KhalReblic23

Lurker here.

I can't speak for the regionals, but at my current airline (a 121 heavy jet charter) we've got about a 40% washout rate right now. I'm not sure what the problem is exactly as our training program is pretty good and the planes are honestly pretty "easy" to handle for anyone with some jet experience.

My speculation and that of some instructors I've talked it over with is just the quality of the candidates is decreasing. It's safe to say we should expect more of that everywhere as the pool of pilots looking for jobs keeps getting less experienced and the airlines have to reach deeper for bodies to fill the positions.

I wouldn't let these sorts of things worry anyone coming to the airlines though. If you're a CFI or whatever and competent and study you'll be just fine learning to fly an RJ. Just be sure you are confident and comfortable in whatever you fly now and you'll know you're ready to move to the next level. Even the cruddiest 121 training program is designed to help you pass and no airline would hire you so they can waste the cash to wash you out.

Good luck!

KC135

This is spot on. Not much to worry about if you put it the effort.

minimwage4

The ones that had problems are the ones you knew would have problems from day one. Like they say, it's all about attitude. Stay out of trouble and study. Also, not all, but older guys and former military guys seem to have trouble mostly because they have the sense of entitlement. If you come with that, or act like a A hole, they will make it hard on you. Also it's true that they will look the other way now to help you get through if you show willingness to learn and be safe. If you know you're not thr best pilot, this is probably one of the best times in history for you to make it through training at an airline

prex8390

I've heard from several captains this. Military guys seem to have the most trouble. It's their attitude and just how they learned and the tools they had flying is so different from us. Going from a high ranking officer to a first year first officer grunt just doesn't sit well with a lot of people and the crm concept is a lot different, many guys are used to flying and doing everything alone.

be76flyer

I think I know where you work, and that 40% is not a real wash out number. That number is more a function of your management team not giving guys a realistic break down of what garound school and sim will be like. They need to tell guys in the welcome packet that they will be in ground school 6 days a week and will not be able to jumpseat home till after their check ride.

ThreeStripe

As a sidebar, can we name this company so others can be forewarned?

be76flyer

I think he works for Omni, they are the only company that likes to brag about their wash out rate. Most people are looking at 60-90 days away before they can get back home.

tennisguru

I don't know for sure, but I think the OP isn't yet in a position experience-wise to go to a place like that. I would think he's looking at his first 121 job.

KhalReblic23

I agree, that's why I wrote more than one sentence that nobody read past apparently...lol My points to OP is, in general 121 carriers want you to pass training, they will give you plenty of opportunity and are making an investment in you from day one you show up in class, so OP shouldn't worry and should get on the regional of his choice (a rare luxury in this career).

I'd call it more *****ing than bragging. There is nothing to brag about here...

And yes, Omni, as a quick glance at my post history will reveal. It's a small airline and I know most of the guys doing the interviewing personally. They don't hide anything about what it will be like. It's no secret you're gone long, and that the training cycle is packed tight, but there is a lot more to this story than having a long work week in training.

We have our own forums now as well which are stickied in the charter section here on APC so hopefully people will come to get some gouge from actual Omni pilots before they accept any job offer. We literally have guys leaving to the regionals right now who have been here 3-5 years.

Additionally, the only reason it would run more than 6-8 weeks like anywhere else is because sim availability changes a lot now last minute (we lease time from DL and UAL) or because a person needs extra training. I've got a few close friends who are sim instructors and I tell ya man....the latter is quite common for whatever reason.

In conclusion, there is no reason to come work here right now when the regionals are offering good bonuses and relatively rapid upgrades. No 18 day straight reserve, No being gone for 18 days and flying only 10 hours in the month. You'll get a ton of frequent flyer miles though which are better than pass travel!

USMCFLYR

I come from a single seat background and this 'crew concept CRM' is about the easiest part of the whole transition. Giving up half of what I used to have to do is not hard. I will admit to still hanging onto the throttle quadrant and the flaps in my mighty KA!

Going from a *high* ranking officer to a line grunt has also been a huge welcomed relief. JUST flying for the most part? GIVE ME MORE! (Edit - I do still have paperwork, but I don't have 10 additional duties outside of flying).