Pilot min. qualifications @ Comair???

[CFINY]

Hi all,

I was wondering if will be possible to get an interview with Comair, if I don't have ATP written, nor FCC permit at this time???

Thank you.

P.S. Do you think that will be much better to get ATP wtitten, and FCC permit first, and than apply, or apply now, and see what happen???

 

[Publishers]

lear time

my answer would be that it depends on your Lear time

 

[CFINY]

Lear time...

About 155 hrs. of Lear 24/25.

Thx.

 

[Treme]

Wasn't there a thread here a few months ago that said that current competitive mins were >3000TT and prior part 121 experience?

I'll see if I can find it.

 

[Treme]

here's some stuff

Here's a few messages I found doing a search on minimum qualifications at Comair:

NEDUDE writes, "I have a friend in Comair GS right now. He has talked with the recruiter several times about what it would take for some of his friends. He was told that without previous 121 time it would take "in excess of 3000TT" to be seriously looked at. Previous 121 time, with a recomendation of an employee, could get you an interview at the minimums. Basically with so many guys on furlough and them being one of the few currently hiring, they have a wealth of 121 experienced guys available to pick from."


AMERIAGLE writes, "I have recently interviewed with Comair....still waiting for my letter. I interviewed with 2800 TT, 1500 multi, and 1000 turbine. I was probably on the low side of average for the group I interviewed with. Most had 121 experience with the exception of a few 135 folks and a couple from the military. I was amazed at how the demographic's have changed from the first time I interviewed with a 121 carrier two years ago!"


OTTO-PILOT writes, "A friend of mine started class in December and had the following class-breakdown.

16 pilots
Ages 22 - 45
Flight Time 3500 - 9500 (not including CA Academy)

5 Comair Academy (all apprx. 1200-1500 TT)
4 Major Airline (B737, DC9, A320)
3 Regional Airline (Turboprop 2 Captains, 1 F/O)(Dash 8, J31, SF340)
2 Military (Apache Helicopter and F15)
2 FAR Part 135 (Citation and Kingair)"


AIRPIRATEROB writes, "To put it this way about getting an interview, at 3000 hours and 1000 typed-turbine-pic-multi it took them 6 months to call me. i knew not a single person there.
add to that i was 135 and there was still no guarantee to be hired even with that. its all in what you do there."


CAPTSPONGEBOB writes, "I was at the DCA AirInc job fair and the Comair recruiter told me the competative mins were now at around 3000TT. (ouch!)"


HOVERNUT writes, "I'll have to agree with Publishers. Us CAA guys in my class are the only "lowtimers" with 1025 to 1400, and multi from 120 to 375.

Everyone else has either 121, 135, or military time. The 135 guys flew turboprops hauling checks/cargo and they have 2200 to 3000 hours. The 121 guys flew anything from J32 (Corporate Express), Saab, ATR, and ERJ (Eagle, COEX), and 727 (Express One...Tango Uniform). And the military fella flew lots of choppers and King Airs. Class averages run 2200 to just over 4000."

CHECKS writes, "I got the same call Friday afternoon. I sent my resume in from March until July without a peep from them. I have about 3000hrs and 1100ME."

Hope that helps!

 

[PositiveRate]

You're times look a bit low, but the lear time is a major plus. Remember, the answer is always no unless you send a resume in. You might want to try the next Air Inc. fair or if you know anyone here, get them to walk in your stuff. It's competitive, but not impossible. I know a few guys (myslef included) who got hired around 1400TT with a very small amount of 121 time (<100).

 

[Treme]

True enough. You cant get hired nomatter how much time you have if you dont fill out an application.

Good luck!

 

[airmedplt]

Does the Lear 45 time in FS2002 count?

 

[Foobar]

Or, surrender you certificates, buy them back via the Comair Academy and viola! You are a Comair pilot. I would do it but I wasn’t born rich. Shux!

 

[kepjet]

Foobar,

Go F*ck yourself.

 

[VFR on Top]

Or, surrender you certificates, buy them back via the Comair Academy and viola! You are a Comair pilot.

So bitter at such a young age....tragic.

 

[Foobar]

Fellas, I'm not bitter at all. If I had to start over, I'd take the same route. Why are you guys so angry?

Its not just Comair, you can (or could if they were hiring) buy one with ASA via Flight Safety. Then there is the regional airline training academy. I think Mesa has a flight school where you can purchase a job as well. It is what it is and I'm not mad.

And yes its buying a job. If you pay $60,000.00 for all your ratings instead of $25,000.00 Then you've paid for the job. Some people can afford it, others take out loans and do it. I think its a crummy deal so I'm not paying.

