Failed Check rides and Consequences.

C

Capt.BBZ

New Member
I am a new CFI graduate and I am hearing stories about failed check rides. Except my CSEL, I failed all the check rides at the first time. ( Private, Instrument, CFI-Initial.) will the airline job remain a dream only for me? Or check rides are only one of the factors that affect the Airline Interview? Or Will my situation matter at all? some serious advices will be greatly appreciated.
 
You're definitely going to have some 'splaining to do at your first interview or two. It might put you at a disadvantage but it's not a reason to give up hope. The best advice I can offer is to put as much total time as possible between you and those failed checkrides. Learn from your mistakes and don't fail another one. Start instructing and work hard to build up positive resume bullets.
 
This new "if you fail checkrides you will be scrutinized" stuff is sure opening up arenas for talking smack. The thing is a very large percentage of the peeps who are quick to remind people that checkride failures are a big deal now, have something on their record themselves. Ollie is right on, IMO and I think there's gonna be a difference between "Have you ever failed a checkride" (in an interview) and your record of professional checks. Not a big difference, but a difference nonetheless. The companies are supposed to figure out which people are not quick cutting it and simply not including people who have checkride failures in their primary training isn't going to help them fill seats.
 
Capt.BBZ said:
I am a new CFI graduate and I am hearing stories about failed check rides. Except my CSEL, I failed all the check rides at the first time. ( Private, Instrument, CFI-Initial.) will the airline job remain a dream only for me? Or check rides are only one of the factors that affect the Airline Interview? Or Will my situation matter at all? some serious advices will be greatly appreciated.
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I would say, get some good experience such as glass cockpit, actual IFR, maybe some extra ratings such as glider, sea plane...show them that you are trainable and keep on applying: sooner or later you will get hired!!!

I really hate the fact that they are even asking for failed checkrides, part 141 has no checkrides...but training under part 141 does not ultimately mean being a better pilot...

Good luck!
 
Personally I've seen pilots with professional ambitions showing more motivation for studying and spending time with me and other CFIs on oral prep.
 
mxaexm said:
I would say, get some good experience such as glass cockpit, actual IFR, maybe some extra ratings such as glider, sea plane...show them that you are trainable and keep on applying: sooner or later you will get hired!!!

I really hate the fact that they are even asking for failed checkrides, part 141 has no checkrides...but training under part 141 does not ultimately mean being a better pilot...

Good luck!
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So you are saying, a pilot with experience of 2500TT and a good amount of actual IFR, ATP and so on will have a chance? Failed checkride is not the end of a career ( dreaming of an airline pilot)?
 
It's the law of supply and demand. It all depends on the economy as you move along. One thing does seem to be happening though, and that is since the Colgan accident, a record of failed checks seems to work against people more than it did before.
 
Capt.BBZ said:
So you are saying, a pilot with experience of 2500TT and a good amount of actual IFR, ATP and so on will have a chance? Failed checkride is not the end of a career ( dreaming of an airline pilot)?
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No one really knows yet. I've busted one - CFI glider. I doubt it makes me unemployable (my low time covers that ;)
 
I am not going to make any claims about your chances in the future. Supply and demand will play a big part of whether or not your checkride failures will be an issue. Another big part will be your attitude. Are you confident enough in yourself?

However, in my opinion, not too much weight can be put on initial training checkride failures. For an airline or other outfit not to hire someone because they failed a couple checkrides 10 years prior is kind of like not hiring someone because they didn't pass a spelling test when they were in junior high. On the other hand, if you've failed every checkride you've ever took...I don't know....
 
Any blemish that you have on your record could be a constrant. But I think what matters more is how you respond when asked about it. If they ask you about the failures and you try to make up excuses for why you failed each one they will look poorly on you for it. But if you man up and take responsibility for it, it shows good character. I've always been told to make any blemishes on your record your strong point in your interview. Explain what you learned from it and how you used it as a building block to future success. At least that my opinion on the matter and my opinion my not matter much lol.
 
I busted my CFI twice and I've been hired three times. I wouldn't worry too much about it if you're willing to own your mistakes.

If it was "the examiners fault" each time then you might have a long hard road.
 
How do employer's know if you have failed a checkride? Is this information easily accessed? If so why cant we access it?
 
Inverted said:
How do employer's know if you have failed a checkride? Is this information easily accessed? If so why cant we access it?
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Yes it is accessible through FAA records. It will also let them know if you discontinued your checkride. As you may have noticed, everything is electronic now. I busted my CSEL - It was for Pilotage and Dead Reckoning error. The examiner actually noted on FAA's website the reason for discontinuation.

To OP, if you are determined and work hard, i doubt it will be an issue. As above posters said, it is all about supply and demand. My best friend, who worked for PSA, told me about his class mate failed the sim ride but then was able to get hired by ASA. So you never know.... :dunno:
 
TopGunn said:
Yes it is accessible through FAA records. It will also let them know if you discontinued your checkride. As you may have noticed, everything is electronic now. I busted my CSEL - It was for Pilotage and Dead Reckoning error. The examiner actually noted on FAA's website the reason for discontinuation.
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I think you've confused two things here. If you busted the checkride, the examiner would have noted the reason for the disapproval, not discontinuance. A discontinuance is given when the checkride cannot be completed, but nothing has been failed up to that point. Often they are given for weather issues or medical issues (ie, someone got sick during the process).
 
KSCessnaDriver said:
I think you've confused two things here. If you busted the checkride, the examiner would have noted the reason for the disapproval, not discontinuance. A discontinuance is given when the checkride cannot be completed, but nothing has been failed up to that point. Often they are given for weather issues or medical issues (ie, someone got sick during the process).
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I stand corrected. I meant Disapproval.
 
KSCessnaDriver said:
I think you've confused two things here. If you busted the checkride, the examiner would have noted the reason for the disapproval, not discontinuance. A discontinuance is given when the checkride cannot be completed, but nothing has been failed up to that point. Often they are given for weather issues or medical issues (ie, someone got sick during the process).
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If you look at Figures 7-9A and 7-9B in FAA Order 8900.2, you will note that a reason for a discontinuance is noted.
 
Guy said:
If you look at Figures 7-9A and 7-9B in FAA Order 8900.2, you will note that a reason for a discontinuance is noted.
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Yes, but failing a maneuver wouldn't be one of them. For my instrument checkride, I had 2 discontinuances, just because of how the school made the the checkride work. First the oral, then an FTD, then a flight.
 
Capt.BBZ said:
I am a new CFI graduate and I am hearing stories about failed check rides. Except my CSEL, I failed all the check rides at the first time. ( Private, Instrument, CFI-Initial.) will the airline job remain a dream only for me? Or check rides are only one of the factors that affect the Airline Interview? Or Will my situation matter at all? some serious advices will be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...


I have several mulligans (one each, no double failures) and I am on my 2nd airline job.

Just like others, I've gotten calls and turned down by some of the same airlines my friends who have 0 pinks have been turned down by.

As long as you discontinue the pattern of not passing, as I did, you'll be fine.

Best of luck.
 
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