Some questions regarding check rides....

[rabbit]

Hey All!

I was wondering if I could get some of your input for a human factors project I'm working on....

Specifically, I'm interested in the way today's airline pilots approach their initial, recurrent and upgrade check rides. If interested, I'd appreciate your insights into the following questions:

1. How much preparation time (in hours) do you put into your recurrent checks?
2. If you feel anxiety or fear before your checks, how would you rate this on a scale from 1-10 with 10 being the worst?
3. Do you feel that your self-study has left you well prepared for your check? (yes/no)
4. Do you fear failing your check rides? (yes/no)

Feel free to answer any/all questions that speak to you. If you would rather PM me than reply directly to this thread, that is fine as well. All information is strictly confidential. If you could include a ball park of your experience (TT/type/major/regional) it would also be very helpful.


Many thanks for all the help! My project is only as good as the information I receive, so please help out if you have a few minutes to spare.


All the best,


rabbit

 

[waveflyer]

1-5
2-2
3-yes
4-no

Know everything and don't f^ck up
Still applies
Admittedly, check ride preps get less time consuming after 8+ years in the same type

 

[rabbit]

Hi waveflyer,

Many thanks for your response...your time and input is much appreciated and greatly helps our research.

Come on guys.....can you please help me out with some more responses? The quality of research is only as good as real information.

We all know that checkrides are stressful...your input could go a long way to developing new models of checking!

PM if you want to be anonymous.

Many thanks in advance!

rabbit

 

[rjacobs]

AQP=impossible to "fail" without "failing" so many times in so spectacular a fashion that you actually get fired. I am not sure if an "unsat" even goes in your training file(depends on how your AQP program is worded as I understand it). Unsat, again as I understand it, is as close to a "failure" as you can get under AQP. Other options are ATR(additional training required) and Incomplete(didnt complete the maneuver or event because of something out of anybodies control i.e. the sim broke).

A true "checkride" or "proficiency check" in the airline world is become more and more rare as everybody transitions to AQP for all aspects of pilot training.

 

[kf4amu]

AQP=impossible to "fail" without "failing" so many times in so spectacular a fashion that you actually get fired. I am not sure if an "unsat" even goes in your training file(depends on how your AQP program is worded as I understand it). Unsat, again as I understand it, is as close to a "failure" as you can get under AQP. Other options are ATR(additional training required) and Incomplete(didnt complete the maneuver or event because of something out of anybodies control i.e. the sim broke).

A true "checkride" or "proficiency check" in the airline world is become more and more rare as everybody transitions to AQP for all aspects of pilot training.

AQP at my airline has all of those failures you said don't exist. UNSAT absolutely goes in your training file which all future airlines see. Scores of all tests and every single training evolution is on there. Also you can absolutely be disqualified from line flying through AQP checkrides. The firing process is subject to the union CBA as far as retraining, but don't think AQP gives anyone a pass or prevents true failures.

 

[rabbit]

Thanks to all who have responded thus far.

Keep the responses coming!

I'm interested in hearing from anyone who has ever taken a recurrent, initial or upgrade check.

How do you feel walking in to the sim?

As for myself, I was always pretty anxious, even though I was usually very well prepared...the nerves were always there.

Thanks again and please keep the replies coming.

Best,

rabbit

 

[General Lee]

1-5
2-2
3-yes
4-no

Know everything and don't f^ck up
Still applies
Admittedly, check ride preps get less time consuming after 8+ years in the same type

Wait until you're 30 years in type......zzzzzzz



Bye Bye---General Lee

 

[SpauldingSmails]

1- About 8-12 hours.
2- 4
3- Yes
4- No

There's only two variables beyond my control that I sweat for training - A rogue evaluator, and the dumpster fire sim partner. Luckily, neither has ever pulled me down - but a hot mess sim partner sure can make for an awkward day, lemme tell ya.

 

[N1atEcon]

1-9
2-2
3-yes
4-no

 

[DCAA320]

1. Lot's when crossing the Atlantic but that's light study, 3-4 hard studying

2. 1 (AQP/CQT or whatever they call it)

3. Yes

4. No

At my airline you have the scenarios and emergencies (abnormals) ahead of time and the 757 flies single engine as well as some Airbus fly with two engines.

No surprises.

 

[jonjuan]

1. 2
2. 8
3. No
4. Yes

 

[Nindiri]

1. 2
2. 2
3. yes
4. no


I have to say, Southwest does this whole checkride business right. The examiners are professional and friendly, the orals are relaxed, and the sim ride is a non-event.

 

[SWA Bubba]

1. 5
2. 3
3. Yes, unquestionably.
4. No.

It seems that, in general, pilots make a bigger deal than is necessary. They tend to worry about checkrides, study a lot, and then when it's over, they note that it was easier than they expected. Every single time. However, it is the nature of the beast, and it is unquestionably better to be over-prepared than under-prepared. You can't know too much, right?

On another note, I see the General added his usual, helpful response. Anyone mention anything having to do with Southwest or the 737, and he whips his dick out, instead of actually answering the question. Thanks again, General!

Bubba

 

[General Lee]

1. 5
2. 3
3. Yes, unquestionably.
4. No.

It seems that, in general, pilots make a bigger deal than is necessary. They tend to worry about checkrides, study a lot, and then when it's over, they note that it was easier than they expected. Every single time. However, it is the nature of the beast, and it is unquestionably better to be over-prepared than under-prepared. You can't know too much, right?

On another note, I see the General added his usual, helpful response. Anyone mention anything having to do with Southwest or the 737, and he whips his dick out, instead of actually answering the question. Thanks again, General!

Bubba

Oh come on now! It was a truthful jab. 30 years on the same plane must be interesting during recurrent check rides. That was my point with the zzzzzz's. Probably very little study needed after 30 years. Orrrrrrrr, you can take it the wrong way and cry, Bubba.....



Bye Bye---General Lee

 

[Carl S.]

AQP has made the whole training pipeline a joke with almost to the letter scripted scenarios and cookie cutter check rides.

 

[Tail Gunner Joe]

AQP has made the whole training pipeline a joke with almost to the letter scripted scenarios and cookie cutter check rides.

You sound like a "screamer"

 

[Captzaahlie]

^^^^^^^lol^^^^^^^^^^

(I've always loved a "screamer", but maybe not so much in the sim......)

 

[get2flyin]

AQP has made the whole training pipeline a joke with almost to the letter scripted scenarios and cookie cutter check rides.

Recurrent:
Yeah, AQP is a total joke. It seems all the training department worries about is the CRM aspect, not your flying ability. "Yes, you lost control on the V1 cut and crashed but you identified the fact you were out of your comfort zone to the PNF as it was happening so nice team work." WTF is that? It's so scripted that you almost have to want to fail but I'm a product of the "if you fail your fired" system of training/checking so...

1. Probably at least 10
2. 5 - Not for fear of getting fired, I just don't want to look like a moron.
3. Yes
4. In no way, shape or form.

(12000/6500/Major/11 years with company spent on the same type)

Best of luck.

 

[LearLove]

^^^^^^^lol^^^^^^^^^^

(I've always loved a "screamer", but maybe not so much in the sim......)

What about a "squeaker"? One of my fraternity brothers dated this girl that had the house nickname "the squeaker". It was the funniest thing to hear about 3am.