Busted ride

[proud_dude]

Hello everyone.. this has probably already been asked sometime in the past...sorry to repeat it.
I am thinking of "shopping around" doing some Regional interviews (I am currently employed at a small regional). I am wondering if I have any chance of a job, because I failed my Captain upgrade.. actually failed the check ride, re trained, and then failed the subsequent re ride. I am confident that I can both take responsbiity for my failfure, and also explain some extenuating circumstances if asked in an interview.
I have only ever done one interview in the past, and am curious what some of the bigger regional's responses will be. Of course I would never lie when asked if I busted any rides.
Any ideas? Should I be shopping for a new career?
Thanks!

 

[efiscompmon]

No need to change careers. But, I would stay put and show a track record of subsequent sucessful checkrides, FO 441's and the like, before going anywhere else. Even better if you can wait out your year or whatever and pass the captain's ride again.

I know nothing about your situation, but neither do the people who will be interviewing you at the next place. Would you rather appear like someone who quit and ran when it got tough or gutted it out and proved you were equal to the task before moving on? B-S macho, I know, but it is how people think.


With fewer and fewer regionals every year, why take the chance of being shot down now? Fix the training record "problem" and then apply for a bettter job. Besides, you are at least employed! My $0.02

 

[CitationLover]

i think an important issue would be how you busted your ride. was it a faa observation ride or the actual type ride? was it boneheaded or circumstantial? is there a history there, ie any other pinkies?

 

[tyuwerty]

Repeating the advice of others.

efiscompmon says "Even better if you can wait out your year or whatever and pass the captain's ride again." and he is right (for once). The best thing for you right now is to show a strong recovery from the failure. Many airlines will be reluctant to touch you right after a failure, they will also wonder why you want to leave your company. That will change with the passage of time.

Be very careful when explaining "extenuating circumstances", many will consider doing so as making excuses. That is the last thing they want to hear. Never blame a "poor" training program or department, they will only assume that if you have a problem with them you will do the same thing. Better to accept full responsibility and say you learned from it and won't make the same mistake again.

 

[350DRIVER]

You need to stay put and get over this hurdle, be successful on upgrade, and overcome the past two failures, whether it be in a year or three years down the line. I think you must get this opportunity again and pass the upgrade ride at some point prior to jumping ship. I don't think you have many other options, the cards are surely stacked against you unfortunately.


Once you make captain then the score will be 0/0 and you will have a much better chance to be successful at another interview.

stay put & good luck,

3 5 0

 

[ILStoMinimums]

Your not talking about Lakes are you?

 

[mooser]

Hello everyone.. this has probably already been asked sometime in the past...sorry to repeat it.
I am thinking of "shopping around" doing some Regional interviews (I am currently employed at a small regional). I am wondering if I have any chance of a job, because I failed my Captain upgrade.. actually failed the check ride, re trained, and then failed the subsequent re ride. I am confident that I can both take responsbiity for my failfure, and also explain some extenuating circumstances if asked in an interview.
I have only ever done one interview in the past, and am curious what some of the bigger regional's responses will be. Of course I would never lie when asked if I busted any rides.
Any ideas? Should I be shopping for a new career?
Thanks!

Ok your career isn't exactly over; but speaking for everyone else we need details details details!!!!

Mooser

 

[labbats]

I thought Lakes had a clause where you're fired if you fail upgrade. I could be wrong though.

 

[English]

It sounds more like Colgan.


I agree with 350 on this one. You need to upgrade where you are. If you leave to go elsewhere, it will look as though you failed and could not upgrade at all. If you stay and eventually pass, it will show that you are capable of passing a 121 PIC checkride.

The problem you might have, if you are at Colgan, is that, since it is a small company, you might already have been labelled a failure in the training department. So, your next opportunity (if they even give you one) to upgrade is where you will need to shine. Start preparing now. Instead of spending the time researching other companies, spend that time studying and preparing for another checkride. You are kinda stuck and have to upgrade where you are. Otherwise, you may never have the opportunity to go to a larger regional, much less an LCC or major.

