RJ Standards Courses: Pros & Cons.

[junior]

What do you all think of the RJ Standards Course?

I'm asking because I have th option of going through a replica program here in Denver for $5,000 which includes 30 hrs. in a CRJ 200 FTD, 50 hrs. ground, and interview prep. With interviews at a few select regionals upon completion, very similar to ATP's program.

So, for those of you who have done the program what do you think? Pros vs. Cons. (an obvious con is $5000)

[UND_Flyer]

Personally, I don't really know what to think about any RJ program and I haven't decided if I'm going to do it or not.... probably not! Yes, it does give you exposure to FMS systems and that stuff, and yes you might get on with one of the regional's if you do the program. I think it's a waste of money! What if you don't have any intentions of going to ExpressJet, PSA or whatever. That's just my opinion.

[bike21]

E...is that from the dudes over at Atlas? I dunno about that program, I mean you got a good amount of glass time now right? You've seen your fellow McAir folks go off to jobs w/o spending that kind of cash. While I think it might be interesting and fun, not sure its with the cash. Lets go have a drink and i'll give you all my stuff for free!

And when did they start offering interviews upon completion? I don't see that anywhere on their site.

[BobDDuck]

Junior, as far as getting the FMS/Glass time, it really isn't all that important before going into an 121 ground school. They will teach you what you need to know and you will have plenty of time to practice it. If you already have some glass scan experience you are good to go. I had about an hour in a CRJ FTD before I interviewed and the sim went just fine. Learning all the systems and what not could make indoc/systems easier where ever you end up, but that is only if the company flies CRJs. The ERJ is a mostly different bird.

[EDUC8-or]

My sim partner did the ATP program. I had over twice the total time, but he definitely did better in the sim and in systems. I think the CRJ background really helped him out.

If I could go back I wouldn't change a thing. I had some all glass experience in a G-1000 equipped 182 which helped a little, but the scan comes along quickly.

If you have the money to spend and want to get on somewhere with reduced minimums, go for it! About half of my class had around 600TT.

[aloft]

Half your class where? XJT?

[junior]

Thanks for all your replies. I have decided that the program is not for me and that I will just wait it out. I think it was a desperation act because I'm just burnt out from instruction and the pay is not guaranteed. I figure good things come to those who wait.

Bike, yeah lets get a beer sometime and feb. is rolling around so we need to do some snowboarding (let me know when your schedule opens up). Also, when spring time hits we should go to the beach at A-Basin.

E

[sorrygottarunway]

A little observation I made while training down at FSI in Houston. The XJT folks have some gorgeous procedures trainers upstairs, that are most likely what you'll find in any $5000 course. They actually have about 5 Cockpit Procedures Trainers in a room, with flatscreen, that actually work (light up, show values, respond to inputs) and from what I've seen, are very good trainers. In the back they have a bank of about 15 computers for you to practice the FMS. Definitely a good choice to save the cash and wait until you are hired. Especially if you come to colgan, where we don't have to deal with any of that fancy stuff

[junior]

sorrygottarunway,
want to walk in my resume jk
I've done the airapps thing and sent my resume to chuck & cathy. still no response. just keeping my fingers crossed and building my time.

[BobDDuck]

Originally Posted by sorrygottarunway

They actually have about 5 Cockpit Procedures Trainers in a room, with flatscreen, that actually work (light up, show values, respond to inputs)

I had those in training as well. They are neat in theory and good for seeing the results of button pushing with things like fire tests and what not, but it itsn't possible to touch two things at once and the touch sensativity was always getting off. You would reach to shutdown one engine after a flame out and you would end up shutting down the other one.

Junior, hold out man. You'll get a call back sooner then later. If you get hired at a place that flies CRJs and you feel like you can spend the money and you want to come in WAY over prepared, then think about doing the program.

[sorrygottarunway]

Originally Posted by junior

sorrygottarunway,
want to walk in my resume jk
I've done the airapps thing and sent my resume to chuck & cathy. still no response. just keeping my fingers crossed and building my time.

I would recommend going to one of their career fairs. I was totally not expecting to get hired by them with just over 1000TT/200ME, and have my whole life change for the better in one week, but they work in mysterious ways... dare I say, swedish ways. At the career fairs you can meet Chuck personally, as well as Cathy, and maybe Jeb Barrett. Make sure to shake hands with all of them if you do, they play a great role in the interview process.

[Tram]

Wow.. XJT has the diggity.. All I got were some paper cockpit layouts - that I had to take to Kinko's and xerox myself..

[blee256]

The only thing the RJ standardization programs are good for are the "guarenteed" interviews. Without them, no one would sign up. If you cant instruct any longer or dont want to build time anymore, its about the best shortcut you can get. But again, the course means nothing without the dangling carrot for an airline interview.

[UND_Flyer]

Originally Posted by blee256

The only thing the RJ standardization programs are good for are the "guarenteed" interviews. Without them, no one would sign up. If you cant instruct any longer or dont want to build time anymore, its about the best shortcut you can get. But again, the course means nothing without the dangling carrot for an airline interview.

I agree. We have a CRJ course here at UND and it's around $3,000 dollars, and we don't have any agreements with any airlines for people taking the CRJ course. I still think it is a waste of money. Since 2003, UND requires all Commercial Aviation majors to take the RJ course, which is just another way for the University to make more money

[robair73]

Bottom Line - - - Buy a fancy hooker, you'll get all the experience you need!

Biggest waste of cash with those airline prep courses. Friggin lame. I'm so dissapointed in ATP these days.

[Timbuff10]

Originally Posted by blee256

The only thing the RJ standardization programs are good for are the "guarenteed" interviews.

You would think they would hook you up with an interview after going through their program and dropping all that cash on them. Are they still pushing their instructors on the airlines or do they only do that if you buy the RJ course as an instructor?