Getting ready for Airline Training/Interviews
01-26-2017, 05:46 AM
#41
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2016
Posts: 137
You guys are both right. The fact is that 121 airline flying is one kind of flying, but it isn't the only kind of flying. It certainly demands proficiency and knowledge flying in the IFR system, flying SD's, STAR's, approaches, and knowing all the rules associated with that. But that isn't all flying. I have nearly 4000 hours flying overseas into some of the most challenging environments: flying into short, unimproved airstrips, having to evaluate weather and fly IMC in uncontrolled airspace, doing W&B, load the plane, deal with pax and cargo, and flying the plane at the edge of the envelope. My stick and rudder skills and ability to fly the plane by the seat of my pants are very proficient; I am comfortable flying an approach at 1.1Vso, slow flight, weather, judgment, etc. But when it comes to flying in the IFR system, holding, approaches, etc. I'm not nearly as proficient and I'm trying to brush up on that before I enter the 121 world. That doesn't mean I'm not a good commercial pilot. And the reverse is true: most 121 pilots would struggle in the environment I operated in, without the IFR system. We sometimes get 121 guys come in, and they're pretty rusty, flying with their feet off the rudder pedals and uncoordinated, because it's been a while for them.
I agree that being a CFI is a great foundation for a commercial pilot. It's not the only one, but it's probably the most common way to lay a good foundation for an aspiring pilot.
I agree that being a CFI is a great foundation for a commercial pilot. It's not the only one, but it's probably the most common way to lay a good foundation for an aspiring pilot.
01-26-2017, 05:50 AM
#42
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2016
Position: Line holder, barely
Posts: 256
You guys are both right. The fact is that 121 airline flying is one kind of flying, but it isn't the only kind of flying. It certainly demands proficiency and knowledge flying in the IFR system, flying SD's, STAR's, approaches, and knowing all the rules associated with that. But that isn't all flying. I have nearly 4000 hours flying overseas into some of the most challenging environments: flying into short, unimproved airstrips, having to evaluate weather and fly IMC in uncontrolled airspace, doing W&B, load the plane, deal with pax and cargo, and flying the plane at the edge of the envelope. My stick and rudder skills and ability to fly the plane by the seat of my pants are very proficient; I am comfortable flying an approach at 1.1Vso, slow flight, weather, judgment, etc. But when it comes to flying in the IFR system, holding, approaches, etc. I'm not nearly as proficient and I'm trying to brush up on that before I enter the 121 world. That doesn't mean I'm not a good commercial pilot. And the reverse is true: most 121 pilots would struggle in the environment I operated in, without the IFR system. We sometimes get 121 guys come in, and they're pretty rusty, flying with their feet off the rudder pedals and uncoordinated, because it's been a while for them.
I agree that being a CFI is a great foundation for a commercial pilot. It's not the only one, but it's probably the most common way to lay a good foundation for an aspiring pilot.
I agree that being a CFI is a great foundation for a commercial pilot. It's not the only one, but it's probably the most common way to lay a good foundation for an aspiring pilot.
Now, for those who feel they are entitled to the post by virtue of the # of pages in the logbook - YMMV
01-26-2017, 06:31 AM
#43
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2007
Position: I pilot
Posts: 2,049
You guys are both right. The fact is that 121 airline flying is one kind of flying, but it isn't the only kind of flying. It certainly demands proficiency and knowledge flying in the IFR system, flying SD's, STAR's, approaches, and knowing all the rules associated with that. But that isn't all flying. I have nearly 4000 hours flying overseas into some of the most challenging environments: flying into short, unimproved airstrips, having to evaluate weather and fly IMC in uncontrolled airspace, doing W&B, load the plane, deal with pax and cargo, and flying the plane at the edge of the envelope. My stick and rudder skills and ability to fly the plane by the seat of my pants are very proficient; I am comfortable flying an approach at 1.1Vso, slow flight, weather, judgment, etc. But when it comes to flying in the IFR system, holding, approaches, etc. I'm not nearly as proficient and I'm trying to brush up on that before I enter the 121 world. That doesn't mean I'm not a good commercial pilot. And the reverse is true: most 121 pilots would struggle in the environment I operated in, without the IFR system. We sometimes get 121 guys come in, and they're pretty rusty, flying with their feet off the rudder pedals and uncoordinated, because it's been a while for them.
I agree that being a CFI is a great foundation for a commercial pilot. It's not the only one, but it's probably the most common way to lay a good foundation for an aspiring pilot.
I agree that being a CFI is a great foundation for a commercial pilot. It's not the only one, but it's probably the most common way to lay a good foundation for an aspiring pilot.
You are absolutely correct and guys like you bring very valuable skills to a 121 carrier. Brushing up on instrument skills is the easy part, but what makes the difference is work ethic. Guys like you typically bring a very good work ethic.
A guy at my company didn't even make it past the first week of ground school. His background: bought a Cessna and flew it around till 1500 hours. He took the easy way out. A friend of mine asked me about buying a Cessna to build up to 1500 to get a job and I flat out told him that it was the worst idea ever, especially for him since he needs to develop a lot of skills and confidence. He was looking for the easy way out.
A good work ethic will highly increase your success at this job, and other jobs.
01-27-2017, 05:35 AM
#44
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2016
Posts: 137
You are absolutely correct and guys like you bring very valuable skills to a 121 carrier. Brushing up on instrument skills is the easy part, but what makes the difference is work ethic. Guys like you typically bring a very good work ethic.
A guy at my company didn't even make it past the first week of ground school. His background: bought a Cessna and flew it around till 1500 hours. He took the easy way out. A friend of mine asked me about buying a Cessna to build up to 1500 to get a job and I flat out told him that it was the worst idea ever, especially for him since he needs to develop a lot of skills and confidence. He was looking for the easy way out.
A good work ethic will highly increase your success at this job, and other jobs.
A guy at my company didn't even make it past the first week of ground school. His background: bought a Cessna and flew it around till 1500 hours. He took the easy way out. A friend of mine asked me about buying a Cessna to build up to 1500 to get a job and I flat out told him that it was the worst idea ever, especially for him since he needs to develop a lot of skills and confidence. He was looking for the easy way out.
A good work ethic will highly increase your success at this job, and other jobs.
01-27-2017, 05:43 AM
#45
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2016
Position: P-28
Posts: 151
Here is a link to the article PSA says to review in their interview invite email to get an idea of what they are looking for with respect to log books. It is not unique to PSA and should help folks get ready for any airline interview.
Logbooks Matter More Than You Think - Here's What You Need To Know | Boldmethod
Logbooks Matter More Than You Think - Here's What You Need To Know | Boldmethod
01-27-2017, 08:28 AM
#46
Line Holder
Joined APC: Dec 2016
Posts: 34
You guys are both right. The fact is that 121 airline flying is one kind of flying, but it isn't the only kind of flying. It certainly demands proficiency and knowledge flying in the IFR system, flying SD's, STAR's, approaches, and knowing all the rules associated with that. But that isn't all flying. I have nearly 4000 hours flying overseas into some of the most challenging environments: flying into short, unimproved airstrips, having to evaluate weather and fly IMC in uncontrolled airspace, doing W&B, load the plane, deal with pax and cargo, and flying the plane at the edge of the envelope. My stick and rudder skills and ability to fly the plane by the seat of my pants are very proficient; I am comfortable flying an approach at 1.1Vso, slow flight, weather, judgment, etc. But when it comes to flying in the IFR system, holding, approaches, etc. I'm not nearly as proficient and I'm trying to brush up on that before I enter the 121 world.
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