Comair

[generaltso]

About low time hires - I think they will start occuring more and more. Commutair is hiring at 900/100, and you can get an interview with around that time. I think a lot of regionals don't want the super experienced guys because the regionals know that these guys will be gone as soon as the industry recovers (which it is already in the process of doing).

Also, I lot of major airline pilots who were furloughed are not going back to regionals (except flow back agreements). I have talked with several who have no intention of looking for a regional job. They can't take the pay cut and they don't want to work that hard! These guys have seniority numbers at major airlines. They can collect unemployment for a length of time, and then most of them are doing a lot outside of aviation. Some are military, landscapers, bartenders, mr. moms, etc.

So I don't think people should be getting all bent out of shape because there are a lot of high time pilots on the street. Yes you will see them at your regional interviews, but if you have a good interview, you will get the job. A company doesn't fly you out to have an interview without the intention of hiring you (or so I've been told). For most places, its your interview to blow.

And about ComAir, I had an instructor that went through the program but they didn't hire him as an instructor. D@mn good guy, and good pilot. So I don't know what kind of show they running.

----
Three times one minus one is gonna make a'ight

 

[NEDude]

I don't know any specifics, but a friend of mine who just finished the sim at Comair said there was nobody in his class from the academy. In fact all but one in his class (of about 25) had prior 121 experience. The only guy who didn't have 121 experience had corporate experience and a lot of time.

 

[172driver]

When was his class?

 

[Ameriagle]

I have no problem with you expressing an opinion about the Comair Academy, I'm sure it turns out fine pilots. You are trying to make a point that post 09/11 hiring atmosphere has given you and advantage. You can't sell the fact that the Academy folks whom are getting the interviews now knew 18 months ago that industry hiring would be so greatly influenced by the events of 09/11. Nor can you say what is going to be driving hiring trends 18 months from now.

From my experience it has never been about where I did my training (Part 61), but what I took from that training. I am extremely fortunate to have had opportunities present themselves that have allowed me to progress towards my career goals. Never once have I creditied my training experience as a factor in whether I got an interview or a job. Experience yes....where I did my primary training...no! Good luck!

 

[172driver]

True, true, and true again. Before 9/11, and especially during the strike, I thought I may not have been in such a good place. Fickle business we're in...could change tomorrow. I loved the training I did part 61...much more freedom to work on the things that NEED to be worked on, instead of what the lesson sheet says. Part 61, like 141, really depends on the quality of the people in the airplane, not the rules they're operating under. My original intent with these posts was to let confused future students know what this option (141--Comair) is like. I am not, again, not, saying rah, rah Comair or that 141 is the way to go. Excuuuse me to all those who jumped on me about defending my school. It's just that I see so much negativity on the boards about every option, thought I'd throw some positive words out there. Everybody seems to say ...I would've done it differently, even if they're now driving Boeings. Why do pilots complain so much? Don't y'all like what you're doing?

 

[350DRIVER]

172- keep your head up high and block out the negativity, there is absolutely nothing wrong with the flight school. There are enough people on this board that have overwhelming optimism to overcome the negativity that pops up every once in awhile..

I wish you wind at your "six" and dreams come true at your "twelve"......

Hope to see you "up there" one day.....

 

[surplus1]

Kudos 350Driver. Nice to see something positive.

To the naysayers: I don't think 172 was trying to "sell" his school. I also don't think he was trying to say his training was "better" than anybody else's training.

All that he really tried to tell you was that the train/instruct/interview program he is in (I think) would give him a chance at an interview, with low time, that he might not get otherwise. No more no less.

The truth is, if he completes the ab initio training at Comair Academy, if he subsequently gets hired by the Academy to instruct (not all students do) and if he finishes the time required as an instructor he WILL get the interview.

At that point, he will have about 1000 total + 100 multi. With those totals (in today's world) he just wouldn't get an interview at Comair. They can and do get people with a lot more flight time. That didn't just happen after 9-11. Comair has always been able to attract good people with more than "average" experience. Right now, the average new hire has about 3200 hours.

There is no guarantee he will get hired, but he wouldn't even get in the door if he wasn't in that program. I think that's all he said.

If you guys don't like that program, don't do it. I promise you no one will notice. Meanwhile let 172 do his thing. It works and I hope some day I may have a chance to fly with him. The people we select from the Academy are the very best of that crop. Everyone doesn't get hired. Many of them are far better than a lot of new hires with much more flight time and just as many bad habits that they picked up God knows where.

At Comair, most of what gets you hired is your attitude, not just some numbers scribbled in a log book. The only real purpose of "hours" is to reduce the number of people we have to screen. Once you get hired we will teach you what we want you to know anyway. 172 seems to have the right attitude and I hope it lasts.

Based on what you write on this board, there's a lot of you I'll never have the pleasure of meeting.

Good luck 172. Stick to your guns.

 

[172driver]

Thanks again Surplus. You're right on the money with that one. BTW, I have been instructing for about nine months, so I've already gotten over that hiring hurdle. You are correct in saying that a lot of weeding out goes on before we get in the door at CVG for that interview. Only quality pilots and, more importantly, quality people get that far and not all of them make it either. Would love to fly with you someday. 172.

 

[PositiveRate]

Just interviewed at comair 2 weeks ago and there were 5 academy instructors there. They seemed to have their stuff together, and I'm sure most of them got hired.

I got on with just 1400TT and a few hundred multi. I did have some 121 time, but not much. Once you're in the door, it's a level playing field and that's the way you need to approach it. If the academy gets you into the stadium, than play it for all it's worth.

Good luck with the rest of your instructing.

Steve

ps. Is it true that you are required to quit/resign if you go to the interview? What happens if you don't get it...are you on the street then?

 

[skyboat]

For those of you who want 172 to wait a few years before he makes comparisons, I'll cover his six. I left the Academy as an instructor over two years ago.

I did my ratings part 61at my local FBO and then went to the Comair Academy to finish my CFI ratings. They then hired me as an instructor. I will say the program works. It is not for everyone, true statement; it is expensive, true statement; it is a pain in the a**, true statement but the program does work.

My biggest complaint about the program is that everything you do there is held over your head in regards to getting hired at the Academy/ Airline. Don't be late for lessons, you won't get hired. You don't want to pick up the extra student, you won't get hired. You don't follow the company line? The Director of Training won't give you the schopols recommendation (which is required for the interview).

I believe that many, but not all, of the cost overruns are the students fault. I can't tell you how many lesson's had to be repeated because the student did not show up prepared or showed up hung over.

It use to amaze me how many students and instructors would try to buck the system. It seemed that they had a better way or had better knowledge on what the airlines wanted and wanted to create their own way. More often than not these were the people that were let go at some point of the process. I sincerely believe that is why the airlines like military pilots. It's not that they are exceptional pilots, some are don't get me wrong, but they simply do what they are asked or told to do. To put it another way they can follow instructions.

To all you CAA people out there, keep the faith and a positive attitude. That is all the Airline wants. If you don't make the whole process, just remember that noone can take away the experience and ratings that you have gained no matter how much money you paid for them. You will find a future.