MAPD v. P-F-T
bennionjd said:
On a different thread, you were pretty serious about the evils of PFTing. Isn't Mesa's program essentially PFTing? If not, what's the difference? (I'm not trying to start anything, I genuinely want to know.)
Nor am I necessarily wanting to continue anything. But the question has been raised.
P-F-T is an employment issue. The primary test is whether the employer requires the employee to pay it for employee's training as a condition of hire. That's all. A secondary test is whether the training is esoteric to the company and does not lead to a certificate, rating or other credential that is universally accepted and can be marketed outside the company.
Another determinant would be quals. If the entity in question requires that you already have a Commercial-Multi-Instrument, then it is surely P-F-T. Some P-F-T outfits have schools that will train you for your ratings. The school aspect is still separate and apart from the P-F-T side of the house.
By contrast,
MAPD and, for that matter, Comair, nka
Delta Connection Academy, are flight schools. True, graduating from either might lead to interviews with Mesa or Comair, but their primary purpose is to train you to fly. The Commercial-Instrument-Single Multi and degree you earn at Mesa, and the Commercial-Instrument-Single-Multi-CFI that you earn at Comair, can be marketed anywhere. Should you not get "the interview" at Mesa or Comair, you still have these credentials.
Neither MAPD or Comair is hiring you at the time you sign up for training. You are only signing up for flight school. That point, in and of itself, should negate any P-F-T question for either school.
Once more, P-F-T is an employment issue, only.
Hope that helps.
