CTC FLEXICREW - Waste of money or real chances?

[Allioth]

Hi guys!

Almost 6 years have passed since the day I was sweating my soul out during the IR final test... Then went straight for my MCC course with OAA, passed with flying colours and was offered an interview with RYR... Unfortunately I wasn't successful... And THAT, ladies and gents, has been the ONLY interview I've been ever since... I slowly lost hope as no matter how many applications I was sending out, no one was coming back to me... I got rusty, every time I do a renewal it's harder and harder...

Today I found this CTC FLEXICREW thing on their website, and for the first time in 6 years i coud actually afford the costs... But before spending more and more money in a bottomless well, I wanted to know if there's anyone out there who's done it and has actually been given a job by one of the partner airlines...

Is it worth it? How's the selection process? Any hints or tips are greatly appreciated :)

Thanks!

[Bloated Stomach]

Have a look at this thread.

http://www.pprune.org/interviews-jobs-sponsorship/94832-ctc-wings-atp-scheme-merged-52.html

It would be best to start reading the posts from 2011 onwards so you understand how things changed and what you're signing upto. Only you can really decide whether you want to gamble £10K and come out with absolutely nothing.

[PPRuNeUser0173]

I suspect you may find it a waste of money and if you are 35 then I think you would be regarded as too old....but don't worry CTC will still take your money. The fact is there are too many newly qualified pilots chasing too few jobs and please don't fall for the supposed pilot shortage story........."there is no F in pilot shortage!!! Have a read of Put down the dream also. After your experience common sense should make you realise that you will be wasting your money and re-joining the scrap heap of the disappointed.

[Allioth]

Thanks guys... I did think this wasn't going to take me anywhere... But just wanted some extra feedback than only my guts...

And don't worry... I know there's no pilot shortage... and never will be... Loads of crap if you ask me!

Thanks! :)

[michael12345]

Allioth- did :mad: do an integrated course at oaa or just the mcc??

[juniour jetset]

"the scrap heap of the disappointed" ... nifty quote Golfdriver - I like:ok:

[clunk1001]

Any hints or tips are greatly appreciated.


My tip would be : try being a bit younger, perhaps 23 or similar.

[TizerTheAppetizer]

Be 23 ... WHY?

Research has shown again and again that 'older' new employees are more loyal, more reliable, more punctual and better value for money for a company in the long run.

They're also better bets to get promotion to command faster.

I do know of one biz jet pilot who said his company likes to recruit 'older' pilots (even those straight from school) because the passengers assume the pilot is very experienced, and like that.

Unfortunately in the West we still tend to discriminate against 'older' people ... but then what is old?

As life expectancy continues to increase (medicine etc etc) and the health of older people gets better (OK, a generalisation, but it's basically true), I would bet that at some stage in the future the retirement age for pilots will increase to 70.

[BAe 146-100]

They're also better bets to get promotion to command faster.

Proof of this where? :confused:

[TizerTheAppetizer]

Speak to training captains ... they will tell you.

[clunk1001]

You can quote all the research in the world but the FACT is that airlines today want young inexperienced cadets with little in the way of life experience.

The motivation behind their selection criteria is off topic and could fill pages of some other forum - but they are certainly not looking for loyalty, or punctuality.

GA and regionals are more open. But that isn't what the OP is talking about here.


Allioth - having been in your exact situation a few years ago (I was 34, 4 years searching with no joy) I elected not to do the CTC course despite being offered a place on the ATP.

However consider this - if an airline invited you to a sim-check tomorrow would you be sharp enough to pass?

I've heard of people doing the ATP just to sharpen their skills. And that was why I considered it.

it may put you in a better position to pass a sim-check if you were invited to one (whether through CTC or not). So if you consider this as a purely self funded training course and don't expect anything from CTC afterwards then it may be worth a shot.

[Private jet]

To the OP;

I'm sorry but you've had a very expensive experience of the modern flight training industry. No morals, no scruples, but its not illegal or technically a "con" because they fulfil their part of contract to train you. Whether the airline wants you or not is not down to them and its not their concern. I was no big fan of the old CAA, but the rot started 15 years ago with JAR and its got worse since then.

[Piloto2011]

Allioth, Have you tried joining a gliding club and taking it from there?

[centropy]

While I'm not recommending anything, I was 34 when I got placed through the AQC course. I was lucky, others have not been.

Good luck in whatever you choose.

[clunk1001]

Just for the sake of a balanced perspective Centropy - were you a 250hr wannabe when going into the AQC? Or were you perhaps from a different background?