Regional Hiring from ATP

[blakman7]

I don't know if this question has been answered before and if it has, please lead me to the thread but do you all think or know if all of those guys and gals that get hired by the regionals with such low time take the RJ course? All of those LOA's say that you have to take ATP's Regional Jet Standards Course and I was just wondering if all of those people actually take the course or are the regionals just hurting for pilots right now and do some mad hiring? Thanks to all who reply. Happy flying.

[Captain_Bob]

I'd have to say yes they did... unless the LOA specifically did not require the RJ course to be hired at reduced Mins.

If you see guys on there with 700+ hours getting hired... then those are probably guys who didn't take the course.

My opinion.

Bob

[blakman7]

Oh ok, thanks Cap'n for clearing that up and damn that was a quick reply. I was wondering about that. Do you even think that the course is worth taking or do you think it would be better to just instruct for a while and save the little money that you would make as an instructor? And how is the bigger family life treating ya? I saw one of your newly painted jets the other day in BOS. Looking spiffy.

[Captain_Bob]

That's all a matter of opinion and will be a personal decision for you down the road if ATP is the road you take. There will be guys who say take it and get to the 121 gig fast, there's little arguement to the fact that the course does get you an interview faster than normal means. There will be guys who say save the $2500 and justs apply on your own when you get the regular mins. Other's will say instruct for at least 1000 hours and you'll be a better pilot. Other's still will say build the time for 135 mins and get your TPIC that route.

It's really up to you and what you want. The course isn't "pushed" down anybody's throat... It's simply offered at a significant discount. In fact... ATP looses instructors faster when they do take the course causing them to try harder to find more folks to fill in the gaps.

the following statments are facts... People get hired everyday without the course. People get hired just a bit faster with course. Some people love it... some people hate it.

Anyway... you'll do what you feel is right... or worth it to you, when the time comes.

Regarding the bigger family... Man... I couldn't be more blessed! I've been on FMLA since the first of the year and don't go back until April 19th. It's been absolutely wonderful being Mr. Mom and spending this time with family.

Regarding XJT... You probably saw one of our XJT planes that we are using to support JetBlue when you were in Boston. That's been a great opportunity for us... and it is helping get our name out there.

The new bases for the branded flying start up pretty quick... I'll be one of the first flying out of the SAT base starting in May. I'm pretty excited to be a part of the company's new focus. We've got about 3000 finger's crossed in hopes that it works!

Bob

[wayway8]

I think ATP has the course normally priced at $5995. Right now the allatps.com website has a special price of $2000. Does that make it any more appealing to anybody?

[cavu4u]

Just thought I'd throw in my $.02. I was planning on doing the RJ course until I got hired without it. If you want to get hired with less than... oh, let's say 500 hours TT and 100 ME... than you'd probably increase your odds of getting hired by taking the course. If you don't mind instructing for few months and want to build some extra time, you'll have no problem getting hired with 600+ hours without the course (assuming you've got the requisite multi time of course). In a nutshell, it's about that simple. Best of luck to you either route you take!

[fly8slep]

It depends on what airlines you choose. If you're trying to go to Skywest with agreed reduced mins then yes you need it. If you're going for MESA, they're hiring commercial/multi street pilots. It's difficult to say, most pilots that I've talked to say RJ training is a big waste of money and not necessary. I don't like the fact that we have to spend any more additional money, even if it is reduced at 2K.

If it was up to me they should get rid of the Citation flying and offer RJ sim time, that would probably be more beneficial.

[SpiraMirabilis]

Skywest's LOA does not mention the RJ course. Merely be an ATP instructor with a LoR. 850/100.

[Ian J]

Originally Posted by Captain_Bob

That's all a matter of opinion and will be a personal decision for you down the road if ATP is the road you take. There will be guys who say take it and get to the 121 gig fast, there's little arguement to the fact that the course does get you an interview faster than normal means. There will be guys who say save the $2500 and justs apply on your own when you get the regular mins. Other's will say instruct for at least 1000 hours and you'll be a better pilot. Other's still will say build the time for 135 mins and get your TPIC that route.

Bob, you very intelligently and succinctly summed up about 1000 posts of arguing with that one paragraph.

What are you trying to do, shut down JC?

[Stone Cold]

Yeah, but he's a regional guy, so we ignore him and all his posts, duh...oh wait, I'm now out of that argument!!!

[Captain_Bob]

Originally Posted by ChinookDriver

What are you trying to do, shut down JC?

