montanapilot
Well-Known Member
Re: \"Delta shares nosedive on Ch. 11 fears\"
"Being owned by DELTA means everything"
"Being owned by DELTA means everything"
"Delta shares nosedive on Ch. 11 fears"
- Thread starter 951fan
- Start date
mnixon
Well-Known Member
Re: \"Delta shares nosedive on Ch. 11 fears\"
[ QUOTE ]
"I'm sure the replies will start with how DCA and Delta are separate entities and not really related and operate independently"
But I thought "being owned by Delta makes all the difference"....
Guess they may have to change that.
"By the way, I have an interview with ASA next month! And no, I didn't go to Comair Academy."
Well...I guess being owned by Delta DIDN'T make all the difference for you.
[/ QUOTE ]
Friday night at 1:26 AM and your on here shouting the same crap, instead of, dare I say, doing something fun, wow, your life must suck.
[ QUOTE ]
"I'm sure the replies will start with how DCA and Delta are separate entities and not really related and operate independently"
But I thought "being owned by Delta makes all the difference"....
Guess they may have to change that.
"By the way, I have an interview with ASA next month! And no, I didn't go to Comair Academy."
Well...I guess being owned by Delta DIDN'T make all the difference for you.
[/ QUOTE ]
Friday night at 1:26 AM and your on here shouting the same crap, instead of, dare I say, doing something fun, wow, your life must suck.
DE727UPS
Well-Known Member
Re: \"Delta shares nosedive on Ch. 11 fears\"
Yeah. I work 10 days a month and make 140K a year. My life sucks. At the same time, I enjoy the crap out of calling out and debating the things I loathe about the business I'm in. One of those things is DCA's marketing practices. Next question?
Yeah. I work 10 days a month and make 140K a year. My life sucks. At the same time, I enjoy the crap out of calling out and debating the things I loathe about the business I'm in. One of those things is DCA's marketing practices. Next question?
Re: \"Delta shares nosedive on Ch. 11 fears\"
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
"I'm sure the replies will start with how DCA and Delta are separate entities and not really related and operate independently"
But I thought "being owned by Delta makes all the difference"....
Guess they may have to change that.
"By the way, I have an interview with ASA next month! And no, I didn't go to Comair Academy."
Well...I guess being owned by Delta DIDN'T make all the difference for you.
[/ QUOTE ]
Friday night at 1:26 AM and your on here shouting the same crap, instead of, dare I say, doing something fun, wow, your life must suck.
[/ QUOTE ]
Using ad hominem attacks during a debate does nothing but ivalidate the things you say.
Good job.
*EDITED* for my lack of spelling ability during the late hours. lol
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
"I'm sure the replies will start with how DCA and Delta are separate entities and not really related and operate independently"
But I thought "being owned by Delta makes all the difference"....
Guess they may have to change that.
"By the way, I have an interview with ASA next month! And no, I didn't go to Comair Academy."
Well...I guess being owned by Delta DIDN'T make all the difference for you.
[/ QUOTE ]
Friday night at 1:26 AM and your on here shouting the same crap, instead of, dare I say, doing something fun, wow, your life must suck.
[/ QUOTE ]
Using ad hominem attacks during a debate does nothing but ivalidate the things you say.
Good job.
*EDITED* for my lack of spelling ability during the late hours. lol
Re: \"Delta shares nosedive on Ch. 11 fears\"
[ QUOTE ]
"ad hominen"
What does that mean? HeHe. I could tell you what frequency an outer marker transmits at but I have no idea about what you guys are talking about.
[/ QUOTE ]
Damn speeeelling. I meant to say Ad Hominem, i.e., personal attacks (comments made against somebody) meant to "strengthen" their (the attacker's) position by making the other person look bad. Only problem is that they have the exact opposite effect. They end up making the person saying them look bad. In addition, the fail to provee the other person wrong. Essentially they are pretty much useless. lol
Ad homina...homina...homina....
Wasn't that from "The Three Amigos" when they were looking for the the invisible swordsman?
