Path to Check Airmen
05-08-2018, 07:12 PM
#11
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2007
Position: CA
Posts: 1,207
Thanks for all the replies. And thanks for not taking a huge negitive turn like some of these threads do. I’ve always had a passion to teach and mentor. I have years of extremely successful and enjoyable instructing experience as well as training gigs in non flying careers. It has nothing to do with seeking authority. Frankly, if the job paid the exact same and litterally the only authority you had was to do IOE for guys I’d still want to do it. I love seeing student progress and the teaching process adds an interesting challenge to the job. At my airline the process is the opposite of southwest. You’ve got to be pretty aggressive. Thanks again for all of the replies.
Take a job when offered and continue your progression to the left seat. Wherever you land, you'll have the necessary insight to decipher the best path to get there if it is still a primary goal.
If you're at SWA the word on the street is a 1500+ hour sick bank will be a major benefit!
05-08-2018, 07:42 PM
#12
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2007
Position: CA
Posts: 1,207
Thanks for all the replies. And thanks for not taking a huge negitive turn like some of these threads do. I’ve always had a passion to teach and mentor. I have years of extremely successful and enjoyable instructing experience as well as training gigs in non flying careers. It has nothing to do with seeking authority. Frankly, if the job paid the exact same and litterally the only authority you had was to do IOE for guys I’d still want to do it. I love seeing student progress and the teaching process adds an interesting challenge to the job. At my airline the process is the opposite of southwest. You’ve got to be pretty aggressive. Thanks again for all of the replies.
I was a check airman when I interviewed at SWA. After receiving a conditional job offer at SWA, I promptly wrote my resignation letter from the check airman ranks and returned to a regular line pilot position. I was concerned that I had a CJO with no accidents, incidents or violations and my best bet at keeping it that way was to return to regular line flying.
Teaching can sometime feel like a single pilot operation. I know I personally felt like I was hanging on to the tail during my initial operating experience. It is a taxing environment for the teacher and it invariably will open you up as PIC to additional risk to your certificate. Imagine a serious incident where you are PIC and are training a new hire. I'm not trying to say these professional aviators you are giving instruction to aren't fully capable pilots but the experience level at the company and in the specific type can present additional hurdles.
YMMV!
05-10-2018, 02:05 PM
#13
Line Holder
Joined APC: Aug 2007
Posts: 37
I was a check airman at my last company. I didn't want to be one. There was a need and I was asked. Now I'm at SWA. My goal is to someday be in the left seat. I can do plenty of teaching and mentoring, there. If they ask me to be a CKA, maybe I'll consider. I wouldn't ever apply for it. That's just me.
05-10-2018, 06:59 PM
#15
Line Holder
Joined APC: Aug 2007
Posts: 37
There's a difference between telling someone what to do and trying to give helpful advice. And there's a good amount of observation required to be able to differentiate between someone who would benefit from help and someone who doesn't need it or wouldn't benefit. Going with the flow goes a long way in life, regardless of your place in it. 
05-11-2018, 04:01 PM
#19
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2016
Posts: 252
As a newbie to SWA and 121, I really appreciate inputs from captains who’ve been at this game for a while. I think I can sort out the BS from the good nuggets. Even as a probie, I specifically ask for any feedback after the day is done as many captains seem worried about offending my pilot manhood if they have a suggestion for how to get better.
Seeking any way to improve via feedback from anyone should be a hallmark of a professional pilot. If you’re a former 121 captain, maybe it’s all BS to you, but some folks seem pretty thin skinned or thick headed to think they can’t learn anything along the way from someone who’s flown the same damn airplane to the same damn places for the last 20 f-ing years... it may not be strafing Taliban or flying cancelled checks, but that doesn’t mean we can’t learn a thing or two from a crusty old MF-er.
Seeking any way to improve via feedback from anyone should be a hallmark of a professional pilot. If you’re a former 121 captain, maybe it’s all BS to you, but some folks seem pretty thin skinned or thick headed to think they can’t learn anything along the way from someone who’s flown the same damn airplane to the same damn places for the last 20 f-ing years... it may not be strafing Taliban or flying cancelled checks, but that doesn’t mean we can’t learn a thing or two from a crusty old MF-er.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
