Comair folks, info please

[eddie]

I am scheduled to start class this month. I know they pay for 1 week of hotel, could you please fill me in on what I will earn after that.

The web site says "full paid training", but I know that isn't the case. Also, are newhires allowed to jumpseat immediately, or are we stuck in CVG until after training.

Thanks for any info.

 

[RichO]

You recieve $240 a week during training until IOE.

 

[flaps30]

jumpseat

There used to be a month wait to get an ID, background checks, ect. Classes go until 4:00pm Friday, so you will have very little time to go anywhere. They will explain all this the first day. Good luck.

 

[LASvegas777]

Comair will give you non rev passes from CVG to and from your home address while in training unlimited until you reach the 30 days then you get your normal travel benefits so you can get home during the weekends while in grd. school. You have to go to the pass bureau to get them at Headquarters in CVG next to the airport, which right next to the training center you can get then at lunch no problem. Since July 2002 they have hired 160 plus pilots.

 

[RichO]

During "our" weekend (not always on Sat, Sun), most of the folks in my class would go home. Never seemed too have too much trouble leaving for two days, plus as the previous poster said, the pass bureau is great.

 

[Spartus]

eddie who did you fly dashes for?

 

[sidseal]

My class was on the night shift (4 to midnight). It was nice because you could head home early Sat. morning and not have to come back until Monday. The other nice thing was that no one was really around at night (i.e. management) so, there were a few times where we got out early, or at least released early to practice flows.

 

[eddie]

I flew for Piedmont. For a year.

Do they always have classes in shifts? When do you find that out? Do you know which airplane has better schedules for F/O's? Also, after the first week, are crashpads easy to find, or do most people shell out for the hotel?

Thanks for all the info.

 

[avratdwc]

Doea anyone here have any info on there udpated hiring status. Roughly how many they may do this year. I am curious to see if Delta's "Song" low cost carrier will have any effect on anything. Looking forward to replies. CYA

 

[captainv]

comair info

Eddie,

They did do classes in shifts for those of us in class over the holidays. i would imagine that they're back to just days now... you'll get you schedule on the first day that'll tell you your indoc class times. later you'll get info on systems class. as you get closer to the sim training, your class will bid on sim schedules. if you're a young guy, expect a 4 a.m. report time in the sim. i was in the middle and had 8 p.m. - 2 a.m.

you have no control over which airplane you get. they have been junior-manning a few new hires into the 70-seater, mostly because the line guys are avoiding it until they know they can hold a line on it. if you do get the 70, they send you to Montreal for a couple weeks of differences training after you finish in the sim. expect the 50, though.

in my class, everyone moved out of the hotel after the first week. a few are staying with family, but half of us (7) are currently crammed into a 3 BR apartment. works out to about $125/month each including utilities. it's not bad, really - there's always someone to study with. now that we're wrapping up training, we'll all have different schedules, so it won't get crowded very often...

actually, we may have a guy moving out soon, PM me if you're interested. our pad is just south of the airport, right near the mall and tons of restaurants....

captainv

 

[Hovernut]

Jumpseat

Eddie, I was told while in ground school not to jumpseat until after passage of the 121SIC checkride. I guess you're not really a "qualified crewmember" until you get your ticket. But, as mentioned before, they will write you tickets until you get your bennies after 30 days.

As Sideseal mentioned, sometimes you can "practice your flows" on your way home. But be mindful that your travels are logged in the Deltamatic computer and if you have to appear before the training review board (or whatever it's called) to answer for failing grades or sim difficulties, they may not look upon that too favorably. I have no personal experience with this, but have heard this from some instructors. I do know two people who travelled a lot during training, had difficulties, and unfortunately aren't here anymore. Coincidence?? I don't know. Please don't be alarmed, though. This happens rarely and for the most part, everyone gets through without a hitch!

Welcome aboard! Just a couple months ago I was sweating it out in the sims, and just the other day, I was flying from Portland, ME to LaGuardia. We descended as we flew down the Hudson River valley, turned over West Point, and captured the LDA as the sun rose over Long Island, reflecting off the buildings in Manhattan. I can't believe how much fun I'm having!

 

[skydiverdriver]

You guys have some things WAYY better than it used to be. Half of my class went to Orlando, so we didn't have enough to even start a crashpad. Now, your whole class will be in Cinci, so that should help. We also had to go through the really low first year pay, and a strike, so I don't want to hear any of you guys complaining!! No, really, it's a great job and the training is top notch. I would suggest you don't go home much, as some of the guys that tried to keep their life outside of training aren't with us anymore. Just put your life on hold for a couple of months. If your girlfriend can't handle that, then she isn't worth it anyway. Good luck guys.

 

[big dog1]

How hard was the training and test? Compared to other airlines

 

[super ed]

Do they give you positive space while in training or is it just standby. Can you travel on Delta as well?

Super

 

[Hovernut]

Space-A

The tickets they write are non-rev and you'll be at the bottom of the list with no seniority. They will help you out in finding flights with a good # of open seats. They can even see how many non-revs are going, too.

One nice thing; in your 2nd week of training...Tuesday...(we started on a Monday) they'll fly your spouse/girlfriend/both down for the afternoon to attend orientation. Mgmt and Chief Pilots have lunch with you and explain the training program and its hardships to you and your significant other to try to ease things. You all get a tour of the facility, too.

As for the training footprint, it took me 2 months exactly from 1st day to checkride. IOE goes quick, too. Ground school to me was a breeze; having an extensive technical background really helped a lot. The sims proved challenging to most in my class. 1/3 of us were Academy and flew nothing larger than a Seminole...we all made it just fine, albeit with a few bumps, scrapes, and bruises. A couple other turbine operators didn't make it, and some with jet time found it challenging at first, but eventually breezed through.

Like I said before. They are quite willing to work with you, especially if you demonstrate a good attitude and a willingness to sacrafice and learn. Put your life on hold two measly months for a lifetime of rewards. Just recently I descended into Colorado Springs on a crisp clear day with snow blanketing the ground and the Rockies were so beautiful with their frosty tops while Pike's Peak stood prominently and looked magnificent from 150nm away!

 

[sidseal]

I want to know how hovernut keeps getting these good trips. He must know someone high up....LOL!

 

[Hovernut]

Just lucky, I guess! Don't worry, I'll get my share of 'boring' runs soon enough. The COS run is normally a 70 seater, but they got booted off due to the center fuel tank AD, I believe.

I also did a Houston out and back because they displaced a 70 off that, too...not sure if it's a fuel deal, or if they ran out of 70's during the snowstorm the other day.

Just waiting to get the call to do Helena and Santa Barbara!! Twenty-five hour layover in SLC...can you say ski trip?!

 

[sidseal]

Well, I got to deadhead back from YUL yesterday, so there! Just saw that they put a COS turn on my schedule later this month...we will see what happens. Also waiting for the call to "go west, young man"!

 

[CRJFlyer]

ha, if you guys think you have it good, i'll be in harrisburg, PA for the entire month, well atleast 4 hrs. a night for the month..Beat that..

 

[Hovernut]

Hey, I heard that's where the "Coyote Ugly" bar is. Too bad you'll only be able to drink WATER!!!