"Farla...farla...farla...farla..faaarrrrrlllla!"
Damn, I think I've seen that movie too many times.
[ QUOTE ]
"ad hominen"
What does that mean? HeHe. I could tell you what frequency an outer marker transmits at but I have no idea about what you guys are talking about.
[/ QUOTE ]
Damn speeeelling. I meant to say Ad Hominem, i.e., personal attacks (comments made against somebody) meant to "strengthen" their (the attacker's) position by making the other person look bad. Only problem is that they have the exact opposite effect. They end up making the person saying them look bad. In addition, the fail to provee the other person wrong. Essentially they are pretty much useless. lol
Ad homina...homina...homina....
Wasn't that from "The Three Amigos" when they were looking for the the invisible swordsman?
"Farla...farla...farla...farla..faaarrrrrlllla!"
Damn, I think I've seen that movie too many times.
Re: \"Delta shares nosedive on Ch. 11 fears\"
[ QUOTE ]
Well....that's fine. Three Amigo's where was I learned the word "Plethora"
[/ QUOTE ]
LOL...same here.
Everytime I hear that word I ask if they got it from the Three Amigos and 99% of the time the answer is a resounding, "YES".
[ QUOTE ]
Well....that's fine. Three Amigo's where was I learned the word "Plethora"
[/ QUOTE ]
LOL...same here.
Everytime I hear that word I ask if they got it from the Three Amigos and 99% of the time the answer is a resounding, "YES".
Re: \"Delta shares nosedive on Ch. 11 fears\"
[ QUOTE ]
Yeah. I work 10 days a month and make 140K a year. My life sucks. At the same time, I enjoy the crap out of calling out and debating the things I loathe about the business I'm in. One of those things is DCA's marketing practices. Next question?
[/ QUOTE ]
UPS, you seem to be much more impressed by your position than anyone else here. Your arrogance into thinking that every prospect should read the ads the way you do is quite amazing. If you really want to help everyone reading this, how about assuming they are intelligent enough to interpret the ads for themselves? Or that they will look past the glossy ads and do more research than you assume. You self admittedly will not visit the school and find out what kind of training DCA provides, yet you think because "I think this of their ads" is more than enough to bash the entirety of the program. Respect is still something to be earned, not something inherent to a postition.
[ QUOTE ]
Yeah. I work 10 days a month and make 140K a year. My life sucks. At the same time, I enjoy the crap out of calling out and debating the things I loathe about the business I'm in. One of those things is DCA's marketing practices. Next question?
[/ QUOTE ]
UPS, you seem to be much more impressed by your position than anyone else here. Your arrogance into thinking that every prospect should read the ads the way you do is quite amazing. If you really want to help everyone reading this, how about assuming they are intelligent enough to interpret the ads for themselves? Or that they will look past the glossy ads and do more research than you assume. You self admittedly will not visit the school and find out what kind of training DCA provides, yet you think because "I think this of their ads" is more than enough to bash the entirety of the program. Respect is still something to be earned, not something inherent to a postition.
Re: \"Delta shares nosedive on Ch. 11 fears\"
'Delta happens to be the main 'shareholder' of DCA. Wholly Owned Subsidiarys are defined as a subsidiary whose parent company owns 100% of its common stock. In other words, the parent company owns the company outright and there are no minority owners. Unlike a division, expenses, losses, bankruptcy insolvency and liquidation are NOT passed on to subsidiaries. They are actually carried on the books of the parent company. Only effect of a sale would be another company taking over as the parent company.'
First off thanks to VampyreGTX, he knows what he is talking about and has knowledge of business and how things work. I see that most of you are having trouble with reading comprehension!! AGAIN, DCA is a Subsidiary!! If you read the above from VampyreGTX, you will see that still means that there is ownership by Delta over DCA. I know it is difficult for most of you to understand. However, DCA still stands alone.
