Thanks Doug

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Just for the record....it's not just DCA's marketing that ticks me off. It's all those schools that make this career look so easy to attain if you "just train with us".

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You mean it isn't?

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Corporate ownership means nothing because they are separate organizations. Of course, the financial situation of the parent company does matter,

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So which one is it?? Does it or doesn't it matter? I would argue that it does matter. There are numerous advantages in accounting that a corporate structure provides. And yes, I would agree that Berkshire is a much more stable company than Delta. As a CEO, Warren Buffett is one of if not the best out there. If only I hadn't decided to fly I could have used the money to buy one share of Berkshire.
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Wow, you must be a republican! You know, when you take someones words out of context, it is really easy to misrepresent what someone says.

As far as relationships go, it doesn't matter who the corporate owner is. For instance, I cannot get a job working on a FSI simulator in London, even though I am a recently hired instructor at the academy. Just like you cannot get a job working for Delta, despite what your marketing says.


But as far as financial solvency goes, it matters a great deal. If Delta goes into Chapter 11, or, God Forbid, under, then Comair Academy should begin sweating... On the other hand, Berkshire Hathaway is very solvent, and FSI is not likely to be left in the cold anytime soon.

If you are going to quote me, please be intellectually honest enough to quote my entire sentence, and not cut it off at the comma....

Grayson
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Just like you cannot get a job working for Delta, despite what your marketing says.


But as far as financial solvency goes, it matters a great deal. If Delta goes into Chapter 11, or, God Forbid, under, then Comair Academy should begin sweating... On the other hand, Berkshire Hathaway is very solvent, and FSI is not likely to be left in the cold anytime soon.


Whether I agree with the claims in DCA's marketing or not, I never seen anywhere where they claim that if you come to DCA you will get a job with Delta. Never, as far as I have seen, do any of the ads say that. The ads don't even guarantee a job at DCA! Some of them do say that you will be guaranteed an INTERVIEW with a Delta CONNECTION carrier if you complete the entire program, but that is it.

As far as Delta's solvency goes, I really don't think the school has much to worry about. I mean 'cmon, we charge a pretty penny for our training (just like most other flight schools out there that are run for profit) and I don't think anyone here tries to hide that fact. I would assume that DCA makes a pretty healthy profit every quarter and a profitable business will succeed with or without it's current owner. It is possible that ownership could change I suppose, but I seriously doubt that the school would fold even if it did.

By the way Doug, if DCA wanted to advertise on jetcareers, would you consider it? Just curious, not trying to start anything.... how about if you approved the ads?
 
Wannabe..you may want to read your companies website..I actually find its inflection rather amusing..

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Being a subsidiary of Delta, we are now the ONLY accelerated flight training facility serving the entire Delta Connection System. Let's face it, being owned by Delta means more opportunity for you.

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Lets face it...going to DCA means that you are naive and gullible..

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In a way, when you enroll in our Academy, you actually begin your interview process for an airline position on the very first day. Delta is one of the fastest growing airlines in the country.

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OK, tell me again how this only refers to Delta Connection and not mainline..If you read DCA marekting on the website, there are never segways between talking about the school and then interjecting some fact about Delta or Delta connection carriers. For example...

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To support the Academy's broader mission, we recently expanded our learning center and added new Frasca 141 and 142 aircraft simulators and a Jet-Transition simulator to prepare students for regional jet operations. With more than 300 regional jets in its fleets Delta Connection has the world's leading regional jet network.

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So am I to assume that I will only succeed with Delta Connections fleet of 300 jet aircraft if I take a jet transition course? Even more confusing to a student that doesn't know any better they may assume that Delta Connection means the academy and that they have the fleet of 300 jet aircraft. Pretty slick if you ask me.
 