I would recommend that you contact a career counselor for some direction on this. A career counselor that specializes in aviation would be able to help you through your decision-making process as well as prep you for any future interviews. If you had busted the checkride only once, maybe it wouldn't be necessary. But having busted twice...you are going to need professional help and advice to make sure this doesn't relegate your career to the regionals.

 

[climbhappy]

you must pass the hurdle where you are...

I agree with english and 350driver, and you should ask yourself....am i really an airline captain?
companies want to hire cpt not fos. at least that's what i've always understood? brainfarts are one thing.
i've seen meltdowns in the sim, i've had a badhair day myself. you must look in the mirror and say , was it a bad hair day, or were you having a meltdown which in essence says you might not be captain material.
if you answer no, i'd get out of airlines and get a decent paying job and fly for fun.
you may even want to get a cfi and instruct. you'll endup probably very content.

i know some guys in your situation and they always left the regional and ended up corporate or charter.
you can be happy there. also.

pray for guidance, and all the best to you !

 

[ILStoMinimums]

From what I've heard, Lakes fais about 60% of Capt upgrades - and a lot of those guys have no reason at all the get failed. Came from a guy that used to work their and has moved on to greener pastures.

 

[mooser]

From what I've heard, Lakes fais about 60% of Capt upgrades - and a lot of those guys have no reason at all the get failed. Came from a guy that used to work their and has moved on to greener pastures.

Hmm; can anyone else confirm this...I am one of the current GLA Poolies.

Mooser

 

[tyuwerty]

From what I've heard, Lakes fais about 60% of Capt upgrades - and a lot of those guys have no reason at all the get failed. Came from a guy that used to work their and has moved on to greener pastures.

Yes it is true; they fail for poor spelling and grammar.

 

[rightrudder]

Hmm; can anyone else confirm this...I am one of the current GLA Poolies.

Mooser

It is true, I know lots of people who've flown at Lakes. Lots of Fo's fail too, the training is minimal and hostile. Make sure you get your hands on the study material early and have all of it memorized to the letter before you get there , if you want a chance to make it.

 

[mooser]

It is true, I know lots of people who've flown at Lakes. Lots of Fo's fail too, the training is minimal and hostile. Make sure you get your hands on the study material early and have all of it memorized to the letter before you get there , if you want a chance to make it.

Does anyone know how long they give you to study the Limitations. IE how long before you class date???

Mooser

 

[rightrudder]

Does anyone know how long they give you to study the Limitations. IE how long before you class date???

Mooser

You have until your systems test, however long that is, maybe 2-3 weeks of starting groundschool. I think the only way to get the limitations and memory items is from a current Laker, I don't think they supply you with them until you start class. Make sure you get the memory items too. That way you can focus on studying the FOM and systems stuff while in groundschool without having to worry about also learning the limitations and memory items. And, in the meantime, buy some sim time and make sure your scan is up to speed.

 

[CitationLover]

mooser,

it ain't a 777. the beech is pretty easy systems wise and memory items wise (unless you're going to the brazilia). just go through the memory items once a night each night at GS and you'll be fine.

i don't know what systems book gla uses (we used the Flight Safety one for Air Middie). PM me if you want a cd of this manual.

 

[mooser]

You have until your systems test, however long that is, maybe 2-3 weeks of starting groundschool. I think the only way to get the limitations and memory items is from a current Laker, I don't think they supply you with them until you start class. Make sure you get the memory items too. That way you can focus on studying the FOM and systems stuff while in groundschool without having to worry about also learning the limitations and memory items. And, in the meantime, buy some sim time and make sure your scan is up to speed.

Will do

Mooser

 

[TEXAN AVIATOR]

Interesting info about lakes…

 

[Obi-Wan]

What if he has already left that company or been fired? At the last company i worked at there was a guy who failed 2 times, they called him in and gave him the option to resign or be fired. How do you explain that in an interview? On the positive side I think you got nothing to lose. You obviously have some turbine time, just apply to several companies, inteview and let them decide if they want you or not.