'Delta happens to be the main 'shareholder' of DCA. Wholly Owned Subsidiarys are defined as a subsidiary whose parent company owns 100% of its common stock. In other words, the parent company owns the company outright and there are no minority owners. Unlike a division, expenses, losses, bankruptcy insolvency and liquidation are NOT passed on to subsidiaries. They are actually carried on the books of the parent company. Only effect of a sale would be another company taking over as the parent company.'
First off thanks to VampyreGTX, he knows what he is talking about and has knowledge of business and how things work. I see that most of you are having trouble with reading comprehension!! AGAIN, DCA is a Subsidiary!! If you read the above from VampyreGTX, you will see that still means that there is ownership by Delta over DCA. I know it is difficult for most of you to understand. However, DCA still stands alone.
VampyreGTX
New Member
Re: \"Delta shares nosedive on Ch. 11 fears\"
[ QUOTE ]
"DCA is NOT part of Delta airlines."
That's not what they want you to think when you look at their website....
[/ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Wasn't DCA the one that stated "Airline owned and operated" on the front page of their website a few years back?
[/ QUOTE ]
They never state on their website that they are PART of Delta. THey say they are airline OWNED. This is 100% true. Stating previously that they are airline owned and operated also is correct. Being a wholly owned subsidiary means that Delta owns 100% of the shares of DCA (privately held). As the only shareholder, they not only own the company, but they have operating control if they want to. They can decide what happens at the company. So in reality, those quotes and statements on the site are not misleading at all.
The only question I have with their marketing is the statement of costs and not being upfront about the reality of the industry and the tru length of time of the program from start to interview at the airline.
Anyway, the only way there will be a detrimental effect on DCA due to bankruptcy would be if Delta decides to sell DCA which would result in free cash (as it's not tied up in a non-current investment) and possilby extra cash if sold for more than what Delta has it on it's books for. If Delta enters liquidation (I don't see that happening at any of the current bankrupt airlines) then they would be forced to sell off DCA. Would DCA have a problem picking up new investors, I doubt it. The school would continue to operate, just under a new name.
Would enrollment be hurt? Possibly, probably. Not having Delta in the name would be detrimental at first. If they continue to place pilots, continue a good training program, they will still have students. They will just need to revamp marketing a bit. I bet they have this already planned out, at least the initial ideas are there.
[ QUOTE ]
"DCA is NOT part of Delta airlines."
That's not what they want you to think when you look at their website....
[/ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Wasn't DCA the one that stated "Airline owned and operated" on the front page of their website a few years back?
[/ QUOTE ]
They never state on their website that they are PART of Delta. THey say they are airline OWNED. This is 100% true. Stating previously that they are airline owned and operated also is correct. Being a wholly owned subsidiary means that Delta owns 100% of the shares of DCA (privately held). As the only shareholder, they not only own the company, but they have operating control if they want to. They can decide what happens at the company. So in reality, those quotes and statements on the site are not misleading at all.
The only question I have with their marketing is the statement of costs and not being upfront about the reality of the industry and the tru length of time of the program from start to interview at the airline.
Anyway, the only way there will be a detrimental effect on DCA due to bankruptcy would be if Delta decides to sell DCA which would result in free cash (as it's not tied up in a non-current investment) and possilby extra cash if sold for more than what Delta has it on it's books for. If Delta enters liquidation (I don't see that happening at any of the current bankrupt airlines) then they would be forced to sell off DCA. Would DCA have a problem picking up new investors, I doubt it. The school would continue to operate, just under a new name.
Would enrollment be hurt? Possibly, probably. Not having Delta in the name would be detrimental at first. If they continue to place pilots, continue a good training program, they will still have students. They will just need to revamp marketing a bit. I bet they have this already planned out, at least the initial ideas are there.
H46Bubba
Well-Known Member
Re: \"Delta shares nosedive on Ch. 11 fears\"
No, Delta is the main share holder of COMAIR INC. DCA is only a subsidiary of Delta through Comair Holdings Inc. The school uses that loosly in order to advertise. If Delta were to say, sell Comair the school goes with it. The purchasing company could do with it whatever it likes.