Lets face it...going to DCA means that you are naive and gullible..

although you made a couple decent points, you kinda shot your credibility by insulting me, 500 or so current students and instructors and, as of August, 2003, 728 former DCA guys/gals that have been hired as first officers...

i agree, the marketing isn't great, and i would do it differently, but i have not seen any outright lies. many, many companies, including some that advertise right here on jetcareers make claims that force the consumer to interpret them. ATP says in their ad in April 2004's Flying Magazine - "...the fastest, safest, and most economical route to an Airline Career." Is that so? It might be. It might not be. In advertising you want to paint your company in the best light possible. I am sure neither DCA nor ATP are lying, they are just claiming to have great programs that will get you to the airlines.
 
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although you made a couple decent points, you kinda shot your credibility by insulting me, 500 or so current students and instructors and, as of August, 2003, 728 former DCA guys/gals that have been hired as first officers...

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Those 728 are out of how many that enrolled with dreams of making the "Connection"? I know that you took a guess at my previous question and I appreciate that.

However, yankee_one and the rest of the marketing/admissions have still ducked that one. I honestly dont expect an answer from an official with the school because the number is probably quite embarrassing. But we may get an answer you never know, I mean if the Red Sox can make it to the world series anything is possible.
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Until admissions/marketing starts being honest and forthcoming it just makes this school look worse and worse.
 
I mean if the Red Sox can make it to the world series anything is possible.

LMAO!!!

and i do hear what you are saying and actually do agree to a certain extent. i don't think the admissions guys lie, but i know if i were them i wouldn't volunteer information that dosen't make the school look good either... if asked a specific question i am pretty sure you will get a straight answer, but that involves people doing their homework and knowing which quesitons to ask...
 
Let me rephrase, if you attend DCA based on their advertising that would make you naive and gullible...
 
you bet, and that can be said for using/purchasing any product out there from toothpaste, to flight schools, to automobiles etc. etc. etc.
 
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By the way Doug, if DCA wanted to advertise on jetcareers, would you consider it? Just curious, not trying to start anything.... how about if you approved the ads?

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I'd need to see a syllabus, review all ad material they want to run, have several recommendations from trusted users/satisfied customers and get a big "warm fuzzy" from reviewing all of the above information.

Every single one of my advertisers I have on JC are initiated by happy former/present students of the flight school.
 
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Hear that prospective students? Don't buy Comair Academy's lines! Do your research, visit the schools, and make an informed decision!
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Just out of curiousity, what experience do you have with DCA? You apparently know the school and it's procedures and it's quality of training to make such a statement. Or are you just being like the prospective students that you made assumptions about and are trying to warn - uneducated. Doesn't seem too professional to me.

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To show the ridiculousness of such reasoning I'll quote our good friend Lloyd in saying "So, using your logic, you have to try gay sex to figure out that it's not your thing?"

Another Example: So since I ve never used drugs does that not allow me to steer people clear of them? According to the DCA cheerleaders I would have to have a "personal experience" with something before I am even allowed can even comment on it.


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Would you buy a car without test driving (getting experience in) it? DO you explain movies to people and make reccomendations whether to go see it to them without having seen it? Well maybe you would, but most reasonable people don't. For the absurd gay sex comment you seem to be so stuck on, No I wouldn't have to try it because I have tried the hetero route and have experience in that and know I like women. Once again, experience based. The irony I was trying to point out, which you obviously didn't catch, was that this FSA person is telling people to not go to DCA yet tells them next to do their homework. Soooo... I asked what experience he has with DCA to make that statement, because he must have done his homework on DCA as he so advises. My guess is that he doesn't know about the school. Yet, he advises against the school. Let me know what parts of this you don't understand and I will try to s-p-e-l-l it out a little easier for you. You said it best... ridiculous.

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For the record, I didn't tell people to not go there, I told them to do their research carefully before making a decision. I do not fault the students for not being able to decipher your web of misleading marketing. I fault your company for deliberately using misleading statements.

I looked very carefully at Comair 2 years ago, and even spoke at length with a close friend who got all of his ratings there. So yes, I do have personal and close experience with your organization.

