Delta Connection/Comair Academy

[Daydreamer]

Commercial / Sales trick

Good morning:


I had those things before. That is the reason why I wait for a year and weighing everybody's opinions before I make my move



Daydreamer

 

[BankAccount=0$]

I attended the academy myself back in 99'. All I can say is that in my experience the training was top notch, on the other hand the aircraft were pretty rough. When I was there our "new" Seminoles were cast offs from Air Safety (FlightSafety's neighbor after Flight Safety sold them to Airsafety). There is a huge mindset at the academy that you should keep your mouth closed about things that are not right there or you won't get an interview. I do have about 7 friends who went through the program that are RJ drivers now though. I also have a couple of friends who did the whole program that were not hired to instruct there. All in all it's like anything else in this biz...it's a crap shoot, just get the best training you can, and all will work out in the end if you persevere, and want it bad enough.
Good luck in your career and training.........
TJ

 

[UKflyer]

Hi,

I'm thinking about going to Delta Connection Academy. I've been in touch with them asking questions, and all i can say is that they are very professional in what they do, and the information they give to people. You have to take whatever you get with a pinch of salt (like anything), but i would say that initial impressions are very good. I believe that you get what you pay for, and i think that although Delta's programs are more expensive than say your local FBO, your still getting your money's worth.

Good luck.

JB.

 

[KATL8R26L]

Sales & Flying

It is all a sales pitch in this business,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,


shop around before you make a big mistake.


They will tell you what you want to hear just to sign you up,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Most guys that i know made it from the local fbos and other places, smaller schools where you get private attition when you need help.



Sales person moving mouth , sales person lying to make commission, and belive me they are in it for only the money.

so be carefull out there.

 

[bobbysamd]

A little school sales pitch advice

I'm thinking about going to Delta Connection Academy. I've been in touch with them asking questions, and all i can say is that they are very professional in what they do, and the information they give to people . . . . . but i would say that initial impressions are very good . . . . .

Confuscius said:

"Man with forked tongue should not kiss balloon."

. . . . if you catch my drift.

 

[Timebuilder]

I looked at a great number of Florida flight schools when I was deciding where to do my CFI training. Did I want to hitch my wagon to a school where I might find myself interviewing at Comair in two years? That was easy, sure I did. Did I want to pay some inflated prices and accept low pay on that chance that it would all work out? That was a bigger question.

I ended up continuing my training at my FBO near home, and instructed for a little over a year. I didn't have to move, made twice the money that CAA offered, and I will upgrade to Captain soon. No one is being laid off here, and my company just added another LR 55 and expects to add a GIV soon.

[Editor's note: I was laid of on May 13th, and the GV fell through, too. It was still a good experience, and I think the right decision to finish my training locally]

Did I make the right decision? Yep. Preparation meets opportunity.

One thing I can tell you about Comair Academy, they are good marketers, if nothing else. If I had been 25, I might have dived on that bait hook, line and sinker. At the time of my visit, the instructors looked to be professional pilots, while the students looked like concert trash. I understand that this has changed. Good for them. A professional outer image helps to grow a professional inner image, and the cultural shock from public high school and politically correct colleges must be enormous.

Me: I saved a ton of money, made more, and have a good job, even if my wages are low compared to other similar positions.

You: must weigh all of the variables, separate the truth (or the likely truth) from the fertilizer and make a decision. If you are currently 18, time is on your side. It WILL become harder as you move up the age scale.

Choose wisely.

 

[bobbysamd]

Professional image

At the time of my visit, the instructors looked to be professional pilots, while the students looked like concert trash. I understand that this has changed. Good for them. A professional outer image helps to grow a professional inner image . . .

As an aside, good comments in support of schools that require uniforms.

 

[DAS at 10/250]

YOU MEAN CONAIR?

YEAH. BEEN THERE. DONE THAT.

MY ADVICE? RUN LIKE THE WIND.

LETS SEE. I DID MY INSTRUMENT RATING THERE WHEN I WAS STILL YOUNG, DUMB, AND STUPID. AND LOW TIME.

$12,000 FOR AN INSTRUMENT RATING. WHOA. BAD PILOT, RIGHT?

WRONG. I UNDERFLEW THE PROGRAM BY 6 HOURS. HAD TO BURN TIME TO TAKE THE 141 RIDE. CHECK RIDE. ACED. RUNWAY 9L, WIND 350 18G26KT.

WAS THE TRAINING GOOD. YES. AIRCRAFT. OK. MAINTENCE. FAIR. (I AM A FORMER ARMY HELICOPTER MECHANIC, SO I DO KNOW SOMETHING HERE.)

YOU WILL LEARN. YOU WILL BE TAUGHT. AND YOU WILL BE SCREWED.

THEY WILL STEAL EVERY CHANCE THEY GET. $250 HERE AND THERE. AND THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REP? HE IS THERE TO TAKE YOUR MONEY.

