Fun times at Skywest

[PeanuckleCRJ]

Holy cow that is impressive! To make sure I understand, it doesn't matter what you currently hold as far as aircraft, they just look at your "ability" to hold something on the seniority list, even if you don't bid that? Correct? If so, why isn't there a mad rush for every pilot who lives in ATL to go teach in the sim!?!

It's a very strict process for getting into the schoolhouse- the interviewing selects certain personality types. We do not tolerate yellers or anything of that sort- it is a training department, not a checking department, no ifs, ands, or buts. It's all about being respectful to the students and creating the optimum learning environment possible (at least that is the goal). It's really funny when you see us all in a room together- we're a bunch of clones. My wife described it as a room full of Dennys at various ages. Scary!

It's a difficult checkout, as it's a couple months of intense studying as you're worked up to using the sims (in our case we have the FTDs, then 4 full motion sims with 3 completely different operating systems- that's half the battle there) and most importantly teaching (i.e. communicating effectively and giving them timely feedback and evaluation while ensuring they continue to be receptive to learning). Plus, it's more work than just flying the line as far as days worked (I usually get 13-14 days off vs 17-19 off flying the line).

Not to mention, flying the line I can just sit back and do what I truly love... flying planes! I don't have to take in everything that the student or students are doing, operate the sim, and formulate what they need to see and here to improve (if need be). It's like going on vacation!

 

[B767]

I've only worked at two airlines and both only one aircraft type. I don't know what I would do with myself if I could bid more than one type. Oh the possibilities, almost makes one giddy.

I'm willing to bet you'd take the one with the best relative seniority. Well, I don't know actually. As for why not a mad rush for sim instructors, ask @Jimflyfast

 

[Cherokee_Cruiser]

I'm willing to bet you'd take the one with the best relative seniority. Well, I don't know actually. As for why not a mad rush for sim instructors, ask @Jimflyfast

Nah. I live in the NYC area drive-able to all 3 EWR/LGA/JFK. I'd take the one flying I haven't done: widebody / international to Europe/S. America/Asia. I've done the regional short hops and the A320 transcons. International would be a nice change up. But no matter, I have no problem retiring in the baby Bus if life/luck so allows.

 

[Cherokee_Cruiser]

It's a very strict process for getting into the schoolhouse- the interviewing selects certain personality types. We do not tolerate yellers or anything of that sort- it is a training department, not a checking department, no ifs, ands, or buts. It's all about being respectful to the students and creating the optimum learning environment possible (at least that is the goal). It's really funny when you see us all in a room together- we're a bunch of clones. My wife described it as a room full of Dennys at various ages. Scary!

It's a difficult checkout, as it's a couple months of intense studying as you're worked up to using the sims (in our case we have the FTDs, then 4 full motion sims with 3 completely different operating systems- that's half the battle there) and most importantly teaching (i.e. communicating effectively and giving them timely feedback and evaluation while ensuring they continue to be receptive to learning). Plus, it's more work than just flying the line as far as days worked (I usually get 13-14 days off vs 17-19 off flying the line).

Not to mention, flying the line I can just sit back and do what I truly love... flying planes! I don't have to take in everything that the student or students are doing, operate the sim, and formulate what they need to see and here to improve (if need be). It's like going on vacation!

Ah I see, good post. So if you are a full time instructor doing the 17-21 sessions per month (full schedule) then how often do you get to fly the line? And what's the company min requirement to fly the actual plane (how often) as a FTI?

 

[PeanuckleCRJ]

Ah I see, good post. So if you are a full time instructor doing the 17-21 sessions per month (full schedule) then how often do you get to fly the line? And what's the company min requirement to fly the actual plane (how often) as a FTI?

3 months out of the year normally (wish it was more), bare minimum is 120 hours a year per the contract.

 

[Cherokee_Cruiser]

3 months out of the year normally (wish it was more), bare minimum is 120 hours a year per the contract.

Oh so those 3 months you aren't a FTI? Say you have a normal 17 hr FTI schedule, and on a day off a juicy one-day pops up in open time, can you bid it?

 

[Autothrust Blue]

And that worries me. We shall see. Maybe I am a Debby downer.

You are not the only one.

So basically I'd be 85 hrs x 7ER pay. Not bad!

But:

a) I'm a commuter
b) I go from super patient to "must kill"

Well, I'm (b) anyway; I'm sort of glad that I've been passed over - twice - to teach the ER7, in favor of people who have never flown it.