No matter how you slice it, guaranteeing an interview SOUNDS more impressive than it really is. I can guarantee you an interview with my friend's software company, but that doesn't mean that you have any better shot at getting hired than anyone else. It is misleading, and dishonest to suggest that you have any special in-road into the industry.

Additionally, I resent the comment you made about me "making it that far." I have left out personal attacks, and I would appreciate the same respect. You know nothing of my career, so stick to what you do know...

And sure, I'll keep talking. You have yet to refute any claim I have made.

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Here's the thing. What are the odds Doug is gonna let them advertise here with their current marketing boilerplate. DCA would have to completely revamp the stuff they say and the way they say it. Not likely gonna happen....though if it did, I'd shut the fuc* up at this forum.

Doug has his personal standards that he can uphold at the site HE owns and runs. It's not about the almightly dollar, like it is at Flight Training, Flying, or AOPA. All those places care about is making a buck. Thus, they don't care about how accurate or realistic the claims made by their advertisers are....as long as they pay their bill.
 
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Additionally, I resent the comment you made about me "making it that far." I have left out personal attacks, and I would appreciate the same respect. You know nothing of my career, so stick to what you do know...

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I apologize for making that statement towards you in haste as I did. It was unprofessional and un-called for on my part.


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Don't buy Comair Academy's lines! Do your research, visit the schools, and make an informed decision!

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For the record, I didn't tell people to not go there, I told them to do their research carefully before making a decision. I do not fault the students for not being able to decipher your web of misleading marketing. I fault your company for deliberately using misleading statements.

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No, you didn't say specifically to not attend DCA. DCA doesn't specifically say "You will be hired by a Delta Connection Airline" either. Yet, you argue the point that the ads are misleading based on your intrepretation of what is said. My take on the ads are that there is an opportunity to become a First Officer with a Delta Connection Airline if I complete the program. Am I wrong for thinking this way? No. Are you wrong for your intrepretation? No. Just as my intrepretation of your statement "Don't buy Comair Academy's Lines!" is a plug to not attend the school. I thought, when reading that, you are accusing DCA of being liars, and I would challenge anyone to show me an ad of DCA's that tells a lie. Not your intrepretation of it, but an outright lie. There isn't one, at least not that I have seen. I agree with you that the prospective student should do their homework carefully. I will be the first to admit that DCA is not the best choice for everyone.

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I looked very carefully at Comair 2 years ago, and even spoke at length with a close friend who got all of his ratings there. So yes, I do have personal and close experience with your organization.

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What was your experience with the school as well as your friend who attained their ratings here? Quite honestly, I am more interested in reading about this type of info than to argue over the marketing. And I am asking honestly, not trying to be a smart a$$.

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No matter how you slice it, guaranteeing an interview SOUNDS more impressive than it really is. I can guarantee you an interview with my friend's software company, but that doesn't mean that you have any better shot at getting hired than anyone else. It is misleading, and dishonest to suggest that you have any special in-road into the industry.

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I would disagree. From my experience, getting a foot in the door is half the battle. You won't get hired if you don't interview or ask for the job. As far as a better shot, versus any other person out there flying, sure you do. As I stated above, you are interviewing. If you mean vs. any other person interviewing, then no. It comes down to the individual at that point to "sell" themself. I am not saying that DCA is the only route to take to get hired by a Delta Connection airline, nor necessarily the best route - that depends on the individual. And all of us at DCA have repetitively stated that. It does provide a good opportunity though for some of us.



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And sure, I'll keep talking. You have yet to refute any claim I have made.

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The only "claims" you made I aggreed with. Your opinions though, I did "refute" them. You even replied to the post.

