Tworotor7
Well-Known Member
As most of you are noticing there is some movement finally starting to show in our industry again. With Regionals like Eagle, Air Wisconsin, Colgan to name a few...
With that said, I figured maybe its about time to throw in a few applications and try this 121 world before that door closes again for a few years.
My background in aviation started somewhat when I was in the Air Force as a B1 Bomber Crew Chief few years ago. After getting out of active duty and saving some money I decided on ATP to get my ratings back in 06/07...few months later I'm sitting with my CFI/CFII/MEI. Ill be honest, the program at ATP worked and was as described but with a few minor setbacks.
I ended up busting my:
1. Private Multi for the short field landing--Floated to far down the runway.
2. MEI (Which was done as CFI Initial)--Teaching VMC Demo I had a little nervousness and forgetfulness...put down the gear when configuring for it. Split second realized oops and retracted the gear and started over. Completed it without a problem. But as soon as I landed when the checkride was over the DPE said I failed for that and the next morning I went up and did it again and passed.
3. CFII--Teaching holds...Basically stumbled on entry and didn't teach wind correction that well. Passed again next day.
Now I don't take these busts lightly, and this post isn't meant to make excuses about them or about the DPE or instructor. I take full responsibility and learned from them.
Fast forward few years...almost 3000 hrs total time / 900 Multi (500 of which is turbine PIC).
I still instruct some what (about 1800 total instructor time) but now mostly fly a Corporate King Air and Cirrus.
Flying Corporate has been great and really it has always mainly been my goal besides flying for the Border Patrol. But with movement at the 121 level like I mentioned earlier I figure why not try this...maybe Ill like it? So I go ahead and throw my applications in and get interview offers.
First one is American Eagle this past April. I went down to Dallas and really the interview couldn't have gone any better...Sim and Tech went excellent. All until HR showed up saying I didn't cut it due to new policy changes. (No more then 3 Checkride failures)
Air Wisconsin calls for interview early September offering me an interview knowing about the 3 checkride failures I had. I gladly accept and few days prior my mother goes to the hospital for a mild heart attack so I had to decline and ask for another date. Few weeks later HR calls (they are very nice I may add) saying unfortunately they now have a policy change and cant interview anyone with 3 or more also.
Fast forward to today. Colgan calls, asks about my info for an interview in a week...I tell her about the 3 busts and she tells me at this time cannot interview anyone with 3 or more also.
So here I am, 26 years old, wiser, smarter, better looking :laff:, hell of a better pilot then I was at 250 hours, King Air Initial and Recurrent training the past 2 years, and no violations/failures since.
I cannot even get a single interview
Just feeling if this is going to be the case, I may never get anywhere in this career like I thought I would because of my past part 61 primary failures.
Not really sure what I'm looking for in this post...just needed to get it off my chest. I'm sure I'm not the only one in this situation.
Does anyone think this 3 checkride failure stuff is the new norm or just the norm right now being so many of us looking for work? eh I hope so.
Happy Flying
With that said, I figured maybe its about time to throw in a few applications and try this 121 world before that door closes again for a few years.
My background in aviation started somewhat when I was in the Air Force as a B1 Bomber Crew Chief few years ago. After getting out of active duty and saving some money I decided on ATP to get my ratings back in 06/07...few months later I'm sitting with my CFI/CFII/MEI. Ill be honest, the program at ATP worked and was as described but with a few minor setbacks.
I ended up busting my:
1. Private Multi for the short field landing--Floated to far down the runway.
2. MEI (Which was done as CFI Initial)--Teaching VMC Demo I had a little nervousness and forgetfulness...put down the gear when configuring for it. Split second realized oops and retracted the gear and started over. Completed it without a problem. But as soon as I landed when the checkride was over the DPE said I failed for that and the next morning I went up and did it again and passed.
3. CFII--Teaching holds...Basically stumbled on entry and didn't teach wind correction that well. Passed again next day.
Now I don't take these busts lightly, and this post isn't meant to make excuses about them or about the DPE or instructor. I take full responsibility and learned from them.
Fast forward few years...almost 3000 hrs total time / 900 Multi (500 of which is turbine PIC).
I still instruct some what (about 1800 total instructor time) but now mostly fly a Corporate King Air and Cirrus.
Flying Corporate has been great and really it has always mainly been my goal besides flying for the Border Patrol. But with movement at the 121 level like I mentioned earlier I figure why not try this...maybe Ill like it? So I go ahead and throw my applications in and get interview offers.
First one is American Eagle this past April. I went down to Dallas and really the interview couldn't have gone any better...Sim and Tech went excellent. All until HR showed up saying I didn't cut it due to new policy changes. (No more then 3 Checkride failures)
Air Wisconsin calls for interview early September offering me an interview knowing about the 3 checkride failures I had. I gladly accept and few days prior my mother goes to the hospital for a mild heart attack so I had to decline and ask for another date. Few weeks later HR calls (they are very nice I may add) saying unfortunately they now have a policy change and cant interview anyone with 3 or more also.
Fast forward to today. Colgan calls, asks about my info for an interview in a week...I tell her about the 3 busts and she tells me at this time cannot interview anyone with 3 or more also.
So here I am, 26 years old, wiser, smarter, better looking :laff:, hell of a better pilot then I was at 250 hours, King Air Initial and Recurrent training the past 2 years, and no violations/failures since.
I cannot even get a single interview
Just feeling if this is going to be the case, I may never get anywhere in this career like I thought I would because of my past part 61 primary failures.
Not really sure what I'm looking for in this post...just needed to get it off my chest. I'm sure I'm not the only one in this situation.
Does anyone think this 3 checkride failure stuff is the new norm or just the norm right now being so many of us looking for work? eh I hope so.
Happy Flying
