RIGHT. I have stayed out of this thread for a long time because a) I got sick to death of the self-improver versus CAP509 debate about 4 years ago here and b) Scroggs can well stick up for himself.
However.
I am annoyed by people such as Ivan having a pop at Scroggs and this forum - sometimes you Wannabes need a dose of reality and when a long haul airline ex-RAF pilot takes the time to give it to you when he has a 1,000 better things to do with his time you should be grateful and not carping and complaining.
Nuff said.
I am a self-improver who got his airline job at 1,500hrs light aircraft time and I also taught several self sponsored "509" students and airline cadets (Aer Lingus/Airtours) to fly. There is a huge overlap between the two camps:
The worst airline cadets are are rubbish and the best self sponsored guys are brilliant. Fact, unfair, frustrating but true. You would wonder why some guys got turned down and marvel at how others got hired. Its a lottery OK. Accept it. Lifes not fair after all.
As regards Modular vs Integrated training its not much of a muchness and in time I believe the old hangover - and thats what is, convenient shorthand for time pressed chief pilots - of either 509 or 1000hr+ will dissapear. There is little difference in the training or ability of both systems given the same quality of initial student.
The market for new hire commercial pilots is fantastic.
Two of my good friend students from last year have both got jobs in the last 4 weeks after only very limited searching. I have NEVER known the market to be so good as it is at present.
Therefore you can expect it to detiorate soon as its got nowhere left to go.
Unfortunately few of you remember the early 90's where guys were turning up at the local flying school asking for ad hoc work with 1000's of turboprop hours under their belt and several years of instructing experience.
At the time BA were asking for 3,000hrs experience on one of the types they operated just to apply for direct entry. Now its 500hrs experience over a certain weight equating to a lot of heavy turboprops. And they are finding people are walking away from them when they eventually do offer them a job from the holding pool...
Brymon are a fine fine outfit to work for and it is no use moaning about their requirements. Hell, its easier now than ever to pick up a job that will give you the hours required to apply...
Wannabes need to realise that its very easy to p1ss people off in the industry with your ambition to be flying a jet airliner. Lots of the guys went through the lean years or paid their dues in the air taxi/military/regional business to get where they are today and when they hear someone moaning because a well established scheduled passenger airline doesn't quite meet their appication minima is galling to say the least.
Tack and dimplomacy chaps is 80% of CRM and its a skill that some of you need to develop.
That said this is forum for Joe Wannabe and its fair enough if you want to let of steam. Just expect a bit of steam back at you and value it if you have any sense.
Good luck,
WWW
[ 31 July 2001: Message edited by: Wee Weasley Welshman ]