Ohhh... and UPS, the point of keep talking... Marketing and advertisements are not intended to sell, they are meant to arouse interest and get "traffic flow". The more eyes viewing, the better - although there are those that have developed their own marketing strategies that don't agree with this. Thus, if you keep talking about it, it is showing interest in it (doesn't have to be positive) therefore making the ads effective. The more responses in the DCA thread, the more likely someone at the site will be to read the posts, possibly increasing the chances of calling for more information about the school. I wasn't necessarily being serious in that I meant for you to keep talking about it, we all know how you feel about the ads... was meant to be some "business humor" for a lack of better words.
 
I think it is clear that we will not agree. I also think it is clear to any prospective student that they need to look super carefully before they make a decision, and that is all I care about. It is unfortunate that many people will take what they read, and think it must be true merely because someone took the time to print it.

Regarding my experience with Comair, I actually took the time to crunch the numbers, and I actually talked to students to see what "completion of program" meant. The major difference between FSA and Comair is that everyone who gets their ratings may apply for an instructor job (in the case of CFI), or may apply for the direct track program (in the case of commercia, instrument, multiengine) at FlightSafety. Thus, when FSA says that a certain percentage of students who complete the program and apply get hired, those numbers match up with the actual number who got a rating.

For instance, if 100 people got their CFI, and 80% got hired, then 80 people got hired at FSA. Imagine now that 100 get their CFI at another school, but for some reason 30 do not qualify for completion of program despite having gotten their CFI, so only 70 apply. Of those 70, 68 get hired thus you say that 97% of your applicants get hired when in reality only 68% of those that began the program got hired. Rather sly.

At Comair, the definition of completion involves complications that I am not fully versed in. For the record, please tell us what one must do to get an interview. How many unsat lessons as a student will disqualify you? How much do you have to support the company in word and deed to get an interview? Does your student pass rate as an instructor have to be above a certain level? Last but not least, what percentage of people who get their CFI at your school get hired as an instructor, and what percentage of those that become instructors get that interview?

It is my understanding, through talking with ex-students, that completion of program for you guys involves a lot more than just getting the rating, including some rather complicated politics. I hate that political crap. If someone doesn't "tow the company line" at Comair, they might as well hang it up, and that, my friend, is bullsh*t.

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Berkshire Hathaway owns FSI, but that doesn't mean we get free ice cream at Dairy Queen (another Berkshire Hathaway company).

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G, I hear that the higher-ups are working on some sort of direct-track or guaranteed interview over at DQ. So, FlightSafety may be able to compete with the other schools after all!
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Dave
 
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The major difference between FSA and Comair is that everyone who gets their ratings may apply for an instructor job (in the case of CFI), or may apply for the direct track program (in the case of commercia, instrument, multiengine) at FlightSafety. Thus, when FSA says that a certain percentage of students who complete the program and apply get hired, those numbers match up with the actual number who got a rating.
For instance, if 100 people got their CFI, and 80% got hired, then 80 people got hired at FSA. Imagine now that 100 get their CFI at another school, but for some reason 30 do not qualify for completion of program despite having gotten their CFI, so only 70 apply. Of those 70, 68 get hired thus you say that 97% of your applicants get hired when in reality only 68% of those that began the program got hired. Rather sly.

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It is no different at Delta Connection Academy. DCA does not stipulate who can and can't apply, within their requirements that I will talk about next. As I am sure you have read, there are people here looking for enrollment/hired ratios. This is not the same as those that complete their ratings and apply/hired ratios. I posted previously about this, so I won't repeat it. I am sure at FSA you have students that enroll and don't make it to the interview process for one reason or another, including some who get their CFI. You even stated that those who get their ratings MAY apply for a position. You are not including in your numbers though those who don't apply. You are trying to compare apples to oranges. Rather sly.
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At Comair, the definition of completion involves complications that I am not fully versed in. For the record, please tell us what one must do to get an interview. How many unsat lessons as a student will disqualify you?

