Flight Safety - ASA

[larry]

So what about those guys that paid 30K (or something like that) to get a job at ASA through Flight Safety? Isn't that as bad as Gulf Stream?

 

[Cadillac]

I heard Flight Safety has a program for already certificated pilots to train in the CRJ FTD or Simulator. After completion of the program, you would have a job with ASA. Sounds too good to be true, depending on the price. I looked at their website, but couldn't get any specifics. I will give them a call and get back to you.

 

[wil]

in the old pft days you had to pass Flight Safety training before you were offered a job. Trust me many did not make it! When I was hired in 2000, your hotel was paid, we got per diem and minimum wage. we did have 2 who did not make it in my class of 21, but I'm thinking they really balled up the check ride. I did not go into the checkride cocky but I knew how much the company had invested in me. I don't think I could have handled the stress of laying 10,000 grand plus hotel, meals, et cetera to get through the training. As for the new program you are indoctrinated in ASA flying from day 1. Last I heard, they had suspended the program due to too many not completing the program but now I guess it's back on- I don't know, I'm of the old school- flight instructed, hauled freight. That would be the route I would suggest. God bless and fly safe

 

[~~~^~~~]

The Flight Safety program seems to prepare students for ASA training very well. We have a group going through as I write this, and I have been impressed with them. They understand the training environment, study, fly the sim well and keep the training department happy.

The risk with this program is that there is no assurance that ASA will need pilots when the Flight Safety gig is finished, and it is expensive.

There are several "contractual" sources of ASA pilots. First, ALPA has, or is in the process, of securing preferential employment for any Delta furloughees that wish to come over. Also, Comair Flight Academy is pushing to get their grads at Comair, ASA and Chautauqua. This is in addition to the traditional channels for applicants.

$30,000 would buy a lot of multi time... It would be a tough call. The current thinking is that the frieght guys are the best pilots, but regardless of how you get in the door, the seniority number works the same.

Good luck! ~~~^~~~

 

[Chunk]

the real deal...

I'm a student at FSI and here's the deal....

After getting their CIME, students line up to interview with ASA...if they successfully interview, they are given a Conditional Offer of Employment (COE) that says if they pass FSI's "Direct Track" course (not everyone does) and then a checkride (I think given by ASA, but I'm not positive) they'll be given a class date for ASA. The training program at FSI consists of LOFT flights in a Seneca and a full course in a Level "D" Saab 2000 sim. You pay about 26K only once you receive a COE. ASA is only taking limited numbers. Back in the heyday (pre-9/11) you could also get the Seneca/Saab training for free if you agreed to CFI for 800 hours. If you interview and don't get a COE, you pay nothing.

A hiring captain from ASA came to FSI recently and talked to us. They are happy with the product they got so they cam back to us. We certainly aren't their only supply of pilots, they apparently like a mix of experience and background.

They just interviewed 10 applicants and gave COE's to 6 of them.

Hope this helps.

Chunk

 

[bobbysamd]

FSI and ASA

I am a former FSI instructor from the early '90s. What Chunk just wrote is essentially how the program operated back then, too.

I would have to second ~~~^~~~ , though. A risk you take with these programs and the various forms of you-know-what is the airlines for which you are training may not need anyone after you finish. In fact, I read an article years ago in a well-known pilot magazine - I cannot remember which - about a former Wall Street broker or something who went through an Air Midwest program (before Mesa purchased it). I remember clearly that it was quite a while before he actually went on the line.

 

[Typhoon1244]

So what about those guys that paid 30K (or something like that) to get a job at ASA through Flight Safety? Isn't that as bad as Gulf Stream?

Nothing's as bad as Gulfstream.

(Thirty K? Hmm. Inflation, I guess...)