RJ familiarization course was...This is the rodeo buddy, and that's not an electric bull.

cschmidt88

Freightpuppy has it right... in the current environment you are just wasting money and time by going to those courses. If you look at the overall enrollment in the "traditional" aviation universitys you will see a drastic decline in enrollment and graduation. If you look at CNN & MSNBC's projections as to the required amount of airline pilots needed over the next 5-10 years and compare the two... you will see that ATP, Gulfstream, Jet U., and all the other "get there quick" courses are just there to take your money. What I do recommend is a 4 year degree; period. I dread the day that the majors waive that requirement. Pinnacle will hire you if you have a pulse and a multi-commercial.... along with about 20 other regionals. If you want to get there quick, start applying the day you have your AMEL commercial. As for my personal opinion about the most quality pilots: CFI's with over 600 dual given, Militiary, and night freight guys know how to fly and have a head on their shoulders. (I have to put out the statement that there are screw ups from every background) but I cringe when I see a Jet-U guy comming down the jet bridge... ATP is another place, just like Comair academy that will get you the ratings and hours... but view my previous post... where are you going to get your decision making skills? Do you have 1000 hours or 1 hour a thousand times? Ultimately it comes down to you and your attitude. Are you a professional trying to get a job, or are you a bottom feeder slacker trying to play airline pilot? No matter your background; only you will determine your own fate.

LeoSV

I'm not going to change my plan, I was just saying that if you're in a hurry to fly spam cans then ATP is is very appealing. I can't afford it and I like the school I'm at. plus I want to instruct at my school for a little while because it's 5 minutes from my house. I just wanted his opinion on them.