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As a disclaimer, I am an instructor and am not part of the interviewing or decision making process, but I will try my best to answer. To get an interview, one must complete at least 2 ratings at DCA and then submit an application. Or, if from the outside, I am not sure, but I think the requirement is 1000TT or maybe 1500. Again, not sure about that scenario. However, for those who enroll as a student, it is clearly stated what one must do in order to qualify for an interview (or it was for me). I attained all my ratings at DCA, so the only thing I did to get an interview was ask for one (by submitting a resume and application). As far as unsats, there is no number that will disqualify you. I personally have pink tickets from FAA rides and busted my share of stage checks, yet I was hired. One of my instructors unsat nearly every stage he had as a student, including FAA rides, yet he was hired as an instructor and is now a FO with Comair Airlines.

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How much do you have to support the company in word and deed to get an interview?

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Not sure what you are really asking there. There are alot of instructors that have never posted here or in any other forum or made any "public" praise for the school. If you don't support the school though, I would expect it to be obvious in one's attitude and work ethic, and in the company's best interest they probably wouldn't be hired. Would you want someone as an employee who doesn't support your company? I never posted here as a student (not that I can remember) or anywhere else, and again, I was hired.

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Does your student pass rate as an instructor have to be above a certain level?

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They would like for you to maintain a 70% pass rate. However, there are instructors that don't have this and they haven't been fired. The only requirement for pass rates is the 141 requirement that we must have an 80% FAA pass rate in order to instruct CFI with only 400 hours dual given.

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Last but not least, what percentage of people who get their CFI at your school get hired as an instructor, and what percentage of those that become instructors get that interview?

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I don't have these numbers, but the 97% you referred to earlier is those instructors who completed their 800 hours dual given to those who have been hired. I think Wannabe posted specifics... somewhere in the 700 range.

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It is my understanding, through talking with ex-students, that completion of program for you guys involves a lot more than just getting the rating, including some rather complicated politics. I hate that political crap. If someone doesn't "tow the company line" at Comair, they might as well hang it up, and that, my friend, is bullsh*t. G

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Again, I am not privy to the hiring process, but from my experience, yes it does involve more than just getting your ratings. It involves maintaining a positive attitude, good work ethic and "people skills". I am not sure what you are implying by "rather complicated politics", but I have never been asked to do something I didn't want to do, I have never been asked to defend or praise the school, I have never even been asked to work hard or harder. That was left up to me as to how hard I wanted to work. I have never had to kiss a$$ or pretend to be someone I am not. If someone is not willing to work hard, keep a good attitude... they will not be hired. Also, as I stated before, DCA is not for everyone. It should not be assumed that those who are no longer here is due to them not "towing the company line" or that those of us here did. I'm sure there is a good reason they aren't here, and it is not because they wouldn't play the "political game". I don't know the ex-students that you refer to, so I can't speak about what they told you, so please tell us what it is they said that they had to do above and beyond getting their ratings and the other characteristics I spoke of.

There are some a$$ kissers here, yes... those that do try and play that game, and I would agree that it is bs. But, there are many more of us here that haven't decided to take that route, and we remain employed. I don't know about FSA as an organization, but I would be willing to bet there are those there that play that game as well.
 
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I think it is clear that we will not agree. G

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I agreed that Berkshire is more solvent and deeper in the pockets than Delta.
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By the way, you might want to ask about those free ice cream cones. As an instructor at DCA and an employee of one of their subsidiaries, we get full flight benefits on Delta and their regional carriers, including buddy passes. Not as tasty as DQ, but beneficial to us and our families.
 
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Berkshire Hathaway owns FSI, but that doesn't mean we get free ice cream at Dairy Queen (another Berkshire Hathaway company).

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G, I hear that the higher-ups are working on some sort of direct-track or guaranteed interview over at DQ. So, FlightSafety may be able to compete with the other schools after all!
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Dave

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I've heard that they are developing a full motion ice cream maker simulator for their scooper bridge program!!!!

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Well, I think we have killed this subject!

Don't forget prospective students, read the fine print, visit EVERY school you might attend, and ask thorough questions.

G
 
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