No, Delta is the main share holder of COMAIR INC. DCA is only a subsidiary of Delta through Comair Holdings Inc. The school uses that loosly in order to advertise. If Delta were to say, sell Comair the school goes with it. The purchasing company could do with it whatever it likes.
VampyreGTX
New Member
Re: \"Delta shares nosedive on Ch. 11 fears\"
Sorry H46, but DCA is a subsidiary of Delta Air Lines. Per Delta's 2004 annual report, Delta Connection Academy, Inc. is listed as a subsidiary under Exhibit 21.1, Subsidiaries of Delta Air Lines, Inc. Comair Holdings is also listed seperately. Even in a Delta press release on Delta's investor relations site regarding DCA, they list in the informational paragraph at the bottom that DCA is a wholly owned subsidiary of Delta. Maybe previously they used to be under Comair, but it looks like that has changed.
Sorry H46, but DCA is a subsidiary of Delta Air Lines. Per Delta's 2004 annual report, Delta Connection Academy, Inc. is listed as a subsidiary under Exhibit 21.1, Subsidiaries of Delta Air Lines, Inc. Comair Holdings is also listed seperately. Even in a Delta press release on Delta's investor relations site regarding DCA, they list in the informational paragraph at the bottom that DCA is a wholly owned subsidiary of Delta. Maybe previously they used to be under Comair, but it looks like that has changed.
Re: \"Delta shares nosedive on Ch. 11 fears\"
yes, in the 2004 annual report, it does show as a subsidiary... however, it also shows the same way in the previous reports.
if you look on the comair site in the "about comair" section, it does state that it is wholly owned by DAL and that Comair is the only airline that *owns* and *operates* it's own aviation academy...see the "ONLY" in there? meaning DAL does not own DCA... Comair Does - DAL & Comair => 2 different airlines, one within the other.
I take the annual report to mean that DAL sees DCA as a subsidiary only because DAL wholly owns Comair which in turn owns DCA - it still does not mean DAL is actually affiliated with the school other than in name only.
http://www.comair.com/about/comairfactsheet0805.pdf Comair Fact Sheet
now, DAL does show DCA as a subsidiary.. links to their website and shows some of the news media but until DAL says that it *owns* and *operates* it's own academy, that's how I'll see it and no, DAL does not have that verbage anywhere on their site or within the annual reports.
I'm thinking if it did own/operate it's own academy, wouldn't they also conduct their training there with the sims??
I think we're clear on this whole ownership thing now aren't we?
one more thing - then saying "being airline owned makes a difference" is actually true in this case, but if they're staying their DAL owned, then THAT is what's false about the statement... true - they are airline owned, by COMAIR....
and with them saying their owned by delta is a misnomer in my eyes - I'd actually like to see the paperwork where DAL says they've taken over ownership from Comair to DAL before I believe it.
yes, in the 2004 annual report, it does show as a subsidiary... however, it also shows the same way in the previous reports.
if you look on the comair site in the "about comair" section, it does state that it is wholly owned by DAL and that Comair is the only airline that *owns* and *operates* it's own aviation academy...see the "ONLY" in there? meaning DAL does not own DCA... Comair Does - DAL & Comair => 2 different airlines, one within the other.
I take the annual report to mean that DAL sees DCA as a subsidiary only because DAL wholly owns Comair which in turn owns DCA - it still does not mean DAL is actually affiliated with the school other than in name only.
http://www.comair.com/about/comairfactsheet0805.pdf Comair Fact Sheet
now, DAL does show DCA as a subsidiary.. links to their website and shows some of the news media but until DAL says that it *owns* and *operates* it's own academy, that's how I'll see it and no, DAL does not have that verbage anywhere on their site or within the annual reports.
I'm thinking if it did own/operate it's own academy, wouldn't they also conduct their training there with the sims??
I think we're clear on this whole ownership thing now aren't we?
one more thing - then saying "being airline owned makes a difference" is actually true in this case, but if they're staying their DAL owned, then THAT is what's false about the statement... true - they are airline owned, by COMAIR....
and with them saying their owned by delta is a misnomer in my eyes - I'd actually like to see the paperwork where DAL says they've taken over ownership from Comair to DAL before I believe it.
