Go to DCA type academy, Delta WILL hire you!

Re: Finally....a DCA apologist speaks up

Whining? Who's whining?

G

Re: Finally....a DCA apologist speaks up

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Regardless of what you think... as a marketing strategy this is pretty smart...

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and deceitful too.

Fabio

"Now it is nice to see you all hidding in this little corner... so you can all whine about DCA amongst yourselves!"

How do you figure being at the general fourm is hiding? Just cause it took you a week to find this thread doesn't mean were hiding.

"See you back at the flight trainig topcis where this thread belongs in the first place"

It sounds like you don't want the "general public" at JC to know there are a lot of anti-DCA folks around.

What cracks me up about the coveted "guaranteed interview" is that by the time a guy fullfills his 800 hour instructing obligation to the academy, they have the stats to get hired without the interview guarantee. 1000/200 isn't bad in this day and age. Chataqua and XJT, for sure, hire with those times. Probably some others, too.

I don't like the idea of 300 hour pilots in the right seat of a jet airliner. If your 757 guy had 1000/200, well, with a lot of training I suppose he could do it. Not that much difference between a 757 and an RJ when it comes down to it.

Re: Fabio

Oh goody, I've been off the forums for a weeks and DCA has made it to the general thread! The battle rages on I guess between the DCA marketing "haters" and the instructors. I usully sit back and watch but, I have to give my $.02.
I for one was not "blinded by the adds and the "numbers". I did my homework not once but twice. I could care less about the "guaranteed interview", but it is there if I want to use it when I'm done. I chose DCA for the training. I knew going in that it would be expensive, but I'm getting what I'm paying for. Though I did laugh when I saw the "pushback" on the 172 checklist for the first time. I like a lot of student at DCA are veterans and chose DCA because we like the "structured" learning. We also have an advantage over regular students because we have the VA benefits to help cover a big chunk of the costs, so we don't have to go get the big money loans.
A lot of students don't do their homework and get sucked up in the marketing hype. That's their dumba$$ fault. There are many avenues out there to get to the right seat. They just don't see them, because they see the "widget" all over the adds.
I've been here for over a year now. I've gone from the regular full time program to the new flex program. People have come and gone. I've seen people leave for various reasons. Some run out of money, others, came and got the training they wanted and went elsewhere. There are those who decided DCA wasn't where they wanted to be. Then there are the instructors that have completed their 800 Hrs of Dual and get their interviews and go on to the regionals.
I'n still not full sure of the whole "jet connect" thing. Though I know that it is helping some DCA students who want to go instruct at the "jet connect" FBO's. They get paid better and get their hours quicker, so they can return to get their MEI, instruct MEI at DCA and get the bridge course and interview.

I'm not here to defend DCA. I'm here to stop being ridiculed because Im a DCA student and I chose to come here vs. doing part 61 training or 141 training elsewhere. I have not once opened my mounth and ridiculed any other JC members for they type of training they're participating in, unless it's TAB or Gulfstream. Everyone has their own method of training that they like in order to get them to the regionals. DCA works for me and other who chose to come here. DCA is also not for everyone. I tell people who PM me asking about DCA, to see past the glossy adds. I also tell them to do their homework and check all other avenues that might be right for them. If DCA is it, come on down! If not good luck with whatever method they choose. I love this website. I've gotten to know a lot of JC' rs and met some face to face. Doug has an awesome website that allows us all to come here and b.s. with one another and learn about the ups and downs of the profession. I'm thankful that Doug has allowed the DCA forum to exist. So those lurkers out there can see DCA beyond the tours and the glossy adds.

Re: Fabio

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I'm here to stop being ridiculed because Im a DCA student and I chose to come here

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Who's ridiculing YOU personally?

Re: Finally....a DCA apologist speaks up

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Yes we train Chinese Nationals for a couple of Chinese Airlines.... got offered a job to fly a 757 in China.... right from our instructor rank! Now, I know what you think about this 727... but the offer was made!

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Yeah.........scary stuff man.

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Then they turn around and say, "hey...what's a class B airport like?"


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It was big, busy, windy, and Fedex dominated. Pictures to come as soon as I stop flying around the country.

I'm sorry if I put it in the perspective that everyone was personally attacking me. I just happened to take it that way even though it was not directed solely at me. I hate the marketing as much as anyone else, and I'm glad that there is debate about it, but..... These heated debates about marketing and what DCA management is doing, spills into posts against students that choose to attend DCA or one of its satellite facilities. There are a lot of good people who chose to attend DCA, there are also some undesirable ones, just like everywhere else. I like to keep things fair. I think I'm one of the only students that posts. The rest are either lurkers or instructors. I'm usually quiet or post about how my trainings going, or maybe if some is inquiring about DCA. I just don't think its honest to make general statements about all students, when it should be against a bunch of mis-informed students who chose not to check out all their options before laying down the big bucks for DCA.

