RJ Transition Course

[nonstop]

Hey everyone,
Can anyone shed some light on what bridge programs are good. I've heard good things about ATP, but would like some feedback. I also want to know if anyone has taken the Simulation Standards program in Phoenix. I know they are the most affordable, but does that translate into sub par instruction or is it worth it? Anyone who has personally attended this particular training program is encouraged to respond? Any info would be very useful.

On a side not, I'm nor starting this thread to ask whether it's a good idea to complete a bridge program or not, I just want to know which ones are worth wile.


Thx
Nonstop

[meyers9163]

Originally Posted by nonstop

Hey everyone,
Can anyone shed some light on what bridge programs are good. I've heard good things about ATP, but would like some feedback. I also want to know if anyone has taken the Simulation Standards program in Phoenix. I know they are the most affordable, but does that translate into sub par instruction or is it worth it? Anyone who has personally attended this particular training program is encouraged to respond? Any info would be very useful.

On a side not, I'm nor starting this thread to ask whether it's a good idea to complete a bridge program or not, I just want to know which ones are worth wile.


Thx
Nonstop

Perhaps before asking for some help here you could tell us about yourself. Therefore we can get a better understanding of your background and thus preparation for the airlines. In addition anyone about to interview now needs to be on their game as they are going against a lot of 3000 hour pilots who were put on the streets. I know a buddy who interviewed at Comair recently 1000/100 and was the lowest guy by 3000 hours! Right now a different industry and thus different hiring trends.

[granlistillo]

ok with your disclaimer Ive heard the best one is Flight safety in florida but is expensive (goes with some seminole training with profile and callout training).

ATP one is pretty cheap, and was acceptable by some regionals.

Now this may not be the right time to do it, unless you have a conditional offer.
Good luck

[Clocks]

You might want to take a look at who is currently hiring, whether they take RJ courses into account, and whether you're likely to be furloughed a few months later anyways with an additional $8-10k in debt from that RJ course.

[surreal1221]

None of them.

But I'm pretty much done trying to knock some sort of common sense into people so willing to jump further into debt for the possibility of being put out of work 6 months down the road.

[DeltaAVL]

Popcorn, anybody?

[meyers9163]

Originally Posted by DeltaAVL

Popcorn, anybody?

We're going to need it I have a feeling..... Hopefully we can keep it civil but I have a feeling we'll get quite a bit of mod input and or careful watching!

[meyers9163]

Originally Posted by surreal1221

But I'm pretty much done trying to knock some sort of common sense into people so willing to jump further into debt for the possibility of being put out of work 6 months down the road.

You went into debt to get to where you are now right? We always need to look into the mirror before preaching this. Dont take that offensive though man. Just saying we should not tell others "oh no do not look into this because you might be out of work." Fact of the matter is if you never tried then what? You very well could be kicking yourself in the butt for never trying. I do not know which I would regret more.

[surreal1221]

Originally Posted by meyers9163

You went into debt to get to where you are now right? We always need to look into the mirror before preaching this. Dont take that offensive though man. Just saying we should not tell others "oh no do not look into this because you might be out of work." Fact of the matter is if you never tried then what? You very well could be kicking yourself in the butt for never trying. I do not know which I would regret more.

Yes, I did go into debt. Debt that I can afford. I also purchased a house (modest home for a young adult couple), and a new car last year.

Further, I utilized my GI Bill benefits to essentially knock that debt into an extremely manageable level (sub $150 a month). Fortunately for me, that debt provided me my Instrument Airplane, Commercial SEL and MEL, and all three of my instructor certificates. No RJ course. For the rest of my life, I'll see a return on that initial investment for all of the previous certificates stated. For an RJ course? What type of return are you going to see? Being hired at 250 hours only to be let go 6 months down the road? With no other experience to fall back on (CFI/CFII/MEI)? I really don't see how anyone can possibly think these things are a good idea.

I don't care if someone gets into the industry by actually doing it in an honest fashion (instructing, traffic watch, etc), but the moment the "Get their NOW" schemes come into play. . .that's about it for me. You want guidance? Here it is.

