Bridge Program

[dpewing]

I was wondering if anyone from other FBOs or 141 schools have attended the Bridge Program at DCA. Is this a good way to prepare for an interview, or are there other ways? http://www.deltaconnectionacademy.co...geoutline.html

[FO_SHIZZLE]

I've done it. I think it helps with some things on the interview because it gives some very good insight what will be going on at the airlines (regs, dispatch releases, QRH, etc.). The instructors are really good. Almost all are active or retired pilots from Comair or CHQ. I have not started at the airlines yet but I heard that it helps tons with getting you familiar with the aircraft and some procedures. It is mostly tailored to Comair and to an extent CHQ. I don't know anything about cost but I know it was free for me because it was not started until after I was a student.

[MuscleShirt]

I have heard from many people who are now at airlines that the bridge program was extremely beneficial, especially if where you will be working flies CRJs. Plus, ASAs interview process involves a "sim-ride" in their CRJ simulator. Any kind of prep is great, but like FO-Shizzle said, I don't know what they're charging because I too was grandfathered in.

Keep in mind, however, that the "FTD" at DCA is not loggable, even as FTD time.

[H46Bubba]

Are you sure about that? It's no different than the Multi Frascas(other than it operates a whole lot better.) It won't count for hours, but counts as LOFT training.

[MuscleShirt]

I'm not positive about what it counts for, I was just told that it does not go in their logbooks. I believe the reason for this is that some of the switch panels are cardboard replicas, which would result in that particular FTD not being an accurate working representation of the cockpit. But again, I'm not positive why they can't log it.

[dpewing]

I think the cost of the bridge program is around $6,000 unless you get all of your ratings at DCA. Does anyone think it would be worth the $6,000, or should I take the same amount of money and buy a block of Multi-Engine time?

[FO_SHIZZLE]

[ QUOTE ]
I think the cost of the bridge program is around $6,000 unless you get all of your ratings at DCA. Does anyone think it would be worth the $6,000, or should I take the same amount of money and buy a block of Multi-Engine time?

[/ QUOTE ]

I think the multi time would pad your resume better than the bridge program would. I would assume you would buy the multi time to surpass minimums and get an interview and possibly a job with the airlines. I think the bridge program is more to ease the transition and stress you will feel moving from pistons to jets and to a 121 environment.

Say you did the bridge program and then went back to just "regular" flying and did not land a job for 6 months or so. I think that you would gradually go back to way you used to fly and some of the bridge stuff would wear off or you would forget it and therefore it would become less effective.

Either way you choose, $6,000 is alot of cheese so make sure to spend it wisely. Really though I would not use the bridge unless I was planning on some interviews coming up real soon, it's more aimed toward helping you after you get the job.

This is, of course, my opinion. Some others may feel differently.

[FatBastard]

I agree with Fo. Buy the Multi, then check out ATP for the RJ course. 1day is like around $700.00 while 2 weeks is like $4995.00 Check with them to be sure, though.