CHECK OUT THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA AVIATION PROGRAM. BEST PRICES IN THE INDUSTRY. CREDIT AND NON-CREDIT.

LIVE. LEARN. FLY. AND THEN GO SOMEWHERE ELSE.

 

[ChadCRJ]

Jet Direct Program?

Has anyone heard any word about this program an how it is going? I Know its really expensive (around 65,000) to come out with about 350 hours TT. Just haven't heard if any students are doing it or what. Any info on this program that Delta Connection has to offer would be great. Thanks

Chad

 

[172driver]

It is PFT and there is no one enrolled in it as far as I know.

 

[OhioFlyO]

Here's what Delta Academy told me. I can get a job there as an instructor and teach for 800hrs. After this, I will be guaranteed and interview with one of their connections. The catch?? I have to redo my CFI and CFII with them and then eventually get my MEI. The cost? A mere $25,000!!!

 

[52vincent]

Ohio

You got to be kidding me, are you serious? That is absolutely ludicrous.
Is the certificate they issue to their CFI's any different than the one I have in my wallet?
Oh well all we can do is keep on pluggin.

 

[bobbysamd]

Comair

Here's what Delta Academy told me. I can get a job there as an instructor and teach for 800hrs. After this, I will be guaranteed and interview with one of their connections. The catch?? I have to redo my CFI and CFII with them and then eventually get my MEI. The cost? A mere $25,000!!!

That is outrageous.

In case anyone needs a definition of pay-for-interview, just read the above.

 

[172driver]

Got any other top regionals to interview at?

 

[StrykerFL]

Thats typical

Got any other top regionals to interview at?

You see. That’s what I have been talking about every time that I have posted comments about CAA/DCA. Most of the instructors (not all of them) have this same jackass attitude like they are the shizznit because they have a guaranteed interview.

When I look back on it, there is still no way that I would have stayed to work there and put up with all of the BS just for the opportunity at an interview. I don't need their help, if that’s what you want to call it, and never did.

 

[OhioFlyO]

Hi everyone,
Yeah, I was serious about the post before. I actually emailed someone from PanAm Academy and they said the same thing. They also happened to mention that Delta Academy had a long waiting list for their CFI jobs. It's too bad I don't have 25 grand to blow, cuz I wouldn't mind getting my CFI again. I mean, I did it once....I wouldn't care if I had to take the test again. I'm just getting a little discouraged, I guess. I've been out of college since last year and still no job. But oh well, I'll keep pluggin' away!

"Maybe I could learn how to be a truck driver. Mav, you still got that number for that truck driving school we saw on TV? Truckmaster I think it is...I might need that"

 

[172driver]

I feel for you like I do for all aspiring pilots in today's industry but you have to look at the other side of it. There are many students who have spent $50K plus and a lot of work to get their ratings at DCA. When they chose the school it was because of perks like the CFI job, multi time, airline travel benefits, and the interview. How do you think they would feel if the school turned around and hired from the outside? It has happened and, believe me, it's not good for student or employee morale.

Competitive mins at Comair right now are around 4000-5000 with 121 time. Academy guys are being hired with 1000/100. It's a pretty good place to be in today's environment. You gotta make the investment in them before they're going to help you out though. I agree it sounds outrageous to redo your ratings but they really have no other way to provide you with a shot at the rewards.

As for Stryker, obviously he's too good for DCA and will get his interview some other way. He's a real bright one...paid the $50K and decided not to cash in on the rewards. See you in about five years buddy. Hope you enjoy instructing. With your attitude, the interview won't go so well anyway.

 

[Clancy]

It sounds to me that a few people on this board feel as if you can just buy your way into the right seat of a regional jet.

 

[172driver]

Choosing to do your training and CFI work at a quality flight academy is what we're talking about here. Those who choose to attend DCA must work extremely hard to obtain their ratings and work hard to excel as CFI's, just like anywhere else in aviation.

Those who put in the time and effort are rewarded with the benefits I listed above, including a guaranteed interview with Comair. Not a guaranteed job. Nobody is buying anything, only choosing where to do their training. Some schools have brand new airplanes, some have scenic training areas, some have advanced sims, some pay very well, some have guaranteed interviews. It's a matter of choices.

The advantage to doing it here is that you get your foot in the door at a quality regional and interview alongside many applicants with much higher time. The airline feels no pressure, I'm sure, to hire anybody they don't feel will do an excellent job.

 

[BankAccount=0$]

Buyer Beware.........

If you're willing to bend over and take all of the BS that the academy has to offer their CFI's, then by all means just write them a check and head on down to Sanford. But of course be prepared to be passed over in favor of a foreign "intern" who isn't allowed to work in the U.S. When I was there it was common practice to save money by hiring foreigners over American CFI's to teach at the academy. In my opinion the academy has great training, but the politics and the management have always been sub-par.
Oh, if anybody reads this who is there, does Susan Burell (sp.) still ride her crotch rocket to school?? She was probably the only one from management when I was there that was worth keeping.