(Ain't nobody got TIME to live in Denver neither)

 

[PeanuckleCRJ]

Oh so those 3 months you aren't a FTI? Say you have a normal 17 hr FTI schedule, and on a day off a juicy one-day pops up in open time, can you bid it?

I think you can only do an instructor green slip on your teaching months with no straight pick up. You're toward the bottom of the pecking order for getting a GS, too. I know of guys that have done that, but it's enough days worked where I've never put in for one.

My 3 "fly" months, I still get my override to 777 FO, but normal everything else.

 

[H46Bubba]

Maybe.... I just know this didnt help

Ha! That's an old DCA 152.

 

[PeanuckleCRJ]

(Ain't nobody got TIME to live in Denver neither)

I love me some Denver! That city is awesome!

Ha! That's an old DCA 152.

The best pilots in the world pass through these doors...er... um.. over this fence.

 

[H46Bubba]

I love me some Denver! That city is awesome!



The best pilots in the world pass through these doors...er... um.. over this fence.

I logged 10 hours in that aircraft back in 2003. It was a POS as we're most of their 152s and 172s.

 

[Autothrust Blue]

I love me some Denver! That city is awesome!

Kansas, with a view.

The best pilots in the world pass through these doors...er... um.. over this fence.

I've walked through the doors in question, and I'm certain they weren't referring to myself or my then-coworkers.

 

[dasleben]

Kansas, with a view.


I've walked through the doors in question, and I'm certain they weren't referring to myself or my then-coworkers.

I think you'd fit right in in Boulder.

 

[Autothrust Blue]

I think you'd fit right in in Boulder.

Perhaps, although our (once temporary, now apparently permanent) schoolhouse is in Aurora.

 

[v1valarob]

I'm "lucky" enough to have time in both the 145 and 200.

My first leg of IOE in the 145 we were filed for 370. At about 290 and .56M (our profile) I grew concerned. I asked the check airman "why isn't the red tape showing at the bottom of the air speed tape?" He responded "we aren't even close to the stall speed. You rarely see the stall red line in the climb."

After logging over 900 hours in the 200 I was shocked. After FL250 in the 200 you'd begin to really pucker up and pay attention.

The 145 will climb at .56 all the way to 37000' with no issue, and the. Accelerate to .74+ with no problem.

 

[CFIscare]

I'm "lucky" enough to have time in both the 145 and 200.

My first leg of IOE in the 145 we were filed for 370. At about 290 and .56M (our profile) I grew concerned. I asked the check airman "why isn't the red tape showing at the bottom of the air speed tape?" He responded "we aren't even close to the stall speed. You rarely see the stall red line in the climb."

After logging over 900 hours in the 200 I was shocked. After FL250 in the 200 you'd begin to really pucker up and pay attention.

The 145 will climb at .56 all the way to 37000' with no issue, and the. Accelerate to .74+ with no problem.

Do (did) people typically use .56 all the way to cruise at your shop? That's our profile also but I think the last time I actually saw someone do it was about 3 years ago, and the only reason was because our fuel was tight.

 

[SlumTodd_Millionaire]

I'm "lucky" enough to have time in both the 145 and 200.

My first leg of IOE in the 145 we were filed for 370. At about 290 and .56M (our profile) I grew concerned. I asked the check airman "why isn't the red tape showing at the bottom of the air speed tape?" He responded "we aren't even close to the stall speed. You rarely see the stall red line in the climb."

After logging over 900 hours in the 200 I was shocked. After FL250 in the 200 you'd begin to really pucker up and pay attention.

The 145 will climb at .56 all the way to 37000' with no issue, and the. Accelerate to .74+ with no problem.

It's a jet. Why the hell would people be flying it so slow anyway? We climbed at 290 kias in the -200s at Pinnacle. Never had any "pucker factor."

 

[Autothrust Blue]

I

Do (did) people typically use .56 all the way to cruise at your shop? That's our profile also by I think the last time I actually saw someone use in was about 3 years ago, and the only reason was because our fuel was tight.

I never once flew the 145 on the FLC climb schedule.

 

[Gonzo]

The 145 will climb at .56 all the way to 37000' with no issue, and the. Accelerate to .74+ with no problem.

My 3,200 hours in the 145 tells me you are getting bad info. 99 out of 100 times it will climb in FLC with no issue but it only takes one time for you to stop using it.

 

[Maximilian_Jenius]

3 months out of the year normally (wish it was more), bare minimum is 120 hours a year per the contract.

Will you ever go back to flying the line permanently? Or will you retire a sim instructor, and be home every night? Mostly.