Skywest Training?

[Nevets]

Make sure you don't sleep through the thick dose of the rah rah kool aid you'll be drowned with. You don't get three chances at that before they fire you if they don't think you got on board.

 

[Terantious]

Can anyone detail Skywest's new-hire CRJ training course?

I know there is a limitations quiz that supposedly needs to be 99% or higher score, but do they really send folks home if the person missed six questions vs. five? Is it the standard 1.2 weeks of HR/Indoc stuff, two weeks of death-by-powerpoint systems, then paper tigers and sims? Do they do CBT?

Where are folks making their mistakes in training?

When do you get the systems and maneuvers information in training (first day, week, first day of systems)? When do they tell you what you do with the flow items?

What is SAPA?

What is the best hair gel for the spikes? Any tips for getting them back after the headset has flattened them?

What are the best colors for the backpack? Should it be draped over one shoulder or both?

Are black earphones ok for the iPod, or are we required to use the white ones that came with the unit?

And with the pizza place gone, is Lotteta's(?) still off-limits?

Just out of curiosity, why do you want detailed information about the groundschool. If it`s not what you want to hear are you going to go to PSA? Are you hoping for an easy groundschool? Not trying to be a jerk but just wondering why such detail. You should score 100% percent on the limitations quiz, period. Worrying about if you can miss 6 or 5 should not even be an issue. They are limitations. Standard 121 groundschool length with the usual indoc and systems exams at the end. No tricks, if you put in the effort you will be fine. Don`t put in the effort, then you will struggle. I would`t even touch the systems books until you pass the indoc test, so when you get the books is irrelevant.

 

[Maria]

Just out of curiosity, why do you want detailed information about the groundschool.

It's a form of checkrideitis usually experienced by high-performers with perfectionist tendencies. Knowing more about the testing situation calms the affliction and enables a better performance. This affliction can be compounded by the perceived desirability of the goal achieved, the emptiness of the wallet enhancing the need for the job, and past decisions that may or may not be proven qualifiers for the Dumbass Olympics.

Hope we never fly together because it's contagious.

 

[PBRstreetgang]

What is SAPA?

SAPA is the advertising/pimp for SKYW management. Management decides on a new set of tater stretchers, SAPA sell them to the pilots, ie Ready Reserve is only for the Olympics, we managed to get KY at a discount though. PBS is here, AOS is what the company wants since its essentially free, because no one else will touch it with a 10 ft pole, we did manage to get KY at a discount though.
SAPA only costs a cool million per year, awesome ROI!

 

[UncleRico]

I have worked at both companies (3 yrs at PSA and the last 5 at Skywest). I can say that if you have checkride anxiety then Skywest is the place for you. The longer ground school and larger class size will help you find more people wanting to study for perfection. They are both quality training departments, but Skywest's is definitely overkill expecting that you know nothing about the jet or 121 flying. PSA expects the student to have more knowledge than the new hire actually has which can be frustrating if your instructor puts forth minimum effort. I chose to leave PSA for a better quality life (no commute). QOL is different for everyone but if you have a choice select the airline that will give you a better life. The money is better at Skywest with more options, in my honest opinion.

 

[1x1]

well there are some SkyW FOs and CAs running around saying "well here at mainline..." when speaking to an XJT pilot

FLAMER ALERT

NOBODY at SKYW is saying that, Chief.

 

[Iflyamouse]

Can anyone detail Skywest's new-hire CRJ training course?

For a new hire, ground school consists of 6 days of indoc and 12 (EMB)-14 (CRJ) days of systems ground school. During that time you will take an Indoc exam, systems exam, and a limitations quiz. The only thing that counts as a 'strike' in ground school is the final systems exam. You're only allowed to fail it once. A second failure and you will be let go. That happens to maybe 1% of the new-hires.

After ground school you'll do FTD (EMB has 3 sessions, CRJ has 5) and sim (EMB has7, CRJ has 9). There are various 'stage checks' where you could get a 'strike' and, like most airlines, 3 strikes and you're out. Although even fewer people fail out of sim at SkyWest than do ground school.

I know there is a limitations quiz that supposedly needs to be 99% or higher score, but do they really send folks home if the person missed six questions vs. five? Is it the standard 1.2 weeks of HR/Indoc stuff, two weeks of death-by-powerpoint systems, then paper tigers and sims? Do they do CBT?

The limitations quizes and Indoc final exam don't count as 'strikes', so no, you won't be sent home for that. The limitations quiz is all fill in the blank and it's in the exact same format as the study guide you're given just with blanks instead of answers. If you can memorize numbers, you'll pass with 100% no problem.

The EMB is 100% instructor led class, the CRJ is about 85% instructor led and 15% CBT, mostly due to the computer labs to learn the FMS.

Where are folks making their mistakes in training?

Any airline new-hire training is tough. You need to be ready to study for 6 weeks straight. The last 2 people that didn't make it through ground school had family/personal problems and asked to leave. So that's the most common reason ... the student needs to be mentally ready for the challenge. Students need to be up on their IFR procedures. Getting clearances, talking on the radio, reading approach plates, instrument scan ... these are the things first time 121 pilots often struggle with at SkyWest and most other regionals.

When do you get the systems and maneuvers information in training (first day, week, first day of systems)? When do they tell you what you do with the flow items?

You'll get all the indoc stuff and the limitations study material on the first day of indoc. You'll get the systems stuff, including flow study material, on the first day of systems ground school and the sim study material sometime during the week prior to starting sim. Baby steps ...

What is SAPA?

SAPA is the SkyWest pilot group. They are NOT a union and for most SkyWest'ers that's a good thing. They do however 'negotiate' with management to make SkyWest a better place and fix problems. Is SkyWest perfect? NO! But it's a great place to work.

And if you're debating SkyWest or PSA ... choose the one that will give you the best QOL based on where you want to live. If you're chasing the fastest upgrade, fancy planes, highest pay etc ... you're likely to be disappointed because those kinds of things change often.

 

[sstearns2]

Can anyone detail Skywest's new-hire CRJ training course?

I know there is a limitations quiz that supposedly needs to be 99% or higher score, but do they really send folks home if the person missed six questions vs. five? Is it the standard 1.2 weeks of HR/Indoc stuff, two weeks of death-by-powerpoint systems, then paper tigers and sims? Do they do CBT?

The basic policy is three strikes. They generally will work with you, but if you show a trend they will send you home.

Where are folks making their mistakes in training?

Not being prepared.

When do you get the systems and maneuvers information in training (first day, week, first day of systems)? When do they tell you what you do with the flow items?

They will send you the limitations and memory items well before your class date. I'm pretty sure you get everything on the first day. I would ask them to email you the SOP too.

What is SAPA?

Skywest Airlines Pilot Association

What is the best hair gel for the spikes? Any tips for getting them back after the headset has flattened them?

What are the best colors for the backpack? Should it be draped over one shoulder or both?

Are black earphones ok for the iPod, or are we required to use the white ones that came with the unit?

I like a sense of humor as much as the next guy, but please understand the need to act and look professional at all times.

Cheers,
Scott

And with the pizza place gone, is Lotteta's(?) still off-limits?

.....

 

[Nevets]

The "basic" policy and trend...

 

[Maria]

hanks for all of the wonderful replies. Hoping they'll call soon.