I agree with what you said, however, a couple things you need to keep in mind; life isn't fair, and it's obvious that no one is talking to you directly. Don't take it personally.

Good advice well taken!

CH46Bubba

"I'm thankful that Doug has allowed the DCA forum to exist. So those lurkers out there can see DCA beyond the tours and the glossy adds"

I am too. My sole purpose as a DCA antagonist is to refute the ads. You think people who believe them are stupid and should know better. I guess I'm old school but I find them dishonest and lacking in integrity. It's not just DCA but several others...some are even worse. The article that started this thread has a quote from someone who bought it hook, line, and sinker. You think it's "her dumba$$ fault"...I think she was mislead.

"We also have an advantage over regular students because we have the VA benefits to help cover a big chunk of the costs"

That's a huge advantage for the big 141 schools. As much as I don't like the place (cause of the ads), I'd actually recommend DCA to someone who has VA benes.

"I hate the marketing as much as anyone else"

I hope saying that doesn't get you in trouble.....

Re: CH46Bubba

Somebody correct me if I'm worng, but aren't the VA benefits good for ANY 141 program beyond the private? And if so, there are lots of options other than a big academy to get 141 training. There's and FBO/141 school right here in Portland that is FAR less expensive than the big academies. You don't need to pay a premium for the "Airline connection" or for the chance to network, or use someone elses network. Networking can be done for free, free, free at your local airport or anywhere pilots hang out.

Re: CH46Bubba

Sounds like you know more about it than I do. I thought the VA had to approve the schools that vets could use there benefits at.

Re: CH46Bubba

Ari-Ben is part 141/VA approved and it is cheaper than and certainly wouldn't be considered a "big academy."

My problem with DCA

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"I'm thankful that Doug has allowed the DCA forum to exist. So those lurkers out there can see DCA beyond the tours and the glossy adds"

I am too. My sole purpose as a DCA antagonist is to refute the ads.

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You don't have to fly around them. Not only do they fill up the airspace around Central Florida, there is a certain percentage of them that are totally arrogant about it.

I've been told to "leave this airspace - it's reserved for Delta Connection Academy training" (true story)

I've been asked my name and phone # by a DCA CFI so he could "report me." That was funny.

I've hade CFIs tell me that they "work for Delta."

I worked there one spring, training the Chinese students in King Airs for the Turbine Transition Program. I was worried about these guys jumping in to A300s and 757s so I started letting them do touch and go's. Then I was told, "Don't worry about it - they will be riding right seat at Gulfstream for 1000 hrs after this."

Yeah they keep good company too.

And why, please tell me why ... Why don't they teach their students the proper radio technique before they get on Orlando Approach? Can't they practice that in the simulators?

Sorry about the whining, but I now fly out of SFB quite often and I am frequently delayed, diverted or told to go around because of DCA.

Re: CH46Bubba

Don, I don't think they're stupid, I just chose the wrong words to convey what I really wanted to say. The blame can't soley lie on the student. Both the student and the marketing are to blame. These students get so stary eyed because they see the Delta logo and the percentages that they don't want to see what other avenues are out there. These are the targets of DCA marketing adds.

As Far as VA benefits goes, I didn't choose DCA because of that. Actually they do a crappy job of getting VA paperwork completed and out on time to the VA. As far as part 141 schools, the VA chooses what schools they will allow VA benefits to be used. I was just stating that VA benefits made the price of coming to DCA more manageable.

Re: CH46Bubba

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Don, I don't think they're stupid, I just chose the wrong words to convey what I really wanted to say. The blame can't soley lie on the student. Both the student and the marketing are to blame. These students get so stary eyed because they see the Delta logo and the percentages that they don't want to see what other avenues are out there. These are the targets of DCA marketing adds.


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So if Comair Academy's (DCA for those uninitiated) target student is an idiot, what does that say about the quality of student there? After all, I might have to sit next to one of them someday.

The good news is that if Comair spins off of Delta, that logo will be gone with the wind. (Frankly, my dear, I don't give a da**!)

G

Re: CH46Bubba

One of the problems is the top gun never had any real world experience. She went directly out of ERAU's grad program into the fire. I think the theory taught in grad school did not relate to today's environment. Experience is defiantly lacking. It is the same case as if a newly minted Commercial/Instrument/Multi-engine pilot with only 200 hours is put into the Capt. seat of a B-757. This case study could ready the Ops Man and probably start, taxi, take off and land a few times, however, something will happen that is not in any book. Experience counts, even in running a flight school.