Got jobs from going to big Academies

[dpipes44]

I was thinking about starting the quest to become an airline pilot. I understand there is no magic formula to get a job other than hard work. I plan on getting my PPL local then maybe moving on to one of those large schools.

My question to all of you is:

How many of you went to a large academy like Pam Am, Comair or Flight Safety and were able to get a job from the interview they provide?

This is the real info that seems to be very hard to find.

Thanks,
Anthony

 

[northmountain]

You ask the wrong question. In my case I went to FlightSafety. They didn't "provide" an interview. What they did do was help the airline HR folks out by forwarding qualified resumes to them. I think the HR folks appreciated that because they didn't have to wade thru resumes that did not fit their profile. "FlightSafety, send us the resumes of those who have 1,500TT, over 500 multi and their ATP written" Then the airline gets a package fitting that profile.

Also, the airline usually has a long-standing relationship with the flight academy. They understand the type of product that is being provided is trained a certain way that they like. Not to say we didn't have our share of nitwits....but for the most part they get a professional group of men and women.

I think you are doing the right thing to get your PPL locally first.

You are going to get a massive amount of advice on "this school is better than that school." It comes down to this: the instructor.

I have seen excellent instructors at FBOs; I have seen god-awful instructors at FBOs. Same can be said for the flight academies. Though I will say that the standardization process at FSI got rid of the god-awful instructors---and that is a good thing!

The following goes for ANY FLIGHT SCHOOL:
1. Take marketing people with a grain of salt.
2. Add 20 percent to any quoted cost
3. Visit first...see if you can visit the maintenance area. Be skeptical of any school that doesn't let you into the maintenance area
4. Get rid of an instructor fast if he/she yells. You don't need some punk a$$ kid yelling at you. That doesn't mean someone can't be tough on you, however.
5. Watch your pocket....I think it is obscene that some flight academies are charging students 10-15 THOUSAND for a CFI.

 

[willis]

Hello,
I feel inclined to say do all of us "airline pilots" a favor and work for your job. Don't pay some company an A$$load of money to guarantee you an airline interview. These "first officer programs" do one thing they teach you how to be a first officer in one type of airplane (eg Gulfstream International Academy - BE1900). Once you leave the Gulfstream academy "type" of school you won't have the piloting skills that a former CFI or freightdog would have. We have a ton of these type of pilots at the airline I work for. They are not liked very well by the pilot group because they paid for their job, and can do little more than pull a gear handle and read a checklist. Be careful for whom you take flight training from. When you meet your instructor talk with him for a while, if you get the impression that he's not very smart he probably isn't. Ask questions like what is your pass rate? Do you have a gold seal certificate? If you get the impression that you are wasting his time move on and find a more mature CFI. Try to find one with at least a thousand hours. Finally find a flight school with a degree program (& FAR 141 qualified) you can get a degree as well as get your ratings.
Peace out!!
Willis

 

[bobbysamd]

Large schools

I earned my ratings with two instructors who owned their own airplanes. I signed off my first two students as an independent instructor (one was a gimme - an Army helo pilot who wanted his airplane instrument rating). I have worked at three large/well-known schools, ERAU, FSI and Mesa. Therefore, I believe I have experienced a good cross-section of flight training.

After I went to work for ERAU I became aware rather quickly that I had not received enough education for my ratings. I found that my students knew more than I did about a lot of things. I buckled down and studied and got up to speed. What helped me was that Riddle provided a stimulating learning environment for students and instructors alike - a plus of attending such a school. It also formulated the opinion(s) in my mind that one gets a better education and better training at a structured school. If I had it to do over, I would have finished my ratings (I only needed multi and MEI) and earned a second B.S. at Riddle to bridge the gaps in my education.

I also believe that getting your ratings at a school with some kind of name can help your job search. Networking, internships and contact opportunities notwithstanding, I believe you create a better impression if you can put down a "name" in the Education section of an app. I had no "name" to put on mine. I'm convinced it hurt me.

Those are a couple of reasons why I recommend to people that they go to a good, structured school. I base it on my experiences of not having trained at a school. I believe a school offers a better training experience overall.

I would second Northmountain's comments about points to consider when evaluating a school and his comments about the benefits of instructor standardization.

I also second Willis' comments about Gulfstream and similar (P-F-T) programs. After I started instructing I was astounded at how much I learned about flying and aviation. I'm proud to say that my students were some of the best instructors I had.

 

[B190Captain]

Hello,
I feel inclined to say do all of us "airline pilots" a favor and work for your job. Don't pay some company an A$$load of money to guarantee you an airline interview. These "first officer programs" do one thing they teach you how to be a first officer in one type of airplane (eg Gulfstream International Academy - BE1900). Once you leave the Gulfstream academy "type" of school you won't have the piloting skills that a former CFI or freightdog would have. We have a ton of these type of pilots at the airline I work for. They are not liked very well by the pilot group because they paid for their job, and can do little more than pull a gear handle and read a checklist. Be careful for whom you take flight training from. When you meet your instructor talk with him for a while, if you get the impression that he's not very smart he probably isn't. Ask questions like what is your pass rate? Do you have a gold seal certificate? If you get the impression that you are wasting his time move on and find a more mature CFI. Try to find one with at least a thousand hours. Finally find a flight school with a degree program (& FAR 141 qualified) you can get a degree as well as get your ratings.
Peace out!!
Willis

Were you taught to be an FO in more than one type at your company? The reason why these pilots are taught only in the 1900 is because that's the only type we have!!

I am curious as to how you came to these conclusions about these pilots that come from Gulfstream. Judging from your profile you are a FO on a CL-65 so how could you have flown with any of them to judge the piloting skills?

I am a Check Airman at GIA and have flown with quite a number of these guys and gals in their OE Training. Some are actually pretty sharp considering their time but don't get me wrong there are duds too. As for lots of these former GIA FO's that are now flying for your company ( I am guessing Airlink) that can only raise the gear and read a checklist, what does that say about your company's judgement in a candidate or your training program? They did get hired and they did pass a check ride with your company didn't they?

As for having these "superior skills" because you were a CFI or a freight dog, pleeease, what a bunch of crap. I have flown with former CFI, II's and MEI's that can't shoot an approach if their life depended on it. So please direct your ignorance elsewhere.

I do give you credit about some of the advice you give. You do have to be careful on how you rate a prospective flight school. Alot of these fly by night FBO's will take your money and run.

I am not knocking CFI's don't misunderstand me but just how much hands on flying do you do when you are flying with a student?

Fly Safe!!

 

[Beech1900]

what

What is the deal with Gulfstream? I don't see any difference in a CFI with so much instructing hour compare to a F/O @ gulfstream. What do you guys do? Teach and thats it the student is the one thats doing all the flying. And plus some CFI's just want to build up hours and don't do jack squat ( Watch your airspeed, altitude, blah blah blah) anyways even CAPTAINS of 777's or 757's there sons to go to GIA. So go figure.

 

[172driver]

I am not knocking CFI's don't misunderstand me but just how much hands on flying do you do when you are flying with a student?

Or as a GIA check airman for that matter

 

[B190Captain]

Or as a GIA check airman for that matter

I get plenty of hands on time thank you. Plenty more than a CFI thats for sure.

 

[Beech1900]

hahhahahha.... Just curious... For the CFI's if you guys were looking for a training academy and you found out about GIA would you consider going?

 

[B190Captain]

Boy, that's going to open BIIG can of worms!! LOL!!