Don't do an RJ course.

[MQAAord]

Originally Posted by meyers9163

Hopefully we can keep it civil but I have a feeling we'll get quite a bit of mod input and or careful watching!

Moderator Comment

It will stay civil, or infractions will be issued accordingly, and/or result in thread locking.

I sincerely hope that is not necessary. But yes, it IS being carefully watched.

Bottom line, have a good discussion, please review the rules: ie no personal attacks, be respectful, and remember this is "Doug's Living Room"

[jtrain609]

Originally Posted by nonstop

Hey everyone,
Can anyone shed some light on what bridge programs are good. I've heard good things about ATP, but would like some feedback. I also want to know if anyone has taken the Simulation Standards program in Phoenix. I know they are the most affordable, but does that translate into sub par instruction or is it worth it? Anyone who has personally attended this particular training program is encouraged to respond? Any info would be very useful.

On a side not, I'm nor starting this thread to ask whether it's a good idea to complete a bridge program or not, I just want to know which ones are worth wile.


Thx
Nonstop

Check it out, Holmes,


You don't want to do a bridge program. If you do, you're going to piss away a lot of money to get you a job that...wait...yeah it won't get you a job. It won't help you get a job, and no matter what they've told you about placement, that was 6 months ago and we're in a completely different hiring situation right now.

Eagle's gonna furlough, Mesa's gonna furlough, ExpressJet is gonna furlough. Do you REALLY think your 250 hours (or whatever you have) and a bridge program makes you more competitive than those cats? There's not a freakin' chance bossman.

If I were you, and I'm not, but let's say I was, I'd instruct until I hit 1,200 hours and walk down the street to Amflight over in Burbank and get a job there. Get yourself some quality time that'll take you somewhere after this downturn, and be ready to come out swinging in a few years.

Because that's what you're looking at. You may not accept it right now, but remember this thread when you go through the bridge program, can't find a job and then are sitting there in debt while thinking, "Huh, I didn't think there was any way they could be right..."

Trust me on this one.

[BobDDuck]

Man, Amber... why you got to go spoil everybody's fun?



I know nothing about any of the RJ programs. Personally I wouldn't touch them with a 10 foot pole. That's not what you asked though, so the only input I can give you is that the two guys I've flown with that went through a bridge program (one ATP and I think the other one was through FSI) both said it didn't do crap to help them once they got hired. I think the ATP one got the interview because of the program, but once on board he said it was a waste of his time and money. I don't know if the FSI one helped get an interview or not but similarly said that he was taught more wrong stuff in the program then right stuff to help him through ground school.

EDIT: I'd sort of take offense of Train's "bossman" and "hoss" comments, except he really talks like that.

[kellwolf]

Originally Posted by meyers9163

Perhaps before asking for some help here you could tell us about yourself. Therefore we can get a better understanding of your background and thus preparation for the airlines. In addition anyone about to interview now needs to be on their game as they are going against a lot of 3000 hour pilots who were put on the streets. I know a buddy who interviewed at Comair recently 1000/100 and was the lowest guy by 3000 hours! Right now a different industry and thus different hiring trends.

See, that's the key. It's gonna be different for everyone. That being said, I'm with jtrain. With things going the way they are, in a few months less than 500TT and a bridge program probably won't get you noticed, much less a job. It was only a little over 2 years ago when most regionals wouldn't touch you with less than 1000/100.

[MQAAord]

Yes, that is actually John's "real" voice/language talking there, he really does sound like that!

I really would advise against spending the $ for an RJ transition course. Hiring dynamics have changed, and I do not believe it would be a wise usage of money. The people trying to sell you on one of these courses are salesmen and they are trying to sell you their product. The advice you are getting in this thread is not from salesmen, it's advice from pilots. The above posters have done a good job of saying what needs to be said, in a good way.

[jtrain609]

Hey Steve, hows about you stop being lame and turn on AIM.

[meyers9163]

So using the search function! Amazing function I know! It looks like you have any where from 850-1000TT? Would that be correct?