Originally Posted by Stone Cold

Yeah, but he's a regional guy, so we ignore him and all his posts...

Doh!

[Airdale]

Originally Posted by ChinookDriver

Bob, you very intelligently and succinctly summed up about 1000 posts of arguing with that one paragraph.

What are you trying to do, shut down JC?

Yeah, Captain Bob rules.


On the original topic, I was recently hired at Colgan without the RJ course. So no, you can certainly get hired without it. For me, I was flat out tapped out as far as money was concerned, so I couldn't afford the RJ course. I would only do the course if you had the extra cash, because it will cut some time in your path to the Regionals - but, you really don't need the information they provide you, you'll get that in 121 training which I am going through now.

[fly8slep]

Originally Posted by Airdale

you'll get that in 121 training which I am going through now.

Airdale, I'm guessing you're flying the 1900 right. How long is training?

[Murdoughnut]

The posted mins for the RJ course are 450 TT and 100 Multi - how flexible are these. There are folks on their site who have less than 100 multi and have completed the course. If you had less totat time, would they let you enroll?

[OU812]

Airdale,
what were your times?

[Airdale]

Originally Posted by fly8slep

Airdale, I'm guessing you're flying the 1900 right. How long is training?

I actually had a choice between the 1900 and the Saab 340. I chose the 1900. Training is 6 weeks for the Saab and about 5 for the Beech. I start systems class in a few days, indoc is loong!

My times were 450TT 310Multi.

[LoadMasterC141]

Originally Posted by wayway8

I think ATP has the course normally priced at $5995. Right now the allatps.com website has a special price of $2000. Does that make it any more appealing to anybody?

WayWay, the course is discounted for ATP ACPP Grads.
http://www.atpflightschool.com/specials/index.html
People just walking in the door from a local FBO will need to pay the full price.

The posted mins for the RJ Course are now 500TT if you go by the above link. When I toured GKY a few weeks ago, the instructors were saying that the class dates for the RJ course were VERY full. Alot of the instructors had already paid for and been assigned a class date many months in advance.

[blee256]

Originally Posted by fly8slep

It's difficult to say, most pilots that I've talked to say RJ training is a big waste of money and not necessary. I don't like the fact that we have to spend any more additional money, even if it is reduced at 2K.

ATP, capt bob, and others on this board know I am not a big supporter of CRJ transition course, but I have to adamently disagree with whoever told you that "the RJ training is a big waste of money."

I assume it was someone in your newhire class that told you this. Well i hope they realize they are sitting in a Part 121 ground school, learning about flying a 20 million dollar jet, for possibly a major airline (expressjet). ANd I bet they dont have more than 4 or 500 hours in their logbook. IF they hadnt done the course, they would be answering phones or filling out 8710s for their students. Whether the actual CRJ training course gave them edge or not, i have no idea. But to say its not worth it, yet its the very reason that got them the interview is bit ridiculous.

[Airdale]

Originally Posted by blee256

ATP, capt bob, and others on this board know I am not a big supporter of CRJ transition course, but I have to adamently disagree with whoever told you that "the RJ training is a big waste of money."

I assume it was someone in your newhire class that told you this. Well i hope they realize they are sitting in a Part 121 ground school............

Fly8slep isn't in 121 ground school. He's a 90 day career pilot that starts in RAL on the 2nd of April.

The RJ course is definitely a valuable program, but its not necessarily "required" or "needed" to get hired. It will get you on with less time and it will prepare you for 121 ground/sim training. Whether or not its "worth" the money depends on what your goals and/or plans are. 121 ground school is not that hard to get through. It requires a lot of studying, a lot of attention in class and certainly the ability to quickly grasp a lot of information, but you can accomplish it without a specialized RJ course.

[Captain_Bob]

Shouldn't you be studying right now...

[SIUav8er]

Originally Posted by fly8slep

If it was up to me they should get rid of the Citation flying and offer RJ sim time, that would probably be more beneficial.

thats cause you dont own a Citation that is completely paid for by your company due to the "training" you give in the thing while using it for your personal flying.

[Airdale]

Originally Posted by Captain_Bob

Shouldn't you be studying right now...

Ahhh.....just finished the first test yesterday, passed with a Captain score too. Got a few days off now, but company won't let us "leave" Houston. I'll be in HEF next week to start systems. Oh yeah!!

[Captain_Bob]

Nice!!

[ryanmickG]

INSTRUCT!!

Contrary to what people might tell you, you will become a better more confident pilot after a few hudred hours of flight instruction under your belt.