Delta Connection/Comair Academy

[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.