My short Delta Connection Academy Experience

[aeronautic1]

800 hours given?

What's up with that? Look, I NEVER got my instructor ratings and have been invited to interview with every regional that I submitted to. I only have not interviewed because I will not prostitute myself for $1700 per month (before taxes) to work like a dog for these operators. I would rather fly 402 back and forth to the Bahamas for $30-40 per hour than have to share a crash pad for five years with a bunch of slobs.

Spend your money with a good school (not airline school) and you will get that CFI job without nearly as much heart ache that these vultures will create.

Good luck in your flying career.

 

[as739x]

I just wanted to thank all of you for your reply's to my questions. Very helpful!!!!

 

[cgwilk2000]

What's up with that? Look, I NEVER got my instructor ratings and have been invited to interview with every regional that I submitted to. I only have not interviewed because I will not prostitute myself for $1700 per month (before taxes) to work like a dog for these operators. I would rather fly 402 back and forth to the Bahamas for $30-40 per hour than have to share a crash pad for five years with a bunch of slobs.

Spend your money with a good school (not airline school) and you will get that CFI job without nearly as much heart ache that these vultures will create.

Good luck in your flying career.

Aeronautic,
Thanks for sharing that information. If possible, could or would you mind sharing how you developed the total time to be invited to several regionals without instructing? How much multi did you have prior to applying and how was it earned? 402's to the Bahamas sounds like you have arrived for now. How did you get there if you don't mind sharing. If not I guess I understand.
Thanks,

 

[aeronautic1]

no problem

Lots of rental time... flying for work related services to the Bahamas (I am a corporate yacht captain)... after the magic 1200 hours, hauling freight (500 hours VFR/135) to the Bahamas... had a friend of a friend who is a Lear captain buy a boat but didn't know anything about it and we traded out knowledge which is how I go my first jet seat (who you know, not what you know) and thru that experience met other captains; it just kind of perpetuates itself. Walking resumes into frieght, 135, corp offices... I cannot express how inmportant it is to have a strong resume. Don't get me wrong. Being a CFI is an important rating to have. Quick way to build time if you do not have the money to rent. However, there are less expensive ways to get your instructor ratings than bending over and taking it up the six at the airlines academy. I personally know of two guys who gradutated Embry Riddle and Comair who are waiters at Roadhouse Grill and Outback wondering the same thing as you.

My times are 2500+ total, 1500+ multi of which 1010 are SIC turbojet. CAll Professional Flight Training at FXE. 954-938-3043. However, they are going to be pretty busy cleaning up after Francis. Best of luck.

 

[Jungle_Jet]

As the operator of a 141 school, I can't tell you how frustrated I get from talking to kids who feel that reading ads in a Flying magazine equates to researching their choices.


In my opinion, the DCA program is one of the biggest scams in aviation, and potentially a greater threat to this industry than Gulfstream.

These kids are dropping $10,000+ for their PPL in a 25 year old 172, fighting for time with 250 other wannabees. The instructors they are getting are nothing more than low time kids themselves, who are using their students to rack up time for their "guaranteed interview".

In essence, DCA is charging doouble the going rate in exchange for an "interview" that the prospective student could get on their own if the were so inclined.

Want some other opinons? Talk to Comair guys who are flying with these academy grads. You won't hear many positive responses, that's for sure.

Save your money, go to a local FBO or privately owned 141 school and train with professional/career instructors. Use common sense when reading the price list.

Earn your way into the cockpit, don't buy it by attending "...the only flight school owned by an airline...".

 

[aeronautic1]

reading magazine ads in Flying (etc)....

and showing them to mommie and daddy; "I wanna be an airline pilot, now!!"

Geez!!, these schools are one of the reasons why pilot pay is lower than a missed approach.

Why not go into the military and get FREE aviation training and a gall-darn nice paycheck and benefits to boot? You know what they say about a Navy man in dress whites and gold wings....

Geez!! Use your head, man!!

 

[JediNein]

You know what they say about a Navy man in dress whites and gold wings....

Yeah. *SIGH*

 

[aeronautic1]

Now hear this...

So, I am airlining to Albany to pick up a Citstion and before boarding, I purchase SCUBA DIVING magazine. Right there on page 29 is an ad for Delta Connection Academy. "Dive Exotic Locations," "Dive More," "Dive First Class." It states that pilots work about 15 days per month. Further, it states that being a pilot is a high paying career. Anyone care to input the starting pay of a F/O after being interviewed and hired by Delta Connection? After taxes? Number of actual airline hires to number of graduates?

 

[bobbysamd]

Comair "ad"

So, I am airlining to Albany to pick up a Citstion and before boarding, I purchase SCUBA DIVING magazine. Right there on page 29 is an ad for Delta Connection Academy. "Dive Exotic Locations," "Dive More," "Dive First Class." It states that pilots work about 15 days per month. Further, it states that being a pilot is a high paying career. Anyone care to input the starting pay of a F/O after being interviewed and hired by Delta Connection? After taxes? Number of actual airline hires to number of graduates?

<barf>

 

[jaxpilot]

Im glad the news about DCA is getting out. As Ive said before I went there and then got smart and switched to ATP. Talking with other experienced pilots, pretty much the only thing I hear when the topic comes up about me switching to ATP is "good choice". I wish I would have discovered flightinfo and jetcareers before I went to DCA, but Im glad I did and still had time to get out. Cost me $6,000 for my CFI, II and MEI at ATP. DCA QUOTES $7,500 for JUST the CFI, and I can tell you it takes more than that. All i can ask is that people do their research before committing to a place like DCA/Pan Am.