[meyers9163]

Originally Posted by jtrain609

Hey Steve, hows about you stop being lame and turn on AIM.

He's a Captain now... and an old man! He doesnt have time for that these days ! Where's that darn sarcasm tag!

[jtrain609]

Oh man 1,000 total time!? GO TO AMFLIGHT! If you live in the Los Angeles area there is no better job.

[surreal1221]

Some were asking about some background information and I came across the following.

To be or not to be a CFI. . .

Originally Posted by nonstop

Hey guys. I would like to see some opinions about the current job market and the need to hold a CFI ticket. I'm a 900TT pilot and have decided to make a career change and pursue a career as a pilot. With a Comm./inst. ticket and about to finis me ME. I am pondering whether to get trained as a CFI or not. To be honest I have been doing some research and locally here in the Inland Empire area of socal I am having a very difficult time finding a place to get CFI training. Either FBO's don't do CFI training, or they don't have a complex aircraft, or they don't have CFI's on staff that have been instructing for at least two years, just to mention a few examples. I found one FBO who has a qualified CFI but he is too full to take on another student. At this point, I'm thinking about just putting that money toward about 100 hours of multi and maybe getting some additional instruction to get IFR current. I wanted to get a CFI to get back in the books, but have realized that I have been hitting the books on my own lately. How important is having a CFI ticket when applying for the Regionals. BTW, I'm 42 and time is somewhat of importance. Any opinions on this matter would be great, especially from guys who have pursued an aviation career at my age.

http://forums.jetcareers.com/general...-be-a-cfi.html (To Be or Not to be a "CFI")

[meyers9163]

Originally Posted by surreal1221

Some were asking about some background information and I came across the following.





http://forums.jetcareers.com/general...-be-a-cfi.html (To Be or Not to be a "CFI")

Amazing that search function eh josh?

[phoenix 23684]

Hey I would not do a RJ course if I were in your shoes at present. I think if you apply yourself you'll have little problem making it through initial at a regional, plus unless you have an airline that will guarantee and interview with such course you'll be wasting your money. Also with the RJs at present on their way out it's kind of risky, send resumes and see what happens and/or build more time.
I was hired to fly a Saab so luckily I did not do the ATP RJ course, thought about doing it since I knew little of the industry, used to CFI for them. With trends seeing a return of the prop it may be better to just get hired, besides I hear those Q400 are pretty sweet.

[surreal1221]

Originally Posted by meyers9163

Amazing that search function eh josh?

It is. . .most amazing. Now, if only this subject would be searched on a little more often.

[jtrain609]

Dude the Q400 IS sweet, it's just the latest operator of Q400's doesn't pay enough.

As far as I'm concerned, the Q400 is the most awesome airplane out there. Great avionics with turboprop fun and jet speed? What's not to love!?

Oh right the pay rate and lack of work rules...

[meyers9163]

Originally Posted by jtrain609

Oh right the pay rate and lack of work rules...

Exactly.... I really would be torn.. The Q400 or the E190... Both IMO are sweet planes... back to the thread!

[nonstop]

Hey Guys,
Thanks for all the quick replys. Here's mu situation. I have 855TT, 35 Multi. I'm 43 so trying to get in as soon as I can. I'm haven't committed to doing an RJ transition course but was researching the idea. I attended Flytops job fair a couple of weeks ago and Pinnacle told me they would interview me if I did a bridge program through one of their approved trainers. I'm doing my due-diligence as part of setting up my game plan. I agree the industry hiring trends have changed in the last couple of months. Multi time is also very expensive and difficult to get if you're not working for someone so I'm looking at all the possibilities. The advice I get form you guys that are pilot flying for someone is valuable to me and will be taken into account when I make a final decision. Aside from a few thousand dollars I used to pay for my multi all my ratings are paid for, but believe me I know what you mean (train) about going into debt and then not having a job. Thanks for all the replys and please continue to post, I'd love to read as many opinions as possible. I do want to remind everyone though that the original post was more to get information on a particular training center (Simulation Standards) if anyone has attended and what their experience there was? and whether they got an interview with a regional afterward?