CitationJason

I believe that since everybody is different, there are some low time guys that could probably easily transition right into the CRJ, and airline training programs are, pretty good, but the problem I see with these programs is it opens the floodgates too wide, and lets in the low time guys who can, but also lets in the low time guys who can't. They are out there. When I was an instructor I had a very young kid from Mexico come here to train, and by the time he had his Commercial, he could fly circles around me. (He did have a better instructor than I had !) He could have flown anything he wanted, but he is an exception, not a norm. I just remember the first time I flew the Citation, which is a very simple jet, that things just happened so fast! I am already apprehensive about my upcoming CRJ class. I just feel like being patient and building experience is the way to go! For me, Instructing was the best thing that happened to me. At 350 hours, I would have never survived an airline training regimen. Just my 2% of a dollar.

CJ

CitationJason

ATPWannabe, that is very well put, and an excellent point!

LeoSV

I agree. they should not be lowering the hring minimums just because the airplanes are getting moer advanced. if the autopilot goes down or something crazy happens, an RJ is still a BIG airplane to try to properly fly if you don't have the experience. and you HAVE to plan for something like that happening while in the hiring process. I would like to say that the airlines aren't that stupid, but I have actually seen a couple guys get hired on with about 500TT to ASA and another airline.

atpwannabe

Jase:

Thanks for the kind words.

My plans are to take the CFI route after finishing my initial training at ATP, hopefully later this fall. I plan on enrolling in the fast track program for the Airline Career Pilot Program. In the meantime, I'm planning on getting my PPL at a local FBO here in Naples, FL.

The CFI's at ATP get the RJ course at a reduced rate (90% off) only after fulfilling their CFI obligation if I'm not mistaken.

God knows, I can't see myself in the right seat of an RJ at 350 hours TT.

ctd57

There is no time obligation to instruct at ATP. The RJ program costs $2000. If you came off of the street and took it, it costs $6000. Personally, I am trying to avoid that program. And talking about hiring low time guys. Okay, so what is the difference between 500hrs and 1000hrs. Not much, you get to certain learning plateau as an instructor, then after that, it is just laps around the pattern, maneuvers, or straight and level cross country. Flying is not hard, and if someone can grasp flying a jet at 500 or 1000 hours, who cares. I think alot of people are upset because they didn't go somewhere like ATP and get a bunch of multi time and instruct and get even more. I don't totally agree with everything they do. It is not hard to fly a jet, just because it moves faster, doesn't mean squat. I was an NFO, and I challenge those guys out there with there 1000s of hours of autopilot jet time and see if they could handle a low level flight at 500' AGL going 300 kts. I guarantee you that you couldn't do that, unless of course they are prior military. What I don't agree with is hiring 18 year olds to fly jets. They are not mature enough and I don't think they could handle the stress if something did happen, they are just kids.

atpwannabe

OK!!! A 66% discount.

BURflyer

Do they even qualify to pay taxes at that salary? I understand why some think that there is not much difference between a 500 and a 1000 hour guy as far as operation, but there is a huge difference when it comes to experience.

BURflyer

What about 18 year old F/As? I hear there are quite a few at the regionals.

LAfrequentflyer

cdt57,

thanks for your posts about ATPs. Please keep us updated on your progress / progression from ATP - CFI@ ATP - 1st regional / 135 job. I'm interested because as a current AD AF support officer looking to transition into aviation (flying for an airline) I want to know how ATP is...

Thanks,
LAFF

BoilerUP

Were you hired at AWAC?