So why is it you are mad at me for pointing that out?

 

[172driver]

First of all, I'd like to say that anyone who has come through the academy and is now working at the airline probably spent closer to $30,000 than $60,000. Students who started since the price increases have not flowed through yet. Since your profile says you are already a CFI, I assume you coulda done it for around $30K too.

Second, I'd like to point out that those students are paying for a service, not an airline job. They are paying for guaranteed quality instruction, standardization, the chance to instruct in a twin, thorough ground schooling, a proven curriculum, fast pace, the ability to borrow money/use VA benefits, immersion in aviation, Delta travel benefits for themselves and their families, and guaranteed connections in the industry. The prices and the benefits are the same at any large academy type flight school. They are NOT buying a job. How many of the above do you receive for your $25-30,000 at the typical FBO?

If they are able to keep up with the demands of all of the above, they will probably be hired as a CFI. At the end of that road, there will be a shot at an airline interview. Their chances in that interview are the same as anyone else. They will be asked the same questions about 121 regs and operations, turbine aircraft systems, HR, etc. as any other applicant. They must be equally prepared with less experience.

I have trained at 61 schools and at the academy, big airports and small. Received fantastic instruction both places but it was hit and miss in the 61 world, not much ground time, not much structure. Enjoyed both experiences. Flying was more fun in the 61 environment. However, I was much better prepared for professional aviation by the academy environment. I fly the jet and make decisions as well as any other FO on the line. That's why the airlines continue to hire academy CFI's. They wouldn't do it if it wasn't working for them.

Foobar,
Did I pay for a job? I don't think so. If anything, I paid for an interview, which still had to be earned. By making that suggestion, you are undercutting everything I, and the other academy people, worked hard for. This job was not given to me on a silver platter when I signed over my loan check. My parents are not rich. I bet I paid about the same amount as you for my ratings and made much less as a CFI. If I chose the quicker route to achieve my goal, I guess that's too bad for you. Research it a little better next time.

Bottom line is... I'm as qualified as the next guy, didn't undercut anyone or PFT, paid my dues, worked hard...and I love my job! I understand your resentment and I'm sure I'd feel the same way if I were still slogging around in a Cessna. Sorry you think it's a crummy deal but maybe I'll see ya in my right seat someday. I think making CFI wages for the next five years is a crummier deal than what I've got going on...

 

[Foobar]

You are defensive. But look how it appears. You paid more for instruction at Comair and in return you got all of the stuff you talked about including a job. Nobody said you didn't do any work. Nobody said you were evil or attacked you. Nobody said you were a lousy pilot. There are good ones and bad ones everywhere. You paid more for training at the Comair school. You get an interview that you would not get otherwise. Thus you paid money to get that job. Like I said, it is what it is. I'm not mad about it. I could have taken out a loan and gone to Comair and followed the same route. I had a full time job and a wife to support so it wasn't going to happen for me. Don't put up the pretense that you are taking the same route as the guy who learns to fly at an FBO, hauls freight, works the crappy 135 job, then goes to Comair. You paid some money to skip that. Its not a big deal, why deny it? Smile and say I got the job, its mine. nwahahahaha

 

[DAL737FO]

172driver,

I don't have a dog in this hunt, however I do see Foobar's point. Early in the thread Hovernut posted:

HOVERNUT writes, "I'll have to agree with Publishers. Us CAA guys in my class are the only "lowtimers" with 1025 to 1400, and multi from 120 to 375.

Everyone else has either 121, 135, or military time. The 135 guys flew turboprops hauling checks/cargo and they have 2200 to 3000 hours. The 121 guys flew anything from J32 (Corporate Express), Saab, ATR, and ERJ (Eagle, COEX), and 727 (Express One...Tango Uniform). And the military fella flew lots of choppers and King Airs. Class averages run 2200 to just over 4000."

So it would appear that by paying to go to the Delta Connection Academy you get into a job in only half the time of other candidates more qualified. (i.e. an ATP certificate, type ratings, turbine time, multi time) Don't get me wrong, you may be the next Chuck Yeager but the Academy does use placement at some of the regionals as a selling point.

GII/GIII FO

 

[birdwatchin]

DAL737FO, you're not wrong that academies use airline connections as selling points. I think the issue taken with Foobar's posts is that he implies that academy grad's don't deserve the job they were hired for. I take nothing away from those more seasoned pilots you mentioned, but I don't think any jobs were taken from them by academy grad's. Comair has hired a lot of pilots this year - far more than the academy could possibly put out. Here's the issue, observe...

