Training Update

Well after only 3 days of training, I have an entire day off. Then after 3 more days, I'll get 4 days in a row off. Not a bad start.

Since there have been fewer new hire classes, this one is pretty large at 14. There's a pretty good cross section of people. The youngest is my roommate at 22 and the oldest is 44. Experience ranges from absolute zero to previous military and airline flying. I am surprised that there is only one female, a former flight attendant. Everyone is great and we all seem to get along.

The first day was basically in-processing. B O R I N G was the theme for the day. Company history, HR speaker after HR speaker, acknowledgment of corporate policies, procedures, protocol etc. and company ID badging. At least there were plenty of opportunities for breaks and a nice catered lunch was provided.

The next two days were the introduction to our recently implemented addition to pilot training called "Launch", plus security training in order to receive a CVG SIDA (Secure Identification Display Area)badge. A SIDA badge is required to access secure areas at US airports with air carrier operations. Launch is basically an overview of the the CRJ-200. It consists of 2 days of ground school, followed by 3 days of sims (5 a.m. ouch) that culminate with a basic pass/fail sim evaluation.

I think it is a smart move for the company. For an initial $4,000 company investment in sim time, they have the opportunity to see if you are able to adapt to a jetliner. Since they've started launch, the washout rate for pilots that have passed the launch program has decreased dramatically. Better to invest $4-5,000 in a new hire early than $25,000 later only to find that the pilot isn't ready for prime time.

So today is a chance to relax and study before 3 full days of sims. If all goes well during launch, there will be 4 days off before basic indoc starts. Otherwise, there will be many days off!