DE727UPS
Well-Known Member
Re: \"Delta shares nosedive on Ch. 11 fears\"
"yet you think because "I think this of their ads" is more than enough to bash the entirety of the program."
I thought I was mostly just bashing the marketing and the magazine ads though I do take issue with $10/hr CFI pay and strict rules about how close you can taxi to a fuel truck.
"yet you think because "I think this of their ads" is more than enough to bash the entirety of the program."
I thought I was mostly just bashing the marketing and the magazine ads though I do take issue with $10/hr CFI pay and strict rules about how close you can taxi to a fuel truck.
VampyreGTX
New Member
Re: \"Delta shares nosedive on Ch. 11 fears\"
I also think the pay is low, but isn't that the norm around the industry? Almost everywhere I've looked, even here in Chicago, I"ve seen similar rates. Plus hey! They are trying to prepare you for the airline career! How much better does $15 at a regional seem versus the $10 you make instructing! You just got a 50% raise!
About the fuel truck, it's not too crazy of a rule as the FBO I worked at had a similar rule to how close we could drive the fuel trucks to the planes as well. Though when fueling, we would park within a few feet of the plane....
I also think the pay is low, but isn't that the norm around the industry? Almost everywhere I've looked, even here in Chicago, I"ve seen similar rates. Plus hey! They are trying to prepare you for the airline career! How much better does $15 at a regional seem versus the $10 you make instructing! You just got a 50% raise!
About the fuel truck, it's not too crazy of a rule as the FBO I worked at had a similar rule to how close we could drive the fuel trucks to the planes as well. Though when fueling, we would park within a few feet of the plane....
FO_SHIZZLE
Well-Known Member
Re: \"Delta shares nosedive on Ch. 11 fears\"
I think the fuel truck rule is a safety thing. I mean think about it, you've got students with maybe 30 hours under their belt coming back from a solo on a busy ramp, they are all exited, not necessarily paying attention, they think they can clear it barely and then end up clipping the wing. Or they are sneaking by and the fueler pulls away and he never sees them. I'm sure you guys at UPS have plenty of rules regarding safety as it pertains to your environment. I'm pretty sure it's just there as a safety concern and to minimize the chance of an accident. I'm not sure why this rule irks you so much.
I think the academy was using the "being owned by an airline means everything" line even back when it was CAA. So if Comair is sold, spun-off, or whatever, I would expect that they would still be using the airline owned as a big marketing tool. In all honestly I would hope that people would know that the guaranteed interview would be with a regional/national carrier and not Delta itself. I think that people that don't read the fine print and are suckered by glossy ads really have no business flying an airplane in the first place. Most people seem to be able to take marketing for what it is. I would hope that most people did not come here because of the ads but if they did then I'm guessing they are somewhat naive.
I think the fuel truck rule is a safety thing. I mean think about it, you've got students with maybe 30 hours under their belt coming back from a solo on a busy ramp, they are all exited, not necessarily paying attention, they think they can clear it barely and then end up clipping the wing. Or they are sneaking by and the fueler pulls away and he never sees them. I'm sure you guys at UPS have plenty of rules regarding safety as it pertains to your environment. I'm pretty sure it's just there as a safety concern and to minimize the chance of an accident. I'm not sure why this rule irks you so much.
I think the academy was using the "being owned by an airline means everything" line even back when it was CAA. So if Comair is sold, spun-off, or whatever, I would expect that they would still be using the airline owned as a big marketing tool. In all honestly I would hope that people would know that the guaranteed interview would be with a regional/national carrier and not Delta itself. I think that people that don't read the fine print and are suckered by glossy ads really have no business flying an airplane in the first place. Most people seem to be able to take marketing for what it is. I would hope that most people did not come here because of the ads but if they did then I'm guessing they are somewhat naive.