Originally posted by Foobar
Or, surrender you certificates, buy them back via the Comair Academy and viola! You are a Comair pilot.

and later...

And yes its buying a job. If you pay $60,000.00 for all your ratings instead of $25,000.00 Then you've paid for the job.

Foobar, if you imply that someone "bought their job," you may or may not know it, but you've insulted them. Refer to 172driver's post, academy grad's do work and do prove themselves worthy of the job. It wasn't served up to them with side salad.

So, you get responses to your very obvious dig at the academy, and also of Comair, suggesting they hire someone who is less than yourself, a person who "earned" it, well - not yet though, right? Look, I respect that you have a family and need to make $$. That's great. But you did throw an obvious insult out there... and there are quite a lot of academy grad's out there - from all of the schools - that wouldn't appreciate the sentiment that they don't deserve what they've accomplished.

Originally posted by Foobar
Don't put up the pretense that you are taking the same route as the guy who learns to fly at an FBO, hauls freight, works the crappy 135 job, then goes to Comair.

Foobar, you try to placate with "don't be defensive" lines and then continue to rip academy grad's. Just remember to lose that attitude before you interview - because the Captain your interviewing with or sitting next to as FO might just be one of those academy grad's you hold in contempt (don't try to deny that contempt bud, it's very apparent from your first post on this thread). Nobody is "putting up a pretense" except you - and that seems be that you deserve it more. However you get there, you're on equal footing with that other guy when you get through IOE. No better off, no worse. Your training will be the same if you come in from DAL, the academy, or the local FBO.

Another point worth mentioning is that academy grad's work at other airlines besides CMR. Take note that one of the first, and very short, replies to Foobar was from an ERJ pilot. Also, not all "academy pilots" out there come out of DCA (Foobar even mentioned this in a post).

There is one thing that you get from an academy that you can't "buy" there or anywhere... a legacy of friends that will always help you along the way. Even if you don't know them, when you meet another academy grad, you have a connection to them and that's a good start at building a friendship.

 

[Foobar]

Ok guys, you spent extra money on your flight training just because the recent graduate 250 hour CFI's at Comair are way better than the 250 hour recent CFI's at your local FBO.

It had nothing to do with buying a job / interview / contacts / friends / whatever the heck you want to call it.

You guys are swimming in da river called da nile.

For the record, I don't have a chip or look down on someone for taking the Comair, Flight Safety Gulfstream, Pan Am Academy, what ever route. Its dues paid in cash instead of dues paid in time. Its just a trade and I honestly don't have a problem with it. I'm sorry I brought it up.

In fact when my students ask me about those schools I tell them, if you have cash but don't have time, go there. If you want to take a loan and move quickly go to one of those schools. If you have some time, want to go slow and not take on debt. Stay at the FBO. Quality of instruction between the two places depends on the instructor you happen to get and what you put into it.

 

[Caveman]

All of the Comair Academy people that have interviewed in the last two years were all enrolled in the program before 9/11. That means that when they ponied up the money to go there they knew that they could have gone the FBO route and still gotten an interview with 1500/300. Just because they chose a school that was airline oriented doesn't mean they were cutting corners. If anything they were showing a commitment to get the best aviation education their money could buy. As it turns out it was also a blessing in disguise. The added bonus of having a guaranteed interview is now a godsend. At the time it wasn't considered worth much because they would have gotten the interviews regardless. Two years ago anyone with 1500/300 could get an interview at most regionals. Don't blame them because they happened to be at the right place at the right time.

BTW, I'm not a Comair Academy grad but I do fly with them all the time. They seem to be a fine bunch of talented professionals for the most part. I personally know 172Driver and he is not some young punk that paid for a job. He paid a premium price for excellent instruction that also gave him the opportunity to COMPETE for a great job. He earned his opportunity and he made good use of the chance.

 

[skiddriver]

I think that these anti-ComairAcadamy posts are misguided. My new-hire class had 4 folks from other airlines, 1 retired RW/FW military retired guy [me], 1 corporate guy, and 3 flight instructors. Two CFI's were CA flight instructors - a former cop who wanted to make a career change, and a guy who worked his butt off at an FBO fueling and deicing to pay his way. The other guy was from a Pt 141 school in the midwest. All three of the flight instructors breezed through the training program, and all of us are online and finished up our probationary year without any problems.

If you have the requisite credentials, can get and pass an interview, and make it through training - it doesn't matter where you got your time. If you don't feel like going through Comair Academy, why don't you try flying 22 years in the military? It worked for me, and no one will post nasty things about you in this forum.