DE727UPS
Well-Known Member
Re: \"Delta shares nosedive on Ch. 11 fears\"
Are you talking to me? I'm not part of the debate on who owns what. I could care less. The point is DCA's ads and marketing, for years, have played up their association with a major airline (whatever it is) as a reason they are the superior choice in flight schools. I think it's silly to say that and I am simply wondering if some of the luster of that statement will wear off if, and when, Delta declares backruptcy.
I don't think being associated with Delta makes any difference. Can you DCA apologists tell me how being associated with Delta airlines effects training at DCA? Maybe it's the association with the Delta regionals that makes being associated by Delta so important. But wait, the Delta regionals hire people besides DCA grads and Eagle is now part of the DCA placement scheme....and Eagle is American, not Delta. So if a DCA grad goes to Eagle, did being associated with Delta NOT make all the difference?
Sorry. It's just that when a person has been around the industry as long as I have, it gets under my skin when big academy marketing plays to an uneducated audience to suck people in. Hopefully, they do some research. See the recent FSA forum post for an example of what worries me.
Are you talking to me? I'm not part of the debate on who owns what. I could care less. The point is DCA's ads and marketing, for years, have played up their association with a major airline (whatever it is) as a reason they are the superior choice in flight schools. I think it's silly to say that and I am simply wondering if some of the luster of that statement will wear off if, and when, Delta declares backruptcy.
I don't think being associated with Delta makes any difference. Can you DCA apologists tell me how being associated with Delta airlines effects training at DCA? Maybe it's the association with the Delta regionals that makes being associated by Delta so important. But wait, the Delta regionals hire people besides DCA grads and Eagle is now part of the DCA placement scheme....and Eagle is American, not Delta. So if a DCA grad goes to Eagle, did being associated with Delta NOT make all the difference?
Sorry. It's just that when a person has been around the industry as long as I have, it gets under my skin when big academy marketing plays to an uneducated audience to suck people in. Hopefully, they do some research. See the recent FSA forum post for an example of what worries me.
Re: \"Delta shares nosedive on Ch. 11 fears\"
On of my major issues with DCA (as a prospective flighttraining student) is the ambiguosity and "seemingly" level of BS on their website. Fort example, per the DCA website:
[ QUOTE ]
The Academy is an FAA approved Part 141 school offering a complete professional pilot course that can be completed in about 10 months. Upon completion, you will be able to apply for a paid Flight Instructor position. As a paid Flight Instructor, you will gain valuable experience while receiving the flight hours required by the Airlines.
Best of all, Academy graduates will log over 1,000 hours and receive a GUARANTEED job interview within the Delta Connection System.
97% of our Graduates are hired by the Airlines.
[/ QUOTE ]
First: Who gets 1000 hours? Academy graduates or people who are CFIs first? The quote explains niether, although it gives the impression that : going to DCA = 1,000 hours. Only after going to the "Benefits" page do you see the ** noting that you must be an instructor first to get the 1,000 hours. Why not just be up front and to the point? Why make me search for the truth? I'm already paying out the nose for the flight school...at least do your best to inform me.
Second: 97%? When? After graduating from the Academy, or after being an instructor, or after being an istructor and working somewhere else for a while? I can go to DCA, graduate from flight school, become a instructor there, not get a job, go to a local FBO to flight instruct for a while and end up finding a job 3 years later. Does that still mean the I got a job because I was a DCA grad? Yes, but mostly, No. Too somebody who doesn't know too much about the industry, it appears as if simply going to DCA results in a 97% chance of being hired. Everybody here knows that isn't true, but what about the people who don't know about JetCareers and don't have the fountain of information we enjoy here?
I have no issue with DCA as a school, I take issue with how I feel like there is something "lurking" there that I'm not being told. Instead of "Garunteed Interview!" everywhere, I'd rather see, "We train you, but it's up to you to get that airline job. Nothing in life comes easy, but we can make the path a little less bumpy" (or something along those lines).
IMO, honesty and being forward says a lot for professionalism, integrity, and respect. How can I feel safe in dropping an ungodly amount of money if I am always under the impression that I am not being told something. Truth in advertising goes a long way for myself and my family. When I was involved in sales for CompUSA (don't laugh, I made close to $3,000 a month working part-time) 99% of the business people I sold computer systems too said they would rather pay more money and come to me then go some place cheaper because I told them exactly how it was. Did everybody where I worked do that? Hell, no! But they weren't #1 in sales for close to 1/2 of a year either. I was. I got more job offers there then any other place I have ever worked, mainly because people came to trust me and I showed integrity. I would like the same thing from a prospective flight school, especially since they costs so darn much. Not to mention, IMO, being a professional pilot should epitomize professionalism and integrity. It would be nice if the flight school that builds my foundation did the same, in all aspects.
I actually think DCA could increase their sales by "telling it how it is" and being up front with their potential customers. At least put the people's minds at ease when they are spending that much money, give them the "at least I know where I stand" confidence...let them know what they are getting themselves into so they don't find out 1 year and $70,000 (or possibly much more) later.
My .02c
On of my major issues with DCA (as a prospective flighttraining student) is the ambiguosity and "seemingly" level of BS on their website. Fort example, per the DCA website:
[ QUOTE ]
The Academy is an FAA approved Part 141 school offering a complete professional pilot course that can be completed in about 10 months. Upon completion, you will be able to apply for a paid Flight Instructor position. As a paid Flight Instructor, you will gain valuable experience while receiving the flight hours required by the Airlines.
Best of all, Academy graduates will log over 1,000 hours and receive a GUARANTEED job interview within the Delta Connection System.
97% of our Graduates are hired by the Airlines.
[/ QUOTE ]
First: Who gets 1000 hours? Academy graduates or people who are CFIs first? The quote explains niether, although it gives the impression that : going to DCA = 1,000 hours. Only after going to the "Benefits" page do you see the ** noting that you must be an instructor first to get the 1,000 hours. Why not just be up front and to the point? Why make me search for the truth? I'm already paying out the nose for the flight school...at least do your best to inform me.
Second: 97%? When? After graduating from the Academy, or after being an instructor, or after being an istructor and working somewhere else for a while? I can go to DCA, graduate from flight school, become a instructor there, not get a job, go to a local FBO to flight instruct for a while and end up finding a job 3 years later. Does that still mean the I got a job because I was a DCA grad? Yes, but mostly, No. Too somebody who doesn't know too much about the industry, it appears as if simply going to DCA results in a 97% chance of being hired. Everybody here knows that isn't true, but what about the people who don't know about JetCareers and don't have the fountain of information we enjoy here?
I have no issue with DCA as a school, I take issue with how I feel like there is something "lurking" there that I'm not being told. Instead of "Garunteed Interview!" everywhere, I'd rather see, "We train you, but it's up to you to get that airline job. Nothing in life comes easy, but we can make the path a little less bumpy" (or something along those lines).
IMO, honesty and being forward says a lot for professionalism, integrity, and respect. How can I feel safe in dropping an ungodly amount of money if I am always under the impression that I am not being told something. Truth in advertising goes a long way for myself and my family. When I was involved in sales for CompUSA (don't laugh, I made close to $3,000 a month working part-time) 99% of the business people I sold computer systems too said they would rather pay more money and come to me then go some place cheaper because I told them exactly how it was. Did everybody where I worked do that? Hell, no! But they weren't #1 in sales for close to 1/2 of a year either. I was. I got more job offers there then any other place I have ever worked, mainly because people came to trust me and I showed integrity. I would like the same thing from a prospective flight school, especially since they costs so darn much. Not to mention, IMO, being a professional pilot should epitomize professionalism and integrity. It would be nice if the flight school that builds my foundation did the same, in all aspects.
I actually think DCA could increase their sales by "telling it how it is" and being up front with their potential customers. At least put the people's minds at ease when they are spending that much money, give them the "at least I know where I stand" confidence...let them know what they are getting themselves into so they don't find out 1 year and $70,000 (or